THE PROPOSED DEMONSTRATIONS, ETC.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10871, 22 January 1901, Page 4

THE PROPOSED DEMONSTRATIONS, ETC.

It will be ssen from a telegram wliich we publish in another column, that the citizens of Dunedin have abandoned the proposal to givo a public demonstration in honour of tlie returning troopers by the Orient. Mr. Ward also stated at the meeting last night his own personal feeling that the visit of the Imperial troops to the colony ought to be abandoned. It is obvious, we think, that with the whole nation plunged in grief at tho Queen's state of health, thers can be nothing in the shape of public festivities, while if our worst fears should be realised, demonstrations and rejoicings would be still more out of the question. Th- welcome tendered to "our boys" from the front will b. tinged with sadness, hut will be none the less sincere, because it will partake of the nature of a silent handshake instead of the joyous outburst of enthusiasm which we pictured to ourselves as taking place under iiappier circumstances. It will be a bitter disappointment if the Imperial troops do not visit New Zealand, and if the proposed visit of the Duke and Duchess of York-should have to be abandoned. In view of the great calamity now to all appearances impending over the Empire, however, no other prospect is at present before us.