CELEBRATING THE COLLAPSE OF AUSTRIA

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 110, 5 November 1918, Page 2

CELEBRATING THE COLLAPSE OF AUSTRIA

AT THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB,

There was an informal little ceremony at the Working Men's Club yesterday afternoon, when Mr. Finucane, the president, addressed a fairly large gathering of members. He reviewed the various phases of the tragedy of the last four years. It had appeared at times, he said, that the villain of the piece was obtaining the upper hand, 1 but now they could confidently look forward to receiving the news of the unconditional surrender of Germany. Mr.i Mace, ex-presi-dent of the club, extolled the prowess of British arms and those of the Allies. The war, he added, was ending as it should, in the vindication of the supremacy of justice and .right. Members then joined in singing the National. Anthem.

CELEBRATION BY BOWLERS.

At the invitation of their president, Mr. Albert Wylie, members of the Wellington Bowling Club took the opportunity yesterday afternoon of celebrating the armistice with Austria. In proposing the toast of "The British Empire and Its Allies," Mr. Wylie spoke of the great accomplishments achieved on the battlefields during the last four years. Now they were celebrating the fall of Austria, which was the third step towards the -complete subjugation of Germany, which had violated her plighted word_ in signed treaty and committed atrocities; outrages on the civilised world. Pluck and endurance had assured victory for the Allied arms, and he was of opinion that it would only be a matter of days when Germany would cease to be a military force. The toast was honoured with cheers and the singftig of the National Anthem. Mr. T. Bush proposed the toast of "Our Boys at the Front." ' In doing co, he spoke feelingly of tn*e tears and anxieties of parents Mr. J. D. Sievwright responded, paying eloquent tribute, to the vrJour and chivalry of the soldiers of New Zealand Victory with honour was undoubtedly assured, to the Allied arms. Mr. W Rumoule, of the Mostnan Club, Sydney, proposed the toast of "The Ladies," speaking in terms of very high praise of their great work in the war. Private L. Salek, who is at present on furlough from the Palestine operations, related some stirring incidents of that campaign, ana exhibited to the gathering a ring, presented to him on leaving Jerusalem, which bore <iie inscription : "If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem, may l.lose my right hand. 1' Mr. I. Salek, father of Private. Salek, and treasurer of the club, spoke in high praise of the privileges accorded to iJewe under the British flag. Mr. W. Richards proposed the toast of "The Maori Contingent," and this was duly honoured, after which the singing of 'Rule Britannia" closed the proceedings, which were of a very pleasant nature.