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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8545, 27 September 1907, Page 5

The Dominion Day celebrations in Masterton were of a very quiet nature, the chief event being the reading of the King's Proclamation outside the Borough Council Chambers. At the appointed hour, 11 o'clock, about 50 persons had gathered in front of the Chambers, over which the Union Jack was flying. Sudden gusts of wind, accompanied by slight showtrs, with an o asional glimpse of sunshine, ere the weather conditions. The Mayor remarked that ne had been requested by the Right Hon. the Premier to read the Proclamation, declaring New Zealand a Dominion, the text of which had been telegraphed to him on Wednesday. Belore asking the Town Clerk to read the document, he might say that many people in the colony had taken the matter up in a rather lighthearted way, and it did not appear so important an occasion to them as it probably did to people beyond our shores. The name colony had been applied to New Zealand since its foundation, and no doubt to the out side world the impression conveyed by this title was that New Zealand was a settlement with a few struggling inhabitants. New Zealand now held a more prominent position in the world than hitherto, and it was the desire of the Government to mark this fact by the chang- j ing of New Zealand from a colony to i a Dominion.

The Town Clerk then read a copy of the King's Proclamation, which is as follows: —"Whereas we have on the petition of the members of the J Legislative Council and House of i Representatives of our Colony of New Zealand determined that the , title of the Dominio.i of New Zealand shall be substituted for that of the Colony of New Zealand, as the designation of the said Colony, we have therefore by and with the advice of our Privy Council thought fit to issue this, our Royal Proclamation, and we do ordair, declare and command that, on and after the 26th day of September, one thousand nine hundred and seven, the said Colony of New Zealand and the territory belonging thereto shall be called and known "by the title of the Dominion of New Zealand, and we hereby give our commands to all public, departments accordingly. "Given at our Court at Buckingham Palace this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seven, in the seventh year of our rjign." "God Save the King."

The Mayor in again reminding the people that their country was to take the title of Dominion henceforth, called for three cheers for the King. These were heartily given, as were further cheers for the Mayor and Town Clerk. The gathering then dis persed. At II o'clock, yesterday morning, the Masterton District .High School Cadets paraded in the Schoolgrounds. No. 1 Company was under the command of Captain Has'am; No. 2 under Captain Buntirg; and No. 3 under Captain Sutton. After the Headmaster (Mr W. H. Jackson) had x-ead the King's Proclamation, the New Zealand Ensign was hoisted, and the Royal Salute was givan by the Corps. Lusty cheers were then given for the King. The Headn: aster announced that Sir Joseph Ward had decided to have medals struck, in commemoration of Dominion Day for presentation to each school child. Upon hearing this information the Cadets gave three hearty ckeers for the Premier.

DANNEVIRKE. By Telegraph—Press Association. DANNEVIRKE; September 26. Tht Kind's Proclamation was read at the Courthouse to a fair gathering ofcitiztns, Councillor Thomson, in the absence, through indisposition, of the Mayor, made a speech. The weather was fine during the proceedings, but a heavy gale, with showers, is now raging. CARTERTON. By Telegraph— Press Association. CARTERTON, September 26. Dominion Day *.vas only a partial holiday here. Rain fell during the day. The Mayor made a speech to the citizens, and the school children saluted the flag. AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Pres-; Association. AUCKLAND, September 26. There was only a partial holiday here to-day. The weather was threatening, and the ground wet owing to the rain last night. There was a very large gathering in 'Victoria Park, where the Mayor read the Proclamation, and a salute of 21 guns was fired. Speeches were made by the Mayor, Chairman of the Board of Education, and the President of the National Associat ion.

GISBORNE. By Telegraph —Press Association. GISBORNE, September 26. The principal feature of to-day's celebrations was <"be unveiling of the monument erected solely by the efforts of a number of women to the late Mrs Sievwright, one of the leaders of the Women's Council, and one who had striven hard to secure female franchise. OAMARU. By Telegraph—Press Association. OAMARU, September 26. Perfect weather prevailed for Dominion Day celebrations, at which there was a record muster of volunteers and cadets, and a largo attendance of the public. At 11 o'clock, the Mayor read the Proclamation from the steps of the new Municipal Buildings,' after which flags were

and the troops then marched to TakaroU Park, where the presentation of the King's Colours to the 23rd Infantry Battalion, 0.K.V., took place.

WELLINGTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, September 26. The weather was gloriously fine for the Dominion Day celebrations. A holiday was observed by the tradespeople and others, and the principal buildings in the city, the Government offices and ships in port were gaily decked with flags, etc. There was a good number of visitors in town. At 11 o'clock the Governor and Lady Plunket, escorted by a strong detachment of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles, arrived at the steps of the Pailiament Buildings, where the Premier read the Proclamation. Hjs Excellency then read the following message from the King, forwarded through the Secretary of State for the Colony:—"I am commanded by his Majesty the King to convey to you and to the Government and people of the Dominion of New Zealand his congratulations on the occasion of the assumption of the title of Dominion, and his earnest desire on their happiness and welfare." Lord and Lady Plunket entertained a Parliamentary party at luncheon afterwards.

