AT WELLINGTON

Grey River Argus, 13 November 1918, Page 3

AT WELLINGTON

GOVERNOR READS "NEWS.

TO ENORMOUS CONCOURSE

MESSAGE FROM THE KING

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, November 12. In the presence of an enormous and enthusiastic concourse of people that ■ assembled in front 'of the Parliamentary Library steps, the' Governor-Gen-eral this morning at Kj.3o announced that the armistice between the Allies and Germany had been sighed. The ceremony, which Was simplicity itself, was devoid of any elaborate features. It consisted of His Excellency, accompanied by the' Countess and Ministers of the Crown;- proceeding to the steps, where His Excellency, in a clear voice.^ read the 'following cable from Sir Walter Long " (Secretary for, the Colonies) dated London lith:— "the armistice was signed at o o'clock tins morning." .; This was received with »i wild outburst of cheering. His • Excellency then announced he had received - a message from the King, which :he was commanded. to read to the 1 people as follows: "At the moment when the armistice is signed, bringing I trust, a final end to the hostilities which have convulsed the whole' world for more than four years, I- desire to <send a. message of greeting and heartfelt gratitude to my overseas 'fieoplcs. whose wonderful efforts a nrf sacrifices have contributed so greatly f cV -secