NEW ZEALAND-WIDE CELEBRATION

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 282, 25 August 1944, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND-WIDE CELEBRATION

Mr. Fraser’s Announcement

To mark the liberation of Paris and the fall of Marseilles and the capitulation of Rumania, today will be observed as a day of celebration throughout the Dominion. Announcing. this, the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, said . yesterday that the nature of the celebration in each district had been left to local arrangement of whatever was most fitting and possible at short notice. The Prime Minister, however, has suggested in telegrams to mayors of all cities and boroughs, county chairmen, town board chairmen, and road board chairmen, the flying of flags on all publie buildings, and a request to citizens generally to display flags and bunting, and at noon to ring bells as well as the convening of public gatherings wherever practicable, to pay tribute to these great achievements, to the valour of Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen m all theatres of war, and to the spirit of resurgent France. The Prime Minister urges the setting aside of the day not only as a day of tribute to our own forces and to those of all the other United Nations, but also for an expression of our determination to do whatever is in our power on the home front to shorten the struggle for what is now assured and certain victory against Nazi Germany. A period of hard fighting and sacrifice both on the battle and home fronts, Mr. Fraser added, is still ahead of the United Nations.

WELLINGTON GATHERING

Public celebration in Wellington today will be marked ‘by a mass gathering at Victory Corner at 12.30 p.m. following the flag day appeal parade. The mayor, Mr. Appleton, will preside, and the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, and consular representatives of the United Nations have been invited. There will be band music, a short musical programme and brief addresses. The mayor appeals to all business houses and others possessing flags or bunting to display these, and for whistles and sirens to be sounded and bells rung at noon. Beginning at noon there will 'be a special programme from the National War Memorial Carillon, which will include “The Marseillaise.”

SPIRIT OF FRANCE

Congratulations Of New Zealand The following letter has been sent by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, to Monsieur Anton de la Tribouille, delegate in New Zealand of the French Committee of National Liberation: — “I desire to extend to you, and through you to the French Committee of National Liberation, a message of heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand on the occasion of the liberation of Paris and the full of Marseilles. Today is one.for deepest rejoicing among all the United Nations, marking as it does a vital phase in tho final defeat of Nazi Germany and in the liberation of resurgent France. We rejoice, specially, that the French people themselves have taken such a conspicuous and courageous part in freeing Paris and so many more of your famous cities; this we regard as symbolic of the spirit of your country.”