PEACE DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 124, 19 February 1919, Page 8

PEACE DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND

JHKiili I/Aid IMiEiDliAlll/ftc)

THE OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. W. Russell) stated yesterday that lie had submitted to Cabinet proposals for peace celebrations. With slight modifications his draft had been approved. As passed by the Government the statement is as follows: —

1. The Government leaves to the patriotism and discretion of. the people the manner in which, through the local governing bodies or otherwise, peace shall lie celebrated.

2. the celebrations will bo on tho Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday after peace is proclaimed. The two later days will be declared public holidays. 3. The Government appeals to all employers to grant their employees—domestic, and industrial—all possible,leave during the celebrations, and to' pay full wages and salaries for the p<?ace celebration days. i. In anticipation of the proclamation of peace it is desirable that local governing bodies should at once take steps to prepare for the (a) By calling meetings in their various districts for the purpose of organisation and determination of the form of celebration to bo adopted, (b) By determining what funds are to be expended, and how. (c) By collecting funds for ,tho purpose. 5. The Government has, by Section 30 of the Appropriation Act, 1918, validated all expenditure properly made by local governing bodies and societies in peace celebrations.

6. The following are the reco umenilv tions of the Gtvernment:—

Peace Sunday. Recognising that victory has been gaiued by the blessing of Almighty God, the Government recommends that the first day of the celebration should be a day of tlmuksgiving, unci that appropriate services should bo held, botn morning and evening, in all chur-.ik's, chapeis, and other buildings where Divine service is usually held. In tho afternoon combined open-air services, arranged beforehand by the clergy of the respective churuhcs imd denominations, should be held in town halls, parks, gardens, etc. At these services the assistance of hands, 'combined choirs, musical societies, etc., should bo secured/Music should be a prominent featuro of tho service. Suitable hymns and national songs should be sung. Leaflets containing the selected hymns and songs should be printed and held ready for use. Addresses should be short and pointed, each speaker being requested to deal, with 'one phase only of the great subject. It is suggested that amongst the hymns and songs to be sung should be the following:—"0 God, Our Help in Ages Past," the One. Hundredth Psalm, "Rule Britannia," and Kipling's "Recessional." Tlvc National Anthem, will close the service, the full hymn being sung. Peace Monday. .

At 8 a.m. a salute, to be fired where artillery is available. At 10.30 a.m. processions lo be formed, comprising: Returned soldiers, 'naval ratings, members of the Expeditionary. I'orces, Territorials, Cadets, Boy Sco.uts, Girl Scouts, military nurses and nurses from hospitals where soldiers aro located, Veterans, Consuls of the Allies, decorated "lorries, wagons, tableaux, etc., bands, friendly societies, Orders and Lodges, Judges, members of Parliament, members of public bodies, women's societies, employers' unions, Labour unions, mercantile inariue, athletic societies, automobile societies, war trophies, Red Cross societies, St. John Ambulance Brigade. "Marshals should be appointed for tho procession, v and the location of each section should bo arranged, in order (hat each may enter the procession at tho appointed time. At suitable points on the line of routo platforms should be erected upon which tho school children could be massed. Choirs should be located to lead the singiiig.-of appropriate, national hymns.'

All Government buildings aj'o to be suitably Wagged; the Hags of Britain, ihe Dominions, and the Allies will be prominently displayed. The line of routa 'to be decorated with triumphal arches, Venetian poles, and flags from all public and private buildings At noon.on Monday, a silent, bareheaded tribute for one minute -will-.be paid universally to the brave and honoured dead, and all trains. and trams will temporarily cease running, and all employment cease while tho tribute is being paid/ t Lunch should be provided for all soldiers, cadets, and scouts. In the afternoon, military reviews, tournaments, athletic events, competitions, etc., should be held in suitable parks. The object of the celebrations is threefold :--(1/ To express pur gratitude for victory; (2) (o recognise the splendid services of our soldiers; (3) to specially impress the minds of- our children with the great event celebrated. '''

The Government regards the last its not of least importance. It is therefore recommended that the children bo afforded every facility for taking part by being niars'halled at the public functions. They should be trained beforehand in th* singing of the National Anthem and selected hvmns and national Eonss. and on the Soldiers' Day should assemble .at their schools ami either mnrch to their rendezvous or proceed thithc-r, by trams, cars, or conveyances with patriotic, (lags flying nn route. In the evening 'there ivill be carnival prncrssions in masquerade -and charade costumes,' to-be organised by University, College, Fish School. Athletic, Theatri. c.i.l: end ArtipHc Societies.

Both days will close with :11n.minations. For this purpose, bonfires should be Hunted on every hill overlooking our cities and towns, fireworks lie. discharged at. suitable places under safe conditions, and the fire brigades be invited to assist with their full available power. The Government does .not "recommend, owing (o the shortage, of coal and "material, (hat illuminations should be eeneraily adopted, but it does recommend that at suitable points in all cities and boroughs, illuminations should be set up in honour or peace, public buildings illuminated, and the streets festooned with electric ii»hts. Tuesday—Children's Day. The children to- 'be assembled in suitable parks, with bands, mnrqueeis, etc. Returned soldiers aud sailors to bo invited to attend.- . Competitions,. athletic events, singing, Highland dancing, tableaux.

Lunch, sweets, and flags to be provided. A souvenir peace medal for every school child on the rolls will be provided by the Government. There will be ■ illuminations on the Tuffa-dny evening, as on the Monday, also masquerade processions. Bands should everywhere be organised and employed in order to assist the celebrations. '. . Subsidies. The following subsidies will bo granted by the Government:— To any local body which expends .£IOOO or more, whether provided from ordinary funds or voluntary contributions, 10s. in £; .£750, 12s. 6d. subsidy; ■£500, 15s. subsidy; .£250, 17s. Cd. subsidy; .£IOO or less, 20s. subsidy. •/ ' In addition to these subsidies, the Governmont will provide for the railway fnires of returned soldiers to the nearest city or town, and the railway fares of children from ru.ral districts to the nearest city or town.

In each 'borough the expenditure will be controlled by the council, with whom will be associated n representative of tho Defence Department and the Department of Internal Affairs.