SURRENDERING OF TURKEY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1918, Page 4

SURRENDERING OF TURKEY.

K PARLIAMENT. i ; THE PREMIER'S ORATION, By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the Houso met this afternoon there was a full attendance of members, and evidence of an animation not noticeable . since the opening of the session. This was due to the news of the surrender of Turkey, and, when the Premier rose to address the assembly, there was an air of tense expectation, which found relief in frequent applause. Mr. Massey said ho proposed to ask the House to adjourn till 2.30 on Tuesday, to mark the news which had come to hand concerning Turkey's surrender. He said that h 3 offered no apology in moving such a motion, because he felt certain every member of the House and every resident .of the Dominion would feel as he felt at the news which had come from the of the Empire. He read a telegram from the Secretary of State setting out the circumstances under which Turkey asked for a cessation of hostilities, and said that though it was not quite correct to <=ay Turkey had made an unconditional surrender, it practically amounted to thafc,sb'ecausc it gave us the keys, of the position,.which he was certain we would hold until peace was declared. He ventured to say that when Lord Kitchener declared he was preparing for a three-years' war there were very few who agreed with him/but the war had exceeded in length the expectations of most people, and though we had not not yet reached the end, he was glad to say the end was in sight. The events of the last few days were some of the most important in the history of the civilised world, because there was.no doubt that the : war in which Turkey's surrender was a momentous episode had been started with the intention of smashing all that was best in civilisation. In connection' with the news received, he said he had requested the Governor to approach the Imperial authorities with the need for having the Dardanelles' forts manned by Anzacs- That was only just to the memory of those brave men who had given their lives for .the EnJpire on the Dardanelles, and he hoped arrangements would he made whereby the graves of those who "had fallen at Gallipoli would be preserved for all time. It would he wrong that we should forget the services of these men, and but right that Britain should also remember. He reviewed the historical events concerning the Dardanelles, and said that by the entry of the British Fleet into those waters a gale had been -opened which would never again be shut. Continuing, Mr. Massey said; "In the hour of victdry, we must not forget the great services rendered by America, whose weight had turned the balance in our favor. The patriotism of France and Italy, and the loyalty of Japan, who, had she thrown in her influence and power with Germany, would have made our position in these Southern Seas almost impossible." He paid a warm tribute to the natives of the i South Sea Islands who had volunteered for the front in the hour of need, who had shown a magnificent spirit, and wg, on the eve of victory, should not be forgotten. No one, said the Premier, envied the Kaiser in the position in which he found himself, a position which vividly recalled that of the Babylonian King who saw the writing on the wall. In this hour of victory we should not forget the Highe l - Power who had protected us throughout the crisis. When peace did come we must see it was worthy of the great sacrifices made—worthy of 15,000 of the piek of our population, who 'had paid the extreme penalty, worthy of the mothers and wives who sent them. We must be certain, when peace comes, that it brings reparation for the injuries and punishment for the crimes against civilisation, in such a way that Germany will not be able to break the peace of the world for at least the next hundred years. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S SPEECH. In seconding the motion, Sir Joseph Ward said this was a day of emancipation for the whole civilised world. The Central Powers had started out oh the war with the idea that might was right. First they "were ■ to destroy the small nationalities, then England, and then cross to America. It was a gigantic scheme of world conquest, in which Germany' did not lose sight of New Zealand, for they had it on the authority of Dr. Soy that Germany not only expected the restoration of her colonies, but demanded new territory, and New Zealand wag. to. be one of the prizes of German .victory. He was proud of the fact that aU.classes in New Zealand had taken part in the struggle, but, in this connection, the women deserved a special word of praise,-as but for their adapt?' ability in taking new employments, many hundreds of men could not have been released for the front. Speaking of the part played in the war by the British Navy, he said th« whole world was indebted to this branch of British arms, whilic had enabled us to stem the current which set in against us. The conveyance of millions of men and vast quantities of material was a feat unrivalled in the history of the world, and would touch the imagination of future generations, when history that was now secret was told as to the events of the past four years. He could say, with'all due respect to the American and other Allies, that it was the great part played by the Motherland Which 'brought us to the satisfactory position in which we found ourselves to-day; The unity of our Empire was one of the most remarkable things in history. Before that unity the distances and seas which divide us disappeared. Our own country was a case in point, and it must have been one of the greatest surprises to the Kaiser the way in which the overseas' countries responded to the call when the freedom of the world was in danger. Continuing, Sir Joseph paid a tribute to the mercantile marine, and said the hour of victory brought back with greater poignancy the grief of those who had lost their sons. We ought never to forget their extraordinary lossos.but give them our grateful thanks for the sacrifices they had made. Messrs Hindmarsh and Payne also spoke. Sir James Carroll said the surrender of Turkev, which took us a long way towards the desired end, was not a victory for the British Empire only, but was a for the whole world. Sir .Tames Allen paid a tribute to the magnificent services of the Native races, who came to the aid of the Empire in its hour of w?ed. He agreed with Mr.Hind; marsh that we should show humility, Trot there was also room for .ior—for

