PEACE PROCLAMATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1919, Page 3

PEACE PROCLAMATION.

CEREMONY AT JtEW PLYMOUTH.

Considering the 'very short ncrtice given, there was a gqod gathering of citizens at the Soldiers' Club yesterday morning to hear the King's Peace Proclamation read by his Worship the Mayor, though there was no demonstration oi° enthusiasm-

Speaking from the balcony in front of the Club, after having formally read the Proclamation, Mr Burgess said the one thought in the minds of all was that of gratitude and thankfulness that the struggle was over. There had been five years of suspense and strenuous work. All the time the flower of the country's manhood had been leaving its shores to fight for the Empire—and they had fovjit well. Now they were returning, and everyone was pleased it was so, and hoped the men would settle down into ci.il life as quickly as possible. It was now possible to look forward to the time when the nations would recover from the experiences which they had been passing through. In our own country, however, ye had been free men. There may have been doubt sometimes as to whether the Allies would win, but the of New Zealand had lived in prosperity and comfort, while other connj tries had suffered privations that we had never conceived. It was now the duty of those who did not go to fight to share the burdens cheerfully which had to be borne. There was a great work to be done on behalf of those who had borne .the burden of the lighting, in order to make the peace concluded a lasting one. He hardly dared hope that it would be permanent peace, but that it would last at least for many generations, and he hoped-that we would for 'a long time to come be able to sing "God Save the King." Cheers were then given for the King Messrs W. T. Jennings and S. G. Smith, MJP., both briefly addressed the gathering, emphasising the duty of thankfulness for the signing of peace, and both also stressed the importance of what the Mayor had said with regard to the duty of the public to returned soldiers, and assured the people that while it was in their power they would do all they could ,to ensure that thJ soldiers were properly treated. The people then joined in singing the National Anthem, and renewed cheers were given for the King and also for the Mayor. Mr Burgess thanked the people for coming out to hear the Proclamation, and reminded them that the United Thanksgiving Service would be held on Sunday, and that the final celebrations would take place on the 9th inst., which he hoped would be an occasion that would excel .n enthusiasm, even the celebrations of the signing of the armistice.

A MODIFIED PROGRAMME. A general meeting of tlie New Plymouth Peace Celebration Committee will be held on Tuesday evening next. The following modification of the original programme ha»? been suggested and will be discussed at that meeting:— Thursday, 17th.—Children's ball, Coronation Hall, 7 to 10; adults ball to follow. Saturday, 19th.—Procession to Recreation Grounds. Speeches and probably entertainment by Pierrots. Town to be illuminated at night. Torchlight procession by Fire Brigade. Bonfires at Marlsand Hill and Western Park. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.

In accordance with the express command of His Imperial Majesty, to-mor-row (Sunday) will be kept at St- Mary's Church as a day of thanksgiving for peace. The services will be the same as on the first Sunday of every month, and the services will be specially printed. Tho collections throughout the day will be given to the St. Mary's Peace Memorial, which, it will be remembered, is to take the form of a new Sunday School and Parish Hall. A further sum of about £IOOO is to be raised before the building can be commenced, and it is hoped that the thankfulness of th.e public at the successful termination of the war will express itself in a liberal thanksoffering towards such a useful and practical Peace Memorial.

The Citizens' Band decided last night to take part in the services at the Coronation Hall. In addition to supplying music for the hymns the Band will play the "Hallelujah Chorus" from the Messiah, and Elgar's "Land of Hope and Glory."

WELLINGTON'S CELEBRATIONS. Wellington, July 4. At a meeting of the City Council this afternoon • the,. Mayor referred to the latest proposals for the peace celebrations, and said he had invited the citizens to observe a holiday on Monday aa well as on Saturday. It would be impossible to hold a children's demonstration on Saturday. The, Council endorsed the Mavor's proposals.