PEACE DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 237, 1 July 1919, Page 8

PEACE DAY

MODIFIED JUBILATION

HALF-HOLIDAY PROCLAIMED

FUNCTION AT TOWN HALL

Wellington hardly knew its own mind as to the manner in ivhich it would celebrate ttie signing of the Peace Treaty, which means so.much to the war-weary nations ivhich have participated in the greatest struggle of all times. It was apparent' that the reason for this indecision and indefiniteness of action was the controversy that has taken place as to the dates on which peace celebrations were to take , place. However, the occasion was too momentous a one in our history to let pass so taiuelj'. A good allow of bunting was made in the city during the forenoon, and at about 11 a.m. the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) made it known through the newspaper offices that he would be pleased if the busiuess people would observe a half-holiday in honour of the occasion. He also arranged a function at the Town Hall, and invited the Acting-Prime Minister to speak, a function which passed off very ciuietiy,- without arousing in the breasts of those present any marked ebullition of that exuberant joy which was a characteristic of Armistice Day. Gradually the news spread round town that a half r liolidAv had been declared, and aigood many of the more central offices, warehouses, and shops closed down for the day at 1 p.m. Others who either did not learn the news or heard it too late, observed the war-time axiom "business as usual," so the recognition of Peace Day in Wellington was a half-and-half occasion.

Tho battery at Mount Cook was probably more responsible for spreading the news that peace could be celebrated than any other agency, a salvo of a hundred and one suns being fired. In the State schools fitting references to tho fateful day and its significance were nmdo by most of the headmasters. Cheers were given for the Allies, and the children, whose emotions took fire at once, were dispersed in the greatest glee, and were told that they wero free for the rest of the "day. 'i'iik Wellington College and Girls' College were also given a halfholiday.

