Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1919. PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9649, 4 July 1919, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, JULY 4, 1919. PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Even allowing for the dramatic appropriateness of holding the peace celebrations on the anniversary of the outbreak of war, it was thought strange by us that the Homeland's celebrations should be fixed to coincide with the great holiday exodus .from London and the bigger towns, that takes place 7 early each August. The first Monday in August is the most popular of Bank Holidays for country excursions, and it was fairly certain that the London celebrations would not be jso successful if held on August 3-4-5, as they would be if held at some other time. The changes in the plans fixed for the Dominion's celebrations should not be allowed to lessen popular enthusiasm. It is unfortunate that the worst season of the year for demonstrations will be our lot, but this is no excuse for permitting lack of ardour. The climatic conditions must have some influence, but if there is a will to rejoice, ways will easily be found. There are advantages^ in having the peace celebration period lessened, as owing to the armistice rejoicings and the long interval since November, it las been difficult to keep enthusiasm, high. The duty o£ all is to

act as if the dates and arrangements now agreed on were as originally planned and desired, and to make the programme fit.'in with the new conditions. Towns like Ashburton, accustomed to keep Saturday as the main shopping day, will be hit by Saturday being made a holiday, but the loss can be lessened by observing the preceding Friday as late shopping night, if necessary. Country people will have little difficulty in altering their plans; the new dates and shortened programme should; suit such dis# tricts better, in view of the travelling restrictions. The expediting of the celebrations may minimise the illuminations and decorations owing to Ji^ Inck of time and difficulty in obtaining- material, but this is no unmixed evil, as there will be less "waste." It should, we think, be a main principle of —-+-olli"uc the district programmes that the children should not suffer, because of the new arrangements. United thanksgiving services,-,on Sunday next may be difficult to promote, but the churches can be trusted to do all that is possible to observe the day fittingly. 'The opinions expressed at last evening's meeting of the Borough Committee were mainly such as to commend general"" approval. We are not enraptured with the Education !Board's proposal that the children should sing hymns as the procession passes them, especially as the adults present will indulge in more secular vocal selections. It is to be hoped that the Committee's efforts to make £he demonstrations most, successful will be amply supported, and that the weather and other circumstances will combine, to make the occasion memorable.