unspeakable joy—at the news which had a peculiar significance for the people of New Zealand, who were deeply concerned in fate of Gallipoli, and he was glad to know tne Leaders of ike House had taken* precautions to preserve it as sacred ground. Mr. Hfrnsbj suggested that, in view! of the turn events had talcsn, all teal tions should agTee to carry on the business of the country and release the Leaders, who should immediately return to England and be where important negotiations are going on. The motion was carried on the voices, and then the members rose and gang the National Anthem, followed by the DoxologV. The House rose at 4.10. STMTimD REJOICINGS There was no half-heajtedness' in tna manner of Stratford's reception of the good news that Turkey had surrendered. as soon as the news came through, the iirebell» rang joyously, motor-horna tooted, and the sirens of the engines at the station sounded. The tidings quickly spread, and very soon Broadway presented an animated Bcene, whilst hunting was profusely displayed from the buildings, motor-ears, trap 3, etc., also being decorated with patriotic flags. Bnoinesse3 were practically deserted, and staid business men gave vent to tieir joyful feelings. The school children, who had been dismissed for the day* executed raids on motor garages, etc.* and soon a "huge tin-can land was promenading the street, every kind of squeaker adding to the pandemonium. A little later the Municipal Band came out and headed the procession. There was a very large gathering in front of the Post Office at noon, and a most enthusiastic meeting was held, all joining in the spirit of the event A four-horse drayload of happy youngsters, ijith pos- # tilions on each leader and a ■well-known resident standing on. hi« pony, were promient features TJic hand played stirring patriotic national airs, whilst the tin-camiers outvied each other in their efforts to add to the din. The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) gave an appropriate speech, as did Sir- E. Masters. The addresses were punctuated with applause, and on their conclusion cheers were given for Marshal Foelv General Allonby, the Array, and the boys at the front. The National Anthem was then sung. The day was then observed as a holiday, an impromptu procession taking place in the afternoon, headed by the band, the tin-canners and horsemen. The King's Cinema gave a free matinee to the children, the Mayor stating that a kerosene-tin .would he the admission ticket. All meetings set down for the evening were postponed, and an impTonrptu social was held in the Town Hall at night, admission being free. It was crowded. Several vocal items and short addresses were .given. AT HAWERA. There was general rejoicing in '.ffa-i wera. The firefoell was rung and factory and railway engine whistles were blown for a considerable time, whilst business people made a fine display of bunting. The crowd quickly gathered at the intersection of Princes and High Streets, whither the band, a splendid, muster of whom was quickly available* and the Fire Brigade also,marched. After the National Anthem had been played by the band, addresses were given by the Mayor (Mr. E. Dixon) and Mr. W. R. Haselden, after which cheers wera given for the boys at the front. The hand then headed a procession, playing patriotic airs, marched up High Street,, followed by a Ion? string of motor-cars, the majority decorated with flags and all crowded with ..joyful occupants. The, schools were given a holiday. ...,.-■• AT WAITARA Our Own Correspondent.) The news of Turkey's uncenditionu* surrender was received Jiere at about 9 o'clock this morning, and, according to arrangement, the freezing works whistle blow, and was soon accompanied by tha railway engine whistle and the firebell. His Worship the Mayor had flags stretched across the street in several places, and these, with private flags on shops and houses, gave the town a very holiday appearance. At 2.30 pm. a meeting was held In front of the Post Office, where the hand played several selections, and patriotio speeches were given by. the Mayor and Mr. C. E. Perkins to a gathering of between 600 and 700 people. A procession of school children with numerous flags, and can-ring the Union Jack in front, added to the display and made the occasion a. memorable one. At the conclusion of his address, the Mayor read a telegram from the Government announcing officially the news of the surrender, nnd asking tradesmen to close their shops for the rest of the afternoon, lOTdjMjlled for three cheers for the King, the Army, and the Navy. This, with the playing of the National Anthem, concluded the celebration., which, I have no doubt, will live long in the memory of those who were present. AT ELTHAM. The news caused considerable excitement during the morning, when the firebells were rung and there was a fine display of hunting. Just before midday, official confirmation was * received, and the various factory whistles were blown, notifying that a public meeting would be held in the afternoon,' as prcviduSly arranged. This meeting was lately attended. ■?:■' ..i ; ;;' . INGIiHWOOtt At Inglewood they took the news sober] y. The firebells rang and the engines at the station made merry for a few moments. There were no speeches or any set demonstration, theTfoyor deciding to wait until official confirmation was received. Thero was considerable elation at the news, and a display of bunting consisting or two flags, floating gaily in the breeze, one above the Post Office and the other above, one of the hotels. ' AT WELLINGTON. The news of Turkey's capitulation l was received with tremendous enthusiasm. The Government offices closed for the remainder of the day. At noon, syrens shrilled and bells were rung. Outside the Town Hall a big concourse "of people assembled, where took place the reading of the official messages, these being received with almost frantic cheers. Mr> Massey referred to the news as a ereat victory, and Mr. Wilford addressed the ■ crowd at the Bank of New Zealand corper. A natriotie band paraded the streets.—Press Assoe.