PEACE ILLUMINATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1919, Page 6

PEACE ILLUMINATIONS.

GOVERNMENT NOT ASSISTING. It will, no doubt, come as something of a surprise to the general public that the Government has abandoned the idea of illuminating any of their buildings in connection ,with the peace celebrations, excepting in the four chief centres and Invercargill. So far as the New Plymouth preparations are concerned, it is understood that an arrangement had been come to with the borough electrical engineer for a good scheme of illuminating the New Plymouth Post Office, and supplies for the purpose had been obtained. It had also been arranged to link up the design of lighting at the Post Office with the borough's street lighting scheme. Notice has been received, however, that the Government proposal ha,s been abandoned. Why the provincial towns should be neglected in a matter of that kind by the Government is hard to understand. Their patriotism in war matters has not been a whit behind that of the larger centres of population, and yet, so far as the Government is concerned, they may celebrate the unique occasion in darkness, in spite of the appeal first issued by the Government for extensive illuminations. It is gratifying to know, however, that a number of the owners of large premises in the centre of the town have made arrangements for the decorating of their business places with illuminations for the night celebrations, and there is every prospect of a brilliant display being made in New Plymouth.