TOWN HALL FUNCTION SPEECH BY SIR JAMES ALLEN VIEWS ON TEE LEAGUE OF NATIONS. Probably owing to the short notice that was given, the meeting of citizens which was ncld in the Town Hall at 1215 p.m. was not very largely attended. At rirst it 1 was intended that tlic speech-maning should take place from a balcony outside tho Town Hall, but owing to tuo chilliness cf the wind it was decided to conduct the function indoors. There was an assemblage of about 500 persons, who mostly gathered in the body of the hall. The Mayor (Mr. J. I J . Luke, M.l , U.M.Ct.), presided, and on the platform were: The Acting-Primo Minister (Sir James' Allen), Councillors A. It. Atkinson, li. A. Wright, Al!\, L. M'Kenssie, J M. Dale, T. Forsyth, and C. J. B. Norwood. Messrs. (J. A. Wilkinson and G. Forbes, M.IVs, were also present at tho gathering. .An apology for absence was received from Hie Hon. W. D. b. Macdonald. The only speakers wero the Mayor, the (Acting-Prime Minister, and Councillor Atkinson In opening the proceedings, the Mayor said he was sure that all present would join with lulu and the rest of the people of New Zealaud in rendering thanks for the great news that had come to. hand. Had time permitted, he was 6ure tliat the hall would not have accommodated all who would have wished to be present, but although they were few in num'bers,. their hearts were full of warmth and appreciation at the noble sacrifices that had been made in so great a cause. Those whose sons had taken part in tlie Great War must havo felt great exultation because the enemy had been defeated and had signed a peace that had been imposed upon lvmi. (Applause.) Yet they coultl not assemble without feelings of sorrow for those who had lost sons in the light, and ( ho was sure the deepest feelings of sympathy went out to all those who had been beriilT of sons ami daughters in carrying out their part in the great contest. Their sympathies would 'also go to the sick and wounded who had suhered in the cause of righteousness. The occasion was the most unique and the most important not only in the history of New Zealand, but in the history of the whole of tho British people. No greater sacrifices could have been endnred than those which had been borne by Great Britain and the Allies in defeating a wicked and cruel enemy. They rejoiced tlint the Allies had been sufficiently strong to impose upon the Central Powers, a peace that would not only have tho best results for the Allied communities, but would give Germany and the other enemy Powers a great opportunity to become more civilised than they had been up to the present time. (Applause.) They were very lhanlcfiil to realise Hint the Allies had not relaxed any principle that would have affected the honour of Great Britain or the' Associated Powers. Peace might have 'been brought very much earlier had they weakened onvtlie priniarv question, but it was a matter tor the'greatest satisfaction that those, who had assembled at Versailles had imposed conditions which would prevent Germany Mid the other enemy Powers from ever nsain menacing the of 1 he■ world. (Applause.) The people of New Zealand had every reason to bo thankful that the Government had exercised sagacity in their work during the war. "] want to proclaim to-day," said Mr. Luke, "that it meant a lot of sagacity and a lot of determination to carry out our part in tho great contest. May I publicly declare to-day that if it had no I: been for the National Government putting aside all party questions, we would not have played such, an important part as we did in connection with Ihe war. (Applause.} No man is entitled to greater credit than Sir James Allen.". It was a great tribute to Sir .Tames Allen that he had been able to do so much during the war. Tho Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward wore also entitled to the thanks of the people of New Zealand for what they had done in connection with ( the drafting of the Peace Treaty, which, having become an actual piece of legislation, would affect not only the Empire as a whole, but New Zealand in pari'j'tilar. It was the dutv of the people of New Zealand to seo that all those who had suffered bv the war were cared for properly. (Applause.) The Minister of Defcnce, : Sir James Allen was received with applause when ho rose to speak. "I don't know that I feel much jubilation* todav," said Sir James. "I do feel thankfulness—thankfulness the war has ooine to an end, and that peace is signed. One can hardly jubilate when one comes to loot back over the last four or five years'; when one thinks of ( tho loss of human life, and the destruction of property, one can hardly feel any ■spirit of jubilation. But one can be thankful for what the men and women of the Empire lmve done, for what our soldiers hove done. Ono can be thankful for that, thankful that, their efforts —the efforts of those who will not come back, of tlioso who come back to us wounded and maimed, end of those who are coming baclc to us' well—havo been crowned with success. T don't want to look back on tho last four years. Would that we could blot the whole thing from our memories, Iho origin of it, the cause of it. and tho curge of it. ?-'o, I don't want to look back. 1 want to iook forward. We have learned ninny lessons during this time of war. I

What of the Future? "We have culled upon our citizon?, whatever their rank, to como out and stand alongside one another 011 an equality, to fight for their nation. I'm- llieir nation's existence, to fight for freedom. They have come out and fou?ht together, mail and mail, as citizens of New Zealand, citizens of the Empire, and I wonder what they are going to do now that the war is over? We cannot help feeling the spirit of unrest, when we realise tho unrest prevailing in NewZealand—not 60 much hero in New

