LOCAL CELEBRATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1899, 5 November 1918, Page 3

LOCAL CELEBRATION.

When the message of Austria’s unconditional surrender reached Foxton shortly before noon yesterday, there was general rejoicing. Bells Avere rung, and Avhistles shrieked, and flags were Hoavu. Business amis suspended for the rest of the day. An improvised baud, consisting of a cornet, big drum and hand bell created weird noises in front of Mr Goldcr’s shop. A motor ear containing enthusiastic individuals and a big drum proceeded along the street. The children coming from school wore delighted with the iicavs, and demanded a holiday. The bells continued to ring and the whistles to blow, and every one “downed tools.” About 40 boys, each armed with a tin and stick, paraded Main Street. Mr Fred. Rout’s mail car punctured one of its tyres with delight upon arrival. An impromptu gathering was arranged in front of Mr Perreau’s shop shortly after 2 p.m. The Borough Band, preceded by Mr Aitcheson bearing the N.Z. Ensign, headed a procession in Avhich several hundred school children, carrying tlags, took part, the lin can band bringing up the rear. When quiet Avas retstorcd, Mr Hornblow apologised for the absence of the Mayor, and said that the gathering was an impromptu one, in order (o celebrate the good iicavs of Austria's surrender. The National Anthem Avas then sung, folloAved by the Doxology. I)i’. Mandl then addressed the assemblage. He said Austria’s surrender marked the daAvn of freedom for the Avorld. It Avas not yet full sunshine, but it soon Avould be. Germany’s principal ally bad left her. After four years of lighting and sacrifice, the British Empire can say to Democracy, “you arc now safe!’’ (Applause.) This was surely the signal for the end of autocracy for mouarchs. This great upheaval was no war of petty things—it has been a downright declaration by the greater part of the world against a system —sinister in its purpose, and probably known at the outset to a few. But (hat purpose has been fully demonstrated, as events disclosed themselves one by one. We have seen lioav suddenly our oavu Empire was involved, and how unprepared we were. We have seen the magnificent response of the people to the call of Freedom. (Applause.) We have seen nation after nation joining the cry until there Avas no mistaking the moral feeling and support of the world. We can thank God for the spirit that dominated the democracy and the masses of the Empire and the Avorld. Each and ail recognised that this was not a national Avar, but a. Avar of civilisation against a growing menace to the whole world. To the children assembled may it be said (hat they will groAv up under a mcav

regime—a regime of greater requirements. Tliey arc tlic future inheritors of the great light, and more will he required of them than of their ancestors, a new spirit of each for all. They will grow tip under a changed world —a world that will require a higher standard of life. This new spirit would demand that the disputes among nations would he settled by wisdom and justice rather than the sacrifice of life. He (hen called for cheers for the-Empire, our allies, the Army and Navv.

Mrs Teviotdale sang “Rule Britannia,the assemblage joining the chorus. The Rev. J. H. Bredin then addressed the assemblage. He said we rejoice to-day that Austria, another partner in the confederacy of evil, has fallen out, and that the originator of all the bloodshed and suffering that has darkened (lie world during the last four years, is now left to herself, weak and tottering and ready to collapse. We rejoice Unit British pluck and courage and heroism have stood the test and proved that no matter what has changed, the sons of Empire have been loyal and brave as their forefathers were before them. This lias been no ordinary war among nations, but a war of right, against wrong, justice against injustice, and we glory in (lie fact that Britain lias been found fighting on the side of right and justice. To-day we think of the brave men who have gone forth from all parts of onr great Empire, we think of what they have achieved, we think of their sufferings, we remember that many, very many, of them have lost their lives in the fearful struggle, but we rejoice that what they fought and suffered and died for has b->en attained, and that liberty, the birthright of every people, has been preserved. We know now that we have won, and whilst we pay due honour and reverence to the brave men who have upheld our nation’s ling, let us not forget the great debt we owe to the first hundred thousand men who went out from the Homeland and faced fearful odds, and who laid the foundation of the victory which we hope ere • long to celebrate. We know now that we have won, but let ns never forget the Higher Power which has wrought oh our behalf. Let us never leave Clod out of our reckoning. Let us ascribe to Him our deliverance. Let the boys and girls assembled never forget this time through which they are passing, and when they think of their glorious privilege, of their unsurpassed opportunities, when they salute the fjag of liberty, let them look back and remember how much they owe to the men who fought and -suffered and died that they might he preserved from cruelty and slavery, and kept in peace and safety. Let them grow up loyal and brave, and trim to themselves, to their eoqntrv

and to their God. Speeches were also delivered by Cr. T. Henderson and Mr Jas. Stevens (Palmerston N.), and Hamuera on behalf of the Maori race. Further cheers were given for our boys at the front, the returned men and the Maori race. The ceremony closed with appropriate selections by the Borough Band, and the National Anthem. The celebrations were continued in the evening. The bells were again rung, and at 7.30 the Borough Band marched at the head of a procession through Main Street, and again the crowd assembled in front of Perrcau’s. After a few selections by the Band, the proceedings were continued from the balcony. A short speech was made by Air Hornblow, and patriotic songs were given by Mesdames Teviotdale, Freeman and Bandmaster Golder, and Mr Hornblow, in response to a demand from the crowd, told how Bill Adams Avon the battle of Waterloo. The choruses Avere heartily sung by the assemblage. Mr Golder recited some original verses in honour of Turkey’s surrender and the liberating of Syria from the Turkish yoke. The proceedings throughout Avere most enthusiastic, and ended with more cheers for Britain and her Allies, and the National Anthem. Messrs S. B. Collins (piano) and Simmons (violin) played the accompaniments.