EMPIRE PEACE FESTIVAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 253, 21 July 1919, Page 7

EMPIRE PEACE FESTIVAL

GEEAT WEEK-END REJOICINGS HIGH CARNIVAL IN WELLINGTON PROCESSIONS, SPORTS, AND GAY DECORATIONS

Peace Day was symbolised for the citizens of Wellington by suiaH boys riding on captured German guns, 'i'ne Hi«ociatiou of happy, childhood and the grim instruments of destruction would have been utterly iucongrous during the dark yews of war. It became right and fitting in the dawn of peace, whsn the rusty, battered guus were no longer specimens of menacing naemy armameuts, but wore- relics of unhappy days that the nation ivae putting behind it. So (.lie guns clattered along city streets with clusters-of joyful youngsters ou barrels, , carriages, and limbers'. .Probably it did not occur to anybody to attempt depriving the boys of their gay unauthorised ride. Peace- Day, indeed, was very much a children's day, and rightly so. It was on the children, after all, that the shadows .of war fell most heavily and most unjustly during nearly live years of effort, sacrifico, and sull'ering.

Wellington wore the dress of patriotic enthusiasm on Saturday. Flags were everywhere. Many plans ot decoration had bfen discussed during the months I hat separated the armistice from Peace Day, but it seemed that in the end the citizens had decided unanimously that their feelings could not bo expressed except by flags. So the Union Jack, the French Tricolour,, America's Stars and Stripes, Japan's Eising Sun, and the flags of all the lessor allies . fluttered from staffs, windows, verandahs; doorways, and balconies; they hung across tho streets, Iwiued. the posts, and iilled the. shop windows. The ensigns of New Zealand and the other Britisn dominions wero there also, and then there were Hags that appeared to have been evolved lor the occasion—or perhaps they were intended for adoption by some of the new States that are to have tho Peace Treaty for a birth certificate. The tale of flags did not stop with the decorations, for there wero flags in hats, hands, and buttonholes, on motor-cars, tranicars, and steamers. B-are indeed was tho child.that did not wave a flag; ae raro the child tha-t had stayed at home. ■ ■

The people of Wellington took part in the peace celebrations almost en masse. Never was there so large a leathering in the- streets of the city before, and never was .there an occasion' on which, enthusiasm was more general and heartfelt , . The wild gaiety of Armistice Day, when the tension of war was first relaxed, was lacking, but in its place there whs feeling deeper and stronger. The people started tj pour into the central streets from the suburban areas early in the , morning, 'and by ■ nine o'clock. the tide uf traffic had set 60 strongCiy towards the city that the trams were unable to lift hall the loads that were offering. Large groups wailed at corners while car after car, packed to the steps, passed without stopping. People were still pouring inwards when the procession started. But everybody arrived somehow, though some kter-coniers had to pursue the procession southwards, and before 11 o'clock tho suburbs wore a most straugdy- deserted appearance. Tlisro ivas some movement outwards early in the rfternoon. Then as the evening approached tho tide sot towards the centro again, and between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. ■ packed Mrs were again tho rule. The men who kept tho tramways going were almost the solo people at work on Saturday, and by accepting a severe day's labour instead of a holiday they made >x>ssible tho pleasure of thousands of women and children who otherwise could not have reached the processions at all. The Government had asked that at midday all activities should cease throughout New Zealand and the people should stand for five minutes in reverence to the Dominion's brave dead. The suggestion was very generally accepted, and during the silent minutes it was not difficult to understand that for many thousands of people Peace pay v>as bringing sadness as well as rejoicing. There were wives and children, fathers and mothers, sisters and sweethearts, for whom the memory of tho dead was the realisation of irreparable personal Ices. "Hush! We're to think about Daddy," said a little child whose clear voice assured 6ilence-.in at least one group. The names of very many men whose bodies are in soldiers' graves on foreign soil were whispered while Peace paid her tribute to the New Zealand boys who had not feared the grim face of war and who, in dying, had made it possible that day for the flags to flutter so gaily in the eunshine. Tho sports at Newtowri Park attracted a great crowd in the afternoon. The streets beoame quiet when tho procession had passed, but although shops were 6liut and food and drink were difficult to obtain, the people who remained in the city did not seem to feel that the celebration flagged. In the evening the torchlight procession wended its way among dense lines of people. The bonfires by that time -were blazing on the hiKa, and it was possible from aiupleva-tion-to see no fewer than eight of these joy beacons ■flaming : at the saino time. Rockets were rising over Pctone, and at various points in the suburbs 'before the official fireworks display began in Oriental Buy. By nine o clock the crowds were thinning rapidly, for there were many little heads that were nodding and little feet that were grown weary. Two hours later tho trams had neatly completed the immense work of their day, and midnight found the city streets almost deserted, their bravery of flags still flapping and whispering in the wind. Peace Day had been celebratedi saturdahTfestival . • THE GREAT PROCESSION. Wellington was early astir on Saturday morning for tho great procession. Many of thoso concerned woke with the chilly dawn to complete tho work of decorating their vans and motor-cars, and putting the final daylight touches to their previous night's job. As early as 8 a.m. the joy- waggons began to move, and at a- little , after 9 a.m. most of those concorned had lined up in their places (according ,to section) in Bunny and Feathorston Streets, and each marshal found tliat his duties were comparatively light, so plain and completo were the instructions issued to all as to position. It was a masterpiece of organisation, and much kudos is duo to tho chief marshal (Mr. Joseph Lowis) and his assistants. Promptly ftt 10 a.m. tho Mounted Police moved out from Bunny. Street into lambton Quay, and the biggest procession seen in Wellington commenced its long march through the city to Newtown Park. The head of the procession was taken by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, in his robes of office, nud the Mayoress, and following him came curs containing tho members of the City Council and leading officials. Next in order was ft motor brougham with the Hons. Sir Francis Bell, Sir William Frsscr, J. A. Ilannn, W. H. Herriee,. and A. Myers (representing the Government), and behind them, in a specially decorated car that almost obscured the identity of the occupant;, was the representative of tho British Navy, Captain Hall-Thomp-son, Naval Adviser to tho (iovernmnnr, who was accompanied by Airs. llall-Thompsor nnd -Midshipman HnllTl'.omnsoii (of TI.At.S. New Zealand). TV Consuls mi(l Consular Agents occupied several motor-cars, and each enr ■ was decorated according to (ho part playpd in the war by tho country represented within. Before tho ear of tho Coiipul for the United States, for example, was flown a huge Stars and Stripes banner, but tho neutral Consuls glided along with sober undocoratod dignify. Four car-loads of Army nurses followed. Veterans of Yesterday and To-day. The firet big epiasli of colour in the procession was furnished by a great motor lorry, bcetrung with the gayest of bunting, and containing veterans of

