PEACE CELEBRATION

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 3829, 4 July 1919, Page 2

PEACE CELEBRATION

ONE DAY—NOT THREE

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, July 3. A telegram from the Secretary of Stato says: The German delegates afc Versailles have been notified that the Allied and Associated Governments are ready to raise the blockade as scon as they have been officially advised of the 'regular and complete ratification of tho Peace Treaty by Germany. , _ . The Minister of Interna] Affairs sliitea that late hist night a (.-able was received from tin , Jmperiiil Government notifying tliat a thanksgiving service shall take place on Sunday next throughout the Empire, being tho first Sunday after the declaration of pence. It also has been decided, willi his Majesty's sanction, to hold the celebrations in tho United Kingdom on Saturday, July ID and liavo all the celebrations on one day. Cabinet has resolved that the celebrations shall tako placo in Now Zealand on the same day as in the Mother-Country. OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION. Wellington, July 3. The Proclamation from the King announcing that tho Treaty of Peace had been concluded, and commanding the observance of a day of Thanksgiving, was read from the steps of tho now Parliament Buildings by the Deputy Governor-General, Sir Robert Stout, in the presence of a gathering of about 1500 people. When tho reading had been concluded, Sir Robert Stout said he hoped tho war had helped to teach all the people that it was their duty, as citizens of the Empire, to do what they could to make tho life of tho nation and the life of humanity better and greater and more glorious than it had been in the past. Sir James Allen said that in August 1914 on the steps of tho old Parliament Buildings a proclamation of a very different sort hod been read. "We were then entering upon the most critical titno in the history of New Zealand and of tho Empire." We knew not at the time what a struggle lay before us, but we knew to-day what we have been through. Traditions were Avith us to-day. They had boon glorified by the events of war and tho ywere of niorjo reality to us than they were in. 1914. The deeefs or many during the last five years" jina acfde'o* to the traditions which were sacred and hallowed to every Britisher. We were not a decadent nation. We had proved that wo could win in justice, freedom ,and righteousness. Tho ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem and a spontaneous outburst of cheering. CHRISTCHURCH THREE DAYS. Christcliurch, July 3. At a meeting of the Programme Committee to-night, in connection with the local Peace celebrations, it was decided to hold a special Thanksgiving service on Sunday next, but all cither thanksgiving services, for which special preparations are being made will bo held on the 20th inst. It was agreed that tho original arrangements for the three-days' programme bo adhered to. THE COUNCIL OF TEN. CONFERENCE WORK RESUMED. (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright). (Aus.-N.Z. Cable Association.) Paris, July J. Tho Council of Ton has resumed the Peaco Conference work. Mr. A. J. Hal four. Sign.or Tiltoni, and Mr. ]?.. I ansiiiff are acting for Mr. Lloyd George, Signor Orlando, and President Wilson respectively. "NEVER AGAIN!" UK. MASSEY ON THE WAR'S LESSONS. London, July 1. Mr. W. F. Massey, in an interview immediately after tho signature of the Peace Treaty, said the signing was tho signal for universal relief in" the world which could look forward to a period of rest, while slowly Upturning to normal conditions. Nevertheless the lesson of the war must be kept steadily in mind. Neither Britain nor tbe peace loving nations should allow themselves to be caught with insufficient forces to resist a possible tack. "When we remember the German atrocities, and the latest treachery at Scapa Flow, we can only say never again.' " ' .' Archdeacon Innes Jones will return to bedding from the Synod this evening, in order to prepare for the Peace I Jianksgiving service on Sunday. The bvnod has closed to enable all tho clergy to return homo for tho celebrations.