ARMISTICE DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 November 1925, Page 3

ARMISTICE DAY.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE. LONDON. Nov. 12. AVi lll the passage of years the celebration of Armistice Day becomes even more reverential. The day broke with torrential rain, sleet and thunder in (London and snowstorms throughout the country, the pilgrimage to the Cenotaph in Whitehall liegan even before dawn. Sellers of Flanders poppies were early afoot, elaborate preparation had been made by the authorities for marshalling what was expected to be a record assemblage. Fortunately the rain ceased for a couple of hours before the solemn silence, when an impressive scene was witnessed at the Cenotaph. The whole of 'Whitehall was a solid mass of people. A lew rays of sunshine pierced the gloom as the hour for silence struck. Guards in scarlet and grey greatcoats, and marines in white helmets, gave a touch of colour, to an otherwise sombre picture.

The King in khaki uniform accompanied hv the Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught and other royalties, took up positions opposite the Cenotaph, while drawn up alongside were the whole Cabinet, and High Commissioners, wit'll the Earl of Oxford. .Mr Lloyd George, Mr Ramsay MacDonald among those in the second row. The King first laid a wreath. He was followed by the Prince of Wales, Duke of York, Mr Baldwin, then Lord Birkenhead for India, Hon. Amory lor the Dominions and High Commissioners laid wreaths. This lmd just been completed when silence was announced. The King and other members of the Royal family removed their caps. The subsequent service was brief. Ihe Last Post was sounded, and was succeeded by ‘'Cod Our Help.” Prayers, the Benediction. Reveille and National Anthem. The dense crowd in Whitehall stood rigidly in silence. The only sounds were the occasional wailing nl women, and infant children. Then began t he pilgrimage. Many had travelled all night long from the provinces in most wintry conditions to add their tribute to the huge ranks of (lowers at the base of the Cenotaph. Simultaneously a solemn service was held in Westminster Abbey and High (Muss in Westminster Cathedral. Ihe Methodist commemoration was held in Central Hall. There were similar observances in all the provincial centres and special services in schools, with parades of corps. Already the telegrams coming in show an Empire wide commemoration.

IN PARIS. PARIS, November 11. Although to-day was a public holiday an absence of rejoicing characterised the Armistice celebrations, in consequence of the financial crisis although the streets were beflagged with Allied colours. Newspaper art ids rellcct the subdued, popular feeling.

HORRORS OF AVAR. (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) BRISBANE. Nov. 12. Mr Jones, Minister of Mines -speaking at the Armistice Day commemoration apologised for the absence of the Premier, and said although it was proper for the Government to be represented he FMr Jones) attended ns a duty. He could not say with any truthfulness that it gave him great pleasure to lie there. This was because lie regretted and abhorred war, with all its horrors and consequences, and the eventuality of an armistice.

IN CANADA. OTTAWA, Nov. 11. Armistice Day was never more solemnly observed throughout Canada than it was to-day. At eleven o’clock a two minutes’ silence was observed from coast to coast while every city conducted some special ceremony.

At Toronto the Governor-General. T.onl Byng unveiled a cenotaph. At Montreal, where nine out of ten people wore poppies, impressive ceremonies were conducted. The crews of all the ships in port were mustered on deck for the half-masting of the flags, and they joined in singing “Nearer my God to Three.” Throughout the country all telegraph wires, railroads and steamships qeased during two minutes.