MaiKWnd elsewhere , throughout tho it >K H 18 ,e " 10 outcome of von'■ , we ' during the last four jea >, reformed ourselves, and regenerated our natures? And are we in a ™I,!T 1° n te , 11 llew and tetter ) • .1, doll l know how that question is io bo answered. J do not know what answer the Churches can give, what answer the men and women ot our country can glve to it, but [ have my own noubt as to whether we can do all we ought to do unless wo have learned sonu ol tlie lessons of the past four or five years, there is nothing so important to all of us at the present time as the relationship uf man and man, and 1 wonder whether we can improve it. We in New Zealand flatter ourselves that wo have been leading the world, and to a largo extent we have, by legislation and by our actions, done ,<i certain number of wise things. % I think that New Zealand is filled with an active-minded people, and a fair-minded people, and I wonder whether we can help the world to devise better things for the future. The League of Nations. "The League of Nations is part of tho peace, so we understand. I. don't know whether the League of Nations is going to carry out the purposes for w;liieh it was formed, but every man anil every woman must approve of the principles of the League of Nations, and we must all help to see that what the League of Nations wants to do will be done. 1 don't know whether it will be successful or not. I question its success unless we have learned lessons of regeneration during the last tew years, If the people of k the world have not learned those lessons, then we mar be trusting to that which will fail ,us at the critical moment. , I don't know what you feel, as Britishers, hut I know what I feel as a Britisher. 1 feel that duriug" many years past our nation set itself to do justice to its own people and to every nation'with which its people came in contact. We have a name for justice which I think wo have rightly earned, and if that be so can we afford to trust our fate simply to the League of Nations? I would that this were possible. But can we, who depend almost absolute".)' for our lines of communication and exchange .of produce on the Navy, can we to whom tho sea is everything, afford to dispense with the British Navy? I say it is essential—League of Nations or uo League of Nations—that we should keep open the paths of the sea. which link tho different parts of the Empire. (Applause.) Britain's Prestige. "I am thankful that our nation has come out of this with prestige higher than ever it was before. 1 am thankful that when the great statesmen of the world met in Paris our statesmen wert> not second to any that were there. (Applause.) From what 1 have heard, and I believe the source of my information to bo sound, the British statesmen at the Peace Conference—l say it in no boasting spirit—stood out pre-eminent We have reason to be thankful that this was so. It was said before the war that our race was decaying. 1 don't think wo can find much decay now. I think that the war ha? shown that, notwithstanding ' that new nations havo formed themselves in newer parts of the world, the men of the Motherland are as virile, have as good brains, and can use them as well as the men of any other nation. W J e ought not to boast about this. W r o ought to eit down now solemnly to determine that in the years to come we will allow nothing to develop in the Motherland, so far as we can help it, or in our own country, that shall drag us down to a lower scale. What we have to do is so to arrange our existence in the futuro that in a spirit of justice, a spirit ot equity, of truth, and righteousness, we may elevate our nation, and tho Euipiro itself, to a higher standard, that we may occupy, ■as we have occupied during many past years, tho position of being an example to other nations in our dealings with them, and with thoso who come under us for our control. No na•tion has dealt with those whom it has had under control in the same broadminded spirit as we Britishers have. The Monarch. "Lastly, I want to make reference, and again in a spirit of thankfulness, for the news that appears in this niorningVpapers regarding our King and Queen. (Applause.) I am a . believer in democracy, and I believe that democracy should have all its rights, 'but 1 am satisfied, from my knowledge of past years and especially from my knowledge of the past four years, that a democracy with the fullest powers, rights, and liberties exists under such a limited monarchy as wo Britishers havo. I say'that the attitude of Ilis Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen, their sympathy, their proved and tried sympathy and kindness, have done a great deal to keep us together and to help lis to win tho war. (Applause.) I don't know that some people fully realiso what an important factor it is in human life and in the lives of nations to have somebody at the head who can be sympathetic in all the nation's trials and difficulties. Thank God we havo that in our present King. ''One could go on saying very much more, but the limo is not a time for speech. It is a timo for solid thought mid solid determination—tho thought, of all we havo been through and of what we have to face, and solid determination to face it, and all our difficulies, with that spirit of British pluck and endurance, with that spirit of British truth nnd justice, which has always characterised men of our race." (Applause.)

