QUIET CELEBRATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 103, 3 May 1945, Page 8

QUIET CELEBRATION

SIGNIFICANCE TO N.Z.

DAY OF RE-DEDKTaTION ;

In a national broadcast address this morning' Jhe Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) dealt with the part played by the New Zealand Forces against the enemy in Africa and in Italy, culminating1 in the surrender of the German forces in the Italian theatre. He asked that those who had given their lives in this great cause and those left to mourn them should be specially remembered and that the great event should be celebrated quietly. It was not the end of hostilities in Europe, he said. It was really a day of re-dedication for the completion of the task still remaining to be resolved.

"From the very beginning,of operations in Africa/ said Mr. Nash, ".men of our 2nd Division have played their part nobly in the service of the Allied cause. In the long and bitter struggle, extending throughout five long years, to conquer first of all the Italians and then the Nazi hordes and drive them from Africa across the Mediterranean and up through Italy, our New Zealand men, both pakeha and Maori, have fought, on land and on sea and in the air, side by side with their brothers in arms of the United Kingdom, of Canada, of Australia, South Africa, and India, of the British Commonwealth and Empire, and our great Allies from the United, States, France, Poland, and Greece. And with our men, have been women of New Zealand, who in their turn have rendered special service in a magnificent manner. "Today is not YE Day. Nevertheless, it is a day that calls for both thanksgiving arid rejoicing. But let our thoughts first dwell on those who in that struggle have paid the supreme sacrifice, and then in reverent sympathy go out to those who mourn them. Today is one on whioh, with all our hearts, we should give thanks to God who has given us the will and spirit to overcome all obstacles in the way of triumph of right over might. It is a day of rejoicing in the knowledge that victory in this great, theatre oi: "war lias been so completely and so competently achieved. The valour and skill in arms of the men—soldiers, sailors, and airmen alike —the brilliance of their leaders and the genius of the High Command will ring down the ages. Today is. not YE Day, but it brings that day eyer nearer. Today we can justly rejoice, but always in our minds must be the realisation that even the war in Europe, let alone the war nearer our own shores, is not over. Therefore, all the services will go on as usual. MAINTENANCE OF SERVICES.

"I would make a special appeal to coal miners, freezing workers, and those engaged in transport services and in the food and restaurant service to ensure that the services remain available right through. We know what the stoppage of certain work may do. We must never forget that it might prejudice the war effort and inflict hardship not only on the Allied forces, but on the peoples of the United Kingdom and the countries of our allies. I know of some of the conditions existing in Holland today. If I told you that for some weeks some people in Holland have only had less than one-sixth of the food that we have had available and consumed in our country, you would understand more the great necessity of utilising all the services that are available for the production of meat and other foodstuffs in our country. With that reservation, I appeal to all the people of New Zealand to celebrate quietly today m a manner befitting its great significance. "I have telegraphed the heads of religious denominations inviting them to arrange that their churches be open today and this evening and available for services and .private and quiet prayer. "Flags should be flown at the masthead today on all Government buildings, and I ask that all local authorities and private citizens, where practicable, arrange for flags "To be flown also REMEMBRANCE OF DEAD. "In our thanksgiving and rejoicing we should remember our dead—all those who have made it possible—and we can best honour them in carrying on with our part in the struggle until final victory is won. "This really is a day of rededicahon. The first part of our task is over. There is the iask to so work and so act until the conflict is completely resolved, Japan defeated, and then to be [worthy of the men who have fought so well and to build a world worthy of the sacrifice made by the men and women who have lost their lives and those remaining behind who stay to mourn."