campaigns' fought in ' the Crimea, India, . China, New Zealand, Egypt. Smith Africa, and ilsewhero in which Old England has played her part. The veterans wove cheered to the echo when.they were identified bv the masses at street corners. After the veterans came six car-loads of invalid soldiers from the military hospitals at Trenthsnn and Jlininmr, in same cases seated with nurses, gallant fellows all, not in hospital blue, bu.t with hand" of blue fn their left arms to signify their state. These, 100, wero cheered, often"'by,those with misty eyes; prokrbly remembering a° the poet has it— . ."."■■' ".Aj?<l he who never War's destruction knows, Can niizs not Peace, or aught that Peace bestows." ( Then, headed by the- reinforcements' mascot (Mr. 'Rutherford, the 'little bootmaker." ofFeathorston) white-headed, aslnw with pride, as the day he first walked "over the top" (of the Rimutakas) with the "Firsts." came the returned ?nldiers. a fine, hard-bitten lot of men, numbering between 500 and COO, and marchinir well, with a brass band in. front and a skirling , 'QuHie's" band behind. The Rumble of German Guns. Then for the first time in history was heard tho rumble of Gorman guns through the city streets. There was a, time when the faint-hearted might have iniacined that we may.have hoard them here to ouite another tune, but on this occasion they were towed through the street's, battered,, chipped, and faintly , camouflaged trophies of the prowess of our arms on the field—and quite properly drawn,[mud-carts used as limbers. '£ he biar 5.9 naval gun.made a sensation, and looked a fine old souvenir, as it rumbled alone;, its long snout forming, a firm saddle for a dozen lads or more.

A whiff of the prairies was suggested ,bv a group, of mounted cowboys, in full reaalia. who caracolled along in sportive mood to the rythmical din of the nearest band. Behind the "Wild Westers' , came a small troupe of Mounted Rifles, under the command of Lieutenant Alan Smith, tlin Natives' Association Band, and the Terriloriale.in good strength, under Colonel G. F. C. Campbell. A small body, of; men who followed attracted considerable attention. ■■-.. This was half-a-dozen members of the Legion of Frontiersmen, under Lieutenant Saunders, of Gisborne (a man who wears the Military Cross and .Bar). The little team included one returned soldier, one South African veteran, and one who wore! the Shackleton. medal (Mr. , Ansell. of Wellington)'." ' ""

The Senior Cadeis made a gallant show, and no one looking on these fine lads could for a moment suggest that they ivere not. in figure and carriage, all the better for the training they undergo aa cadets. Captain Bell (area officer) was at the head of the column, which included a Rood muster of both the Wellineton and St. Patrick's College Cadets. Another Scottish pipe band preceded a verv handsome tableau representing the snirit of the Navy League, a very beautiful Britannia, richly caparisoned, benrincr a trident, surmounted by a.miniature bat'tleshiD. and round her 'a- group of female fisures. suggesting duty, loyalty, courage, steadfastness, etc. This tableau had the support "of the Amokura boys,-.under Instructor Knox, who, swaggering in their sailor fate, looted -junior "jack tars" through and through. Next in order came some oOU Bov Scouts, , -under Commander W. Phillip's and Scoutmaster MTCenzie, and a group of Sea Scouts under Captain Cnualey, R.N.R, . L . . Somehow or other a fire brigade on parade, with everything a-ghsten that can take a polish, is always an appealing sight, and the parade of the Wellington Municipal Brigade on Saturday .was one of the features of tho big -show./: In their brass helmets and veat uniforms the 85 men made a gallant sisrM, wift the five red and gold engines that followed enhanced the effect.. The Waterside Workers' Band preceded the lied Cross workers' representation,-which, consisted of a number of girls m white, wearing the emblem of the Society, holding stretched ■ out. horizontally a. huge Union .Tnck, into which spectators threw coins of lower denomination. ■ The lipycrnment Printing Office was represented by another attractive Britannia, tableau, the Women's National; Reserve by several decorated ears, the 1.M.0.A. n> its National Executive, and the P. and T confetti girls turned out to scatter paper largesse on tho merry throng, making a special butt of the wayside police constables. , , Heading the unique display made l>7 the Salvation Armv ™s the Army s anTuented baud, winch strode along to the ililt of George Cohen's "Over There I Behind followed a number ot lorries, each ono some form or other of the soSal activities of. the-Army. Then came friendly societies. A male choir in fancy dress, on a lorry with a. piano, made cheerful .music amidst tne din of many noises, and after them, camo tho Welsh Society's turnout, with a choir of girls in their tall chimney pot hats, capes, and white aprons, mngins quaint Welsh songs It was interesting to note that the lorry on which the Welsh girls ( and their harpist rode was labeled Hen Gwlad Nhadan," which one returned, soldier f reoly translated, as the lorry passcd, as "the hen roost." , Among the comic stunts none was better than "The Better 'Ok," which represented tho dug-out home of Ole Bill aii'l his mates on the Western front The 'ole was made all the more reahstio by frequent shelJ-firc and "whizz-bang explosions, which gave great scope f« comic mumming on the part of the Bairnsfather trio of heroes. ArtotluH funny stunt that raised shrieks of laughter was tho real and original Tin Lizzie," a car made of petrol tins and fruit cases, which caused its owner n, world of (rouble and shocking expense on -the trip between the Government Buildings mid the Park. The explosions that camo from that car caused renj alarm by the roadside, but they were all part of the joke-and the joke was U worthy one. ' ~, DriiTuiK clowns and nierrote, and funny mon whose aim or object could not bo gathered at a glance, dodired in and: otrt nnd round tho moving pageant, keeping things alivo, and playing tricics on the public and police withouFend. Confetti played a picturesque-part in tho proceedings. Few escaped altogether tli« showers of joy paper as they .fluttered prettily to earth. Tho procession was so long that the head of it had ■ readied Vivian Street before its tail had left tho Government Buildings. Tho nlt'ondiinco of brass bands was disappointing, only the Salvation Army, Waterside Workers', and Natives' Association Bands turning out. The Highland bands were in good strength, and added a stirriii? note to the march, and tho Cadets' ami Scouts' bugle and, drum hands gave a military tone to their seclions of the "long, long trail." The procession passed along the Quay into Willie Street, Manners Street, Cuba Street, Vivinn Street, and r>o by wny of Kent, Terrace, AdoUioto Row* Riddiford Street, to the Park. The crowds in Manners and Willis .Streets after tho procession had passed made thoso thoroughfares torrents of humanity. The sight from tho Albert Hotel balcony was a memorable one. Tho Prize Car. Tho special prize of .£lO 10s. offered by Messrs. P. Cooper, Ltd., for tho b.esr decorated motor-car in Saturday., -morning's procession was allotted to , :tho Mothers' Help car.- This car 'Vae."decorated simply cud artistically in purplo and white, and was occupied by "helpore," wio were attired in neat purple dresses, in harmony with the decorative scheme of the car. Tho judges were Messrs. H. .M, John Swan, and C. Lawrence. -.:;-,