Germany Humiliated, 'Councillor Atkinson said that the feeling within their hearth- was not that of jubilation, but rather one of thankfulness and relief. Sir James Allen liad said that he did not look back upon the last four or five years with satisfaction, and could hardly bear to contemplate the horrors that had taken place—in fact, lie had rather wished that they could bo entirely blotted'out. No doubt that was how tliey all felt, but it had to ,bc remembered that unless tliey could have blotted . out about 50 years of previous history the events of the fivo years they had just passed through were practically inevitable. If Germany had been allowed to go on—indeed, if she had allowed herself to go 011 and benefit by the hospitality—the too generous hosj pitality—of the British Empire—she ! might have attained by "peaceful pene- ! tration" the commercial mastery of the [ world. In spite of tlio horrors of the last few years, tliey had. reason to be tliankj ful that Germany elected to strike when | she did. If she had waited a few years, j or even a few months, she would' have, j found Britain Jess prepared, and would j have been belte? prepared herself io wrench our liberties from us. There had I never been- such arrogance aud such j criminal conspiracy against the world as that "which had been witnessed during | the war. In considering tlio ceremony that took place at Versailles 011 Saturday, j it well to make a contrast with the | events that took place in the same room nearly fifty years Ago after the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War. The ; most terrible attempt at world-mastery : that ever was seen had now been followed by the most utter 'humiliation and : ignominy to which any great Power Lad been subjected. "Wo have been thinking ! ever since the armistice that Germany j lmd not learned she was beaten," Conii- ' cillor Atkinson continued. "I cannot ( help thinking that she has learned it tn- ; day, if she knows that the Treaty has I been signed." There might be imperfections in tho Treats', there might lie : points 011 which it did not. go far 'enough, and thero might be other points on which it went too far, but the Allies had it> in their own hands to relax anything that was too severe. ' But, the soldiers who got Germany down and the statesmen who had pinned her down were not going to relax onn iota unless there was ample evidence -that Germany was qualifying herself for 11 position among i the civilised nations of Hie world. (Ap- j plause.) The Allies were not going to | take anything on trust, or bo influenced j by a few pious resolutions, or a national j week of mourning, or whatever -?l?e Germany chose to go in for by way of appealing to (ho sympathies of tlio world. They might diink no»v they had got * Germany down that they could take things easily, aud that tliey could rely upon the League of Nations to protect them and enable them to "live happily ever afterwards." lie did not think anything better could have been uttered i than Sir .Tames Allen's warning against I hat most dangerous delusion. The League of Nations would leave things very much as they were before, and, if tliev were not very careful, the League might make things a good deal worse. "If wo trust io the automatic operation of the League of Nations," continued

Councillor Atkinson, "we shall bo trustink' to what is nothing better than moonshine. The League of Nations will have iust such armies and navies as the nations choose to provide, anil it will he n. disgraceful performance on the part of the British people if, having won this great war by the help of the Navy, they decide io scrap the Navy or any part of it. In this connection lam eorry to see tint in Chrisloiiurch some ministers of the Gospel have been attacking the training scheme prwp.isi'd by Sir Jnmcs Allen and have been saying that now the League of Nations has been formed we arc bound in honour to reduce our defences, and show wo are lovers of peace. If that is so we may have, to face the horrors of the last few years over again. The League, of Nations will be oxfictly as we make it, and.tho British Empire must rely on its forces, as in (he past, for its protection. And New Zealand will disgrace the ?mt men who have fought during tho last few years if it does not do its share- in. the defence of the Umpire " (Applause.l The proceedings concluded with the singing of tho National Anthem. MESSAGE FROM GENERAL RUSSELL Ry Telesranli—Press Association.Hastings, June 30. Oii receiving official news that.peace had been signed, General Sir Andrew Russell handed the following message to tho Press Association:—"Congratulations to all those who have served in the war, in that, peace has put tho seal of success on your work, and especially to those seriously wounded, r lid to the relatives and friends of those who have ]aid down their lives, in that their sacrifice has not been in vain." CELEBRATIONSELSEWHERE By Telegraph-Press Association. Hamilton, June 30. The news that peace had been signed was received with great jubilation. Bells rang, syrens screeched, a largo crowd gathered, the band played patriotic airs, a procession was formed, and speeches of thanksgiving were given by representative men. Wairoa, June 30. The news of the signing of peace was received more .quietly than usual, owing tu so many false alarms. Bells rang, sirens and buzzers tooted, and flags were flown liberally. Wanganui, June 30. A public thanksgiving service was held at noon to-da.v, when thanks were expressed to God for the coming of peace, and a motion carried ■.leclarin.e unswerving loyalty to the King and country, and also of gratitude to the soldiers of, the Allied forces, whose heroism and devotion had achieved a righteous peace. Conies of tho resolution are to I>* submitted to the Commanders-in-Chief of the British and Allied ■ Forces, also to General Eichnrdson. Auckland, June 30. The Field Artillery at StanW Point fired.-twenty-one rounds to e'ebrat" the signing of peace. All the fiagstaffs on public and business premises had colours displayed. DuneHin. June 30. The Mayor telegraphed to *>ir Jnmes Allen IhU morn'itig offifi" l confirmation of the signing of the neaee Treaty. When this came.to hand, short'v after' noon, etuis were lired and tho Town Hall bell was rung. A. large crowd assembled, and addresses were given. Operations on Hie waterfront were suspended at 10 o'clock. Waimatfi/Jnn" 30. A. half-holiday is bcip<r he'd. Beßs are ringing and tho band is out. Napier, June 30. Beyond the firing of a salute of 21 guns' on the Parade there were no public celebrations in regard to the signing of peace.