There was a great popular gathering in Newtown Park, where about sixteen thousand persons attended. Speeches were delivered by the Governor and Premier, and there was a presentation and consecration of the colours, Bishop Wallis reading the prayer ordered to be used on such occasions. About two thousand guests subsequently attended a reception at the Government Hcuse. The city was gaily illuminated in the evening, a really magnificent display being made by means of coloured electric I'ghtg on Government House, Pariiment Buildir.gs, Provincial Government Offices and General Post Office. A torchlight procession was formed at the Government Buildings and marched to the Town Hall, where a public reception was held and further speeches of a patriotic character delivered by His Excellency the Governor, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, and the Hon. T. W. Hi«lop, Mayor of Wellington. Throughout the whole proceedings were marked by enthusiasm. The Prime Minister has received the following congratulation's by cable from Australia and Soutn Africa: — MELBOURNE, September 25. The Commonwealth heartily congratulates the Dominion of the South on its new and appropriate designation. To your people, whose blood is our blood, whose hopes and aims are also ours, Australia wishes still further advance in your career of progress, social and industrial, which has reflected lustre upon Australia. 1 ALFRED DEAKIN. PRETORIA, September 25. Please accept heartiest congratulations and best wishes upon new era anri incr3ased prosperity to New Zea lane'. Convinced that change will cause strengthening of bond of different colonies. Especially ple;sjd with progress during your government.

BOTHA, Premier. PIETERMARiTZBURG, Sept. 24. On behalf of the Government and the people of Natal, I heartily congratulate you, your Government, and your colony on attainment of its majority. May the Dominion long be a prosperous part of our common Empire. MOOR, Prime Minister. ST. JOHN'S (Newfoundland), Sept. 24. I sincerely wish the Dominion of New ZeSland the fullest measure of prosperity. BOND. "Best wishes and all success to the new Dominion. Wilfrid Laurier, Premier of Canada." "I congratu'ate the people of"your Dominion on the event of to-day. It is a recognition of .the successful work which New Zealanders have accomplished in their colonisation and self-government.—J. Carruthers, Premier of New South Wales."

"We heartily congratulate New Zealand on attaining the dignity of a Dominion. —T. Bent, Premier of Victoria." "I trust New Zealand will be as happy and prosperous as a Dominion as she has been as a colony.—W. Kidston, Premier of Queensland." "On behalf of Cape Colony, I desire to convey to you and the people of New Zealand our sincere congratulations upon the elevation of New Zealand to the status of a Dominion. We rejoice in your welfare and advancement.—Dr. Jameson, Premier." "Warmest greetings to New Zealand and yourself on the important change.—Everard Im Thurn, High Commissioner of Fiji." "My best wishes for a happy future of the Dominion. Regret absence of H.M.S. Powerful prevents my being present. —Admiral Fawkes, Sydney." The Consuls representing the German, French, Austrian, and Italian residents in New Zealand have also telegraphed expressing goodwill and congratulations.

HAWERA. By Telegraph—Press Assr^ iation> September 26. Some enthusiasm was displayed in connection \vlth the Dominion Day celebrations. The cadets, volunteers and officers, band, and townspeople assembled in the Council Chambers, where the Mayor r£ad the Proclamation. Subsequently the flag was saluted by the school children, and patriotic speeches were made. ; PALMERSTON NORTH. By Telegraph—Press [Association. PALMERSTON N. f Sept. 26. The Dominion Day programme was changed here on account of the bad weather. A procession of the Volun-

Zealand/£nnHH^HHH||HHfIH airs previous gramme. The Mayor read the P™ clamation from the Post Office steps at 11 a.m.

FOXTON. By Telegraph—Press Association. FOXTON, September 26. At 11 a.m. the Town Clerk read the Dominion d?claration from the ; Council Chambers steps to a solitary press representative and a resident. A faint cheer was raised at the conclusion. Received September 27, 12.10 a.m. MELBOURNE, September 26. The Hin. A. Deakin, in the Assembly, suggested that a congratulatory message re the Dominion from the Commonwealth might be a graceful acknowledgement of the fact that their ties with New Zealand were necessarily closer than those which now bind them to the other outlying portions of the Empire. They were not only of one stock, but the whole trend of legislation and thewhole character of the two countries, were identical, and they were marching side by side. The Australians bad not only the warmest regard for NewZealand, but the deepest interest in the future of the progressive Dominion. Mr Reid, in seconding the motion, said that he thought Mr Peakin had done the right thing in seizing the opportunity of expressing to the people and the Government of New Zealand the very strong admiration and affection they felt for tnat great State. The motion was agreed to, .