“GLORIOUS FOURTH”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19980, 4 July 1939, Page 4

“GLORIOUS FOURTH”

DAY OF INDEPENDENCE U.S. COLONY CELEBRATES OLD HATCHETS BURIED To-day represents an important anniversary for members of the American colony in Poverty Bay. On July 4,177 C, the American Declaration of Independence was signed on behalf of those' former subjects of Great Britain who had maintained their right to self-Gov-ernment, and though during the _ intervening 163 years the ancient grudges have been overlaid by sentiments of close friendship between the United States and Britain, the “Glorious Fourth” is still an outstanding date in the calendar for those of American birth.

For New Zealanders, there is more than passing -interest in the anniversary. The history of colonisation in North America is marked by wars more bloody than those which foreshadowed the final establishment of British authority in New Zealand. Nevertheless there Is a certain parallel between the histories of the two countries up to the point where, in the case of the American colonists, the disputes with British statesmen led to actual hostilities and the winning of independence for the United States.

More Delicate Handling

Colonies established by Britain in the later part of the eighteenth century and early in the nineteenth century w«>re more delicately handled than those which formed the basis of the United States of to-day, but even so, there were occasions on which the colonists on the one hand and Britain on the other became -

heartily sick of a system which threw the burden of military protection on the Homeland, and in consequence made it impossible for local issues to be settled by independent action.

In tire case of New Zealand, the system was broken down by the vir- _ lual withdrawal of Imperial troops from the colony, and the adoption of a "self-reliant” policy by the youngest (British colony. In effect, the change to selr-government with all its advantages and disadvantages was made without the bloodshed which marked the winning of independence in the case of the Americans. - . .

Growth of American Communities

People of this country who rellect upon the American War of Independence must be impressed by the fact that the declaration was signed three years before Captain Cook landed first upon the shores of New Zealand at Poverty Bay. Before a British subject had claimed this land for the Crown, American colonisation had advanced to a stage which made it possible for the Western democracy of to-day to put a large and powerful, though comparatively untrained, army in the field. Their war actually began in 1775, and hostilities closed in 1781, when the British General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on October 19 of that year.

A change of Government in the Old Country led to the cessation of efforts to subdue the rebellious colonists and peace negotiations were begun in 1872 in Paris, the treaty being signed the following, year. American residents in this district, where oil-prospecting activity engages the attention of a number of technical experts. celebrated last night the eve of the “Glorious Fourth” at a dinner given at the drilling camp at the Totangi Dome.