Timaru, Juno. 30, The only peace celebrations here were tho ringing of lwlls. the blowing: of whistles, and tho flying of lings at the request of the Mayor. Invercargill, June 30. The si»ning' of the Peace Treaty was announced by sirens and bells in tho morning, and flt 11 o'clock the Jfayorof Invercargill addressed a email gathering in Post Office Scmare. He. stated that he had. had no official notification of the signing, and could give no notice to tho citizens of any ceremonies. Tn the nfternoon the Mayor spoke at a larger gathering, and deplored that thoußh the Government had given the schools and Ijppartments a holiday it had not otlicially informed the Mayors. The Government had fixed a prolamine for the Dominion, but had not taken the JJnvors into its confidence at any stage, and the present position was bevond a jolt?. He asked the citizens to observe a holiday. .4 few shops closed at once, and later, when it band of returned soldiers visited those remaining open, requesting them to close, the shutters were put. up. Bands paraded in the streets, and tho town was gay /with bunting.

The news of the signing of peace was received very quietly in Pelmio yesterday, a. few factory whistles proclaiming the'news. The schools were closed for the afternoon, and a few shops also observed a half-holiday.

SEA POWER AND THp LEAGUE SIR JAMES ALLEN'S MESSAGE. • The following Peace message to the ' piioi)lo of New Zealand was' given to the Press yesterday- for publication:— "Peace is signed, and one fervently hopes it may be lasting. Fortunately the Umpire has come through without 'any very serious menace to lines of communication. Losses of ships have been heavy, and loss of lives at sea not light, but there has been no disastrous interruption to transport of men or merchandise. Wo have to thank the British Navy, the Mercantile Marine, and the fleets of our Allies for this exemption from destruction of our lines'of communication. Jt does not need a very vivid imagination to realise what would have happened had we not held control of the sea; and it would be fatal to the future existence of the Empire if we rest satisfied that control of sea communications will always lio with us without looking far away into the future to secure ourselves.

"From Australia and New Zealand men and food supplies have unintei'j vuptedly been dispatched to the aid of the Mother Country during the war, ami ouj; people have lived in safety. Under different circumstances it may be otherwise; indeed, it is possible to conceive conditions under which we could not send help, nor could assistance be rendered to us. Under such circumstances, what would our fate be?

"Those who drew up tfis Peace Termf have designed, as they 110 doubt 'believe, means to prevent war in the future. The League of Nations may achieve this noble purpose, and one prays that this may bo 60, and it is well that the experiment should be tried, it is, however, but an experiment, and unless there lie power behind the League jit is not difficult to conceive that ;,t may fail in its purposes. Peaceful penetration is not, as far as one can judge, prohibited by the League, and peaceful penetration as practised by our late foes may be their policy, and the policy of others, in the keen competition for trade and power in the future. Scraps of paper have been torn up; who can say they may be im. plicitly relied 011 after the experience of the past? . , "If the peoples of tho world have become regenerate; if the lessons of the war have taught them that men were created not to kill, hut to live together in harmony and peace, competing fair and square in tho struggle of life, then the League will achieve the purposes for which it has been designed. "With our knowledge of what may be in the hearts and minds of the men of the various nations, can we say that regeneration of human souls lias been brought about during the last live years? If we cannot, then the League may prove io be but a broken reed."