DECLARATION DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1915, Page 2

DECLARATION DAY.

Ml!, MASSEV'S MESSAGE. Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. Masscy despatched the following message to the London Time, in response to a request from the editor of journal: ''On the anniversary of the declaration of war it is fitting that the citizens of tin; younger nations should remember the land of their fathers, and convey to our kinsmen at Home a renewal of the assurance, that we hare counted the cost, and that we sta-id together in the knowledge, (hat the tics uniting us are stronger than steel. They arc the ties, of fellow-citizenship, and language, and tradition; they represent everything that is dear and sac-red to the people of our race. Never was loyalty to ourselves and to each other more neeer-sarv than at the present juncture. We are faced with a cruel, powerful and unscrupulous foe, who hates Britain and everything British, both at Home and abroad, with an intense and bitter hatred, and who can be held in check, and finally driven back to his lair, only by the determination tund dodged e.iduiance Which has ,savcd the Empire in times of trouble in the past. The, Oversea Dominions have taken up the burden of Kmpire, which will never again he laid down. We have learned to think Imperially. _ We realise that as citi/.ens of the Kmpire we are all one great Imperial family. We are giving of our best and bravest, and will continue to give, not only for Britain's sake, but because this is our light, just as much as it. is the struggle of England, or Scotland, or Ireland. Though the sky may become ov-ieasl, and black clouds anpear, we know that behind the clouds tlie sun is shining, that the darkness will disappear, anil light and warmth onto more reach the earth. So with this crisis; the sun of peare and righteousness will shine again. The Kaiser and his war lords and all the wickedness they stau 1 for will pass away, and their deeds will be remembered only as the memory of an evil dream."—(Signed), W. F. 'Masse.y,

Auckland, Wednesday

The anniversary of war was observed in the city and suburbs to-day by public meetings and sermons in the churches. Many of the shops closed for two hours, to enable employees to attend church'. Enthusiasm marked all the gatherings -Nelson, Wednc-day.

A crowded mass meeting was held in the city to-night, at which stirring patriotic speeches were delivered. The anniversary of war resolution was carried with enthusiasm.

-Napier, Wednesday. A service of intercession and thankgiving was held at the Cathedral today, and was attended by two thousand people, and several hundred were unable to gain admission, This evening there was a large open-air meeting, and the appropriate resolution was carriel.

Thames, Wednesday. A Declaration Day demonstration "wis held in the public domain before a large attendance. Great enthusiasm was displayed, and patriotic speeches were made, by the Mayor and others. The regimental band played appropriate selections, and the formal resolution was carried amidst cheers. Dunedin, Wednesday. Declaration Dav was observed here by services being held in several of the churches during the day, and also prayer meetings in the evening. A crowded meeting was held in the Garrison Hall for the purpose of passing the resolution affirming determination to prosecute the war. The meeting took the form of a religious and civic ceremony combined, and was arranged by the' Otago Patriotic Association at the request of the Mayor (Mr. .1. .1. Clark). There were several patriotic speeches, and the, Salvation Army Band led file singing 'Woodvilie. Wednesday.' Over 1000 parsons attended an upenair meeting, in beautiful weatlesr, in Fountaine Square this afternoon,' in celebration of -the Declaration of AVar Day. Before the meeting, a procession, headed by the band, national reserve, cadets, fire brigade, territorials, school children, and teachers, and followed hy a large crowd, paraded the town. Canon F.ccles presided, and on the platform were the Mayor and Councillors, Lieutenant Colonel Stevenson, clergy, and Salvation Army officers. Rev. Abernolhy delivered a line address, and the Muyi-r ■proposed (he resolution, which was seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson in a stirring speech. The resolution was carried enthusiastically, and with cheers. "Several hymns, including Kipling's '-Recessional," were heartily sung, prayers were olfercd by Revs." Canon F.ccles and Gardiner, and the Benediction and National Afcthem concluded a most loyal and impressive service. A collection in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund realised over .C2O. Waipawa, Wednesday. The most enthusiastic patriotic, demonstration witnessed in Waipawa for many years marked the celebration of Declaration Day. The municipal theatre was packed, and the motion expressing unshaken loyalty was passed with "great enthusiasm. Dunne-, irke, Wednesday. The anniversary of war service, held this afternoon, was attended by the largest gathering yet seen here." Patriotic speeches, prayers, and an address and' hymns formed the principal portion nf , the proceedings. The motion, as submitted in other centres, was enthusiastically carried.