TURKEY'S SURRENDER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1918, Page 5

TURKEY'S SURRENDER.

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UN SIGHT. ItEJOICINGjTiN FAItLIAMEI\ I'. LABOUB LEADERS' SOMBIIE ißy JBiectrio Telegraph—Special to "Star.";

WELLINGTON, This Day. The opening- of the Uttoman Gate and the emancipation of tne grim but hallowed graveyard of Gallipoli and all the tangible and untaugible results associated with the signing of the armistice between the Allied Governments and the Government of Turkey were celebrated yesterday in the House of Representatives. The dominant sentiments which moved members and the public to rejoice were gratitude, joy, and touch of humility which, at one time, seemed almost as a cold douche upon the most fervent speakers. All sides and parties of the House found expression and the

gravity of the Labour leaders' note, which was an emotional plea for humility and justice, was lightened by the spirited sentiments of Mr Payne. The outstanding defect of the celebration was lack of brevity. The Premier read a telegram i from the Secretary of State and pointed out that although it was true that it was not unconditional surrender there was no doubt that it was very near to that position. He was satisfied tha£ the Allies would hold the key of the iron gate of the Dardanelles until a satisfactory peace had been arranged, and all were glad to think that at last the end was in sight. (Applause). Peace with victory was coming, and it was ceretain that there were signs of victory which would secure peace for the world for a long time to come. So to-day in every corner of the Empire and throughout the Allied countries there was rejoicing over the signs of victory on every British ship on Hie great seas. He announced that he had sent to the Imperial Government a cable requesting that, if at all possible, Anzacs should be sent to garrison the Dardanelles (applause).

The Premier emphasised the importance of ensuring that the soil

of Gallipoli, consecrated by the blood of our sons and beneath which lay the bones of many gallant men, should come under British control. He paid a glowing tribute to the Anzacs, Maoris and other Empire troops and to our gallant Allies for their war sacrifices, united with a note of just retribution for the foe. Peace, he declared, must never be signed till punishment is meted out to the enemy, and reparation wrested for his misdeeds, and not only punishment is demanded, but such conditions imposed as will ensure Germany's impotence to disturb the

peace of the world for, at all

events ,the next hundred years (Loud applause).

DAY OF EMANCIPATION

"I think I am right in saying," declared Sir Joseph Ward, who seconded the motion, that the majority of the people in this country to-day feel that it is the day of emancipation. It frees the whole civilised world from the intentions of the enemy, who started the war in the belief that Might was Eight, and was prepared to overcome the weaker nations, to conquer France, to make entry into Britain, cross the ocean to the United States of America, and become the dominant Power of the world. He proceeded to say that all this was a wonderfully ambitious scheme which, if it had been successful, would have enclosed the civilised world in chains of German militarism, and we would have become servants of a ruthless enemy, for the German Colonial Secretary had practically proclaimed that Germany must get a good deal more than her former possessions in the Pacific. What more could he mean than Australia and New Zealand So it was

the day, of emancipation. Sir Joseph Ward eulogised the work of Britain's Navy, and emphasised the Motherland's tremendous ef-

forts and sacrifices in the proescution of the war with the old dogged resolve of the British race. He paid a tribute to the immense sacrifices made by the workers of the Empire, and emphasised the necessity of recognising- that a new industrial position had to be faced by the men of all classes in view of the grand services the workers bad rendered to the Em-

pire in its day of trial. (Hear, hear.) HUMILITY ÜBGKD. Mr Hindmarsh, as Lead r of the Labour group, issued a different message to the people of Che country, a far-reaching doctrine of humility and national emulation in place of our soldiers' great work and sacrifices in the field of battle, I think on such an occasion as the present, he remarked, we should say we will do our best to mak? our country a better return. T think, therefore, we should regard the occasion more as one for serious thought, and be chastened in our joy by remeinberinjr that pepce has its victories, but peace also unfortunately has its sacrifices, as is well known. "Who are the nien, pmni n»i. mi ii i "Tin iUa Aniti Oint. liah npnrpst. the.A."—

: '

lie said, wno nourished this yt&TiiKe apu'icr JNot tne Voriung nieu out tue rulers ui tne j who say mat they have a sort oi jjivihe right to rule because they have wisdom and education. They tyre the men who have brought about this cataclysm of mankind.'•'.. A STUKDY NOTE. :

Mr Payne next rose and struck a sturdier note, declaring that he spoke on behalf of those men and women who had not considered what the war was about or whose the responsibility, but without hesitation had sent their husbands, sons and brothers to fight for the Empire in its time of peril. (Loud applause). What, cried the member for Grey Lynn, about the stalematers now? (Hear, hear.) I say that the majority of people, workers and others, in the British Empire possessed the dogged resourcefulness and pluck of the British race and were not stalematers. (Loud aoplause). ;

NEW ZEALAND'S HONOtTKS. The Minister of Defence, in endorsing" the sentiments expressed by the two leaders of the House, agreed with Mr Hindmarsh. that in the midst" of our joy we should ' be humble in face of the fearful sacrifices made, an in view of the tremendous problems to be met in the future, but in spite of all our humility, it was surely also a time for unspeakable joy and for manifestation of the spirit of thankfulness. (Hear, hear). The Minister read a list of honours just to hand, which had been bestowed on New Zealandera up to August 31st last. : The list, which totalled 3704, including 148 foreign decorations, contained five Victoria Crosses, the Minister explaining that one more at least had since' been bestowed, 107 D.S.O.'s, 364 Military Crosses, 262 D.Cl.'s, 1363 Military Medals, 113 Meritorious Service Medals, and 1051 mentions in despatches. Sir James Carroll spoke of the bonds of Empire forged "in the brotherhood of nrms during the great war.

IMPERIAL WAR CABINET. Mr Hornsby urged Parliament tf> support unanimously with effective co-operatinu the speedy departure of Mr Mas«?ey and Sir Joseph Word for London to referent the Dominion on the "War Cabinet at the moroorttnu<: timo He believed the people would support his suggestion. It raised no enthusiasm in the House. The motion was carried. The House and crowded galleries sang the National Anthem and doxology. The House then adjourned.