A STATE OF PEACE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1919, Page 4

A STATE OF PEACE

BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY. PROCLAMATIONS BY KING GEORGE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The following telegram lias been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies by the Governor-General of New Zealand, dated July 1, 1919: "The following proclamation has been issued here to-day by the King: .'A Proclamation, George R.I. Whereas a definite treaty of peace between us and the Associated Governments and the German Government was concluded at Versailles on the 28th day of June last, in conformity thereunto we have thought fit hereby to commahd that the same be published in due course throughout all our Dominions, and we do declare to all our loving subjects our will and pleasure that upon the exchange of ratification thereof the said treaty of peace be observed inviolably, as well by sea as by land, and in all places whatsoever, strictly charging and commanding all our loving subjects to take notice hereof, and to conform themselves hereunto accordingly. Given at our Court at Buckingham Palace this Ist day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nineteen, and in the tenth year of our reign.' God save the King."

A DAY OP THANKSGIVING. t The following further telegram has been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies by the GovernorGeneral of New Zealand: "A Proclamation, George, R.I. Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to bring to a close the lato widespread and sanguinary war in which we were engaged against Germany and her allies, we, therefore, adoring Divine goodness, and duly consideriug that great and general blessings of peace do call for public and solemn acknowledgment, have thought fit by and with advice of our Privy Council to issue this our Boyal proclamation, |hereb,y appointing and commanding that general thanksgiving to Almighty God for these His manifold and great mercies be observed throughout our Dominions on Sunday, the sixth day of July, and for better and more devout solemnisation of the same we have given directions to the most reverend archbishops and right reverend bishops of England to compose the form of prayer suitable to this occasion to be used in all churches and chapels and to take care for timely dispersing of the same throughout their respective dioceses, and to the same end we do further advertise and exhort the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and spiritual authorities and ministers of religion in their respective churches and other places of public worship throughout 0U j V nited Kin gdom of Great Britain and Ireland and in all quarters of our Dominions beyond the seas, to take part as it may properly behove them to do this great and common act of worship, and we do strictly charge c <>mmand the said public day of thanksgiving be religiously observed by all as they tender favor of Almighty God and have sense of His benefits.

Given at our Court at Buckingham Palace this first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and nineteen, and in the tenth year of onr reign.' God save the King. THE KING'S WISH.

It IS the wish of his Majesty that all parts of the Empire should, as far as possible, unite in observing July 6 aa the day of thanksgiving. The reason for the alteration of the date from that previously proposed is to approximate the day of general thanksgiving aa nearly as possible to the date of the signature of peace with Germany. (Signed) Milner." RAISING THE BLOCKADE. '' ler cable from the Secretary of istate for the Colonies is as followsThe German delegates at Versailles have been notified that the Allied and Associated Governments are ready to raise the blockade as soon as officially advised of the regular and complete ratincation of the peace treaty by Germany," '

SPEECHES AT WELLINGTON. Wellington, Last Night. Proclamations from the King announcing thta the treaty of peace had been concluded, and commanding the observance of a day of thanksgiving, were read from the steps of the new Parliament Buildings by the Deputy-Governor-General (Sir Robert Stout), in the presence of a gathering of about 1500 people. When the reading was concluded, Sir Kobert Stout said he was sure the people of New Zealand were all delighted that peace had come, and they could look forward with faith, hope and courage to the future, believing that now that the war had ended there were days of peace and prosperity for the nation, and for the human race. He hoped the war had helped to teach all people that it was their duty as citizens of the Empire to do what they could to make the life of the nation, and the life of humanity, better, greater and more glorious than it had been in the past. Sir James Allen said that in August, 1914, on the steps of the old Parliament Buildings, a proclamation of a very different sort had been read. We were then entering upon the most critical time ta the history of New Zealand and of the Empire. We knew not at the time what struggle lay before us, but we know today what we have been through. The traditions that were with us to-day had been glorified by the events of the war, and they were of more reality to us thai! they were m .1914. The deeds of many tZ!"£ 'Mt five years had' added to traditions which were sacred and hallowed to every Britisher. We are not a decadent nation, for we proved that we could win ln the struggle for justice, freedom and righteousness. He wassure the new generation would profit by ttroug? enenCe3 We hßd late) y The" Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald said it was a great satisfaction now to know that the war upon which the British had rr P the wcak ha d «nded in victory. He appreciated the heroism of the men and women of this country, and especially of the soldiers in their steadfastness of effort to bring about the vioS !? endous sacrifices had been made in the past five years. In that time the flower of a whole generation'-of

men nad been poured into the furnace o» war, and tliey had been slain by count* less thousands. He hoped devoutly that never again would the world coma through such another night of tragedy. Now the glorious dawn of peace with victory had come. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, and a »pentaneous outburst of cheering. THE RATIFICATION. EXPECTED OKTSE TWELFTH. Received July 3, 8.15 p.m. London, July 1, It is expected that the German Na* tional Assembly will ratify the peace treaty on thp twelfth.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. '

CHRISTCHURCH ARRANGEMENTS. Christchurch, Laa,t Night' At a meeting of the Programme Committee to-night in connection with the local peace celebrations, it was decided, to hold a special thanksgiving servioe on Sunday nex,t, but that all other thanksgiving services, for which special preparations are being made, be held on the 20th inst. It was agreed that the original arrangements for a thieo-days programme be adhered to.