WHEN PEACE COMES

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 3, 28 September 1944, Page 3

WHEN PEACE COMES

Preliminary Plans For Celebration

WELLINGTON MEETING

i .Representatives of 13 music anti dramatic societies attended :t meeting in the council chamber of the Wellington Lown Hull lust night to discuss. preliminary plans for the future celebration of peace. The mayor of Wellington, Mr. Appleton, who presided, said that when the war cume to an end there would be peace celebrations, and it thought that, something in the nature of a music icstival should form a part. A movement to that end was already under discussion in Christchurch and other centres, and to the end that some organization might lie formed in Wellington repdesentafives of music and dramatic societies had asked to attend. While the Government ivould do something in that direction, he felt that (here should be celebrations of a fitting character supported by the city council. As he saw it a musical festival should be one of the features, as well as a great thanksgiving service to God for giving them the victory. Though no one knew when the war would end. he realized that to organize flic choral and musical forces might take some time, so they could not start too soon. He proposed that a committee be set up to co-ordinate the various interests and arrange a suitable programme. , . , Mr. YV. -YI. Page said that one of the first things to discuss was. the measure of support that was likely, and what the various programmes iu connexion with the celebrations should comprise, lhey would have to determine, for instance, whether such celebrations were to extend over two or three days or a week, whether they should endeavour to import a conductor and artists from overseas, and evolve a general plan for such a festival. That might include the performance of major choral and orchestral works an opera, the performance of religious and other plays, special films, and an open-air pageant. They did not know, of course, when the war would end ; in one theatre, perhaps, it was not nearly over, but some organization was required in order to be ready when peace was deelared - , ? Mr. Page moved: "That this meeting of music and dramatic societies of Wellington warmly approves the proposal to hold a. musical festival to mark the end of the war and the advent of peace, and, if the proposal eventuates, will give the festival its generous support?” This was seconded by Mr. H. Moston (Choral Union), who said be took it that the proposal referred to the end of the war with Germany. He agreed with the idea of a music festival, but thought that there should be something arranged on the occasion of. the official declaration of an armistice in the way of an opeji-air gathering to lead the. concourse of people in the singing of national airs. Mr. C. Maculister (YVellington Symphony Orchestra) said it ivould be a great mistake to celebrate the end of the war Yvhen the Allies were still at war with Japan. The end of the fighting with Germany could be celebrated in a modified way, but tlie big event should only take place when peace was assured. Mr. John Randal (Organists and Choirmasters Society) agreed that the big effort should be saved for the real end of the war. Mr. H. 13. Wood said that in any case the people would celebrate the end of the war with Germany, There might be a big patriotic night in the Town Hall —flic other would come later.

Mr. Karl Atkinson said be also thought that there should be a thanksgiving service and “a really good patriotic night." The people would expect something of the kind.

AH present were declared by the chairman members of a general committee (with power to add), and members of the executive appointed were Messrs. H. E. Moston, W. M. Page, B. O. Stokes, J. Randal, R. 13. Pope, H. 13. Wood and Mrs. Knox Gilmer, with the mayor as chairman.

It was mentioned that other bodies not represented should possibly include the Brass Bands Association, the Wellington Shakespeare Society, the Carillon Society and the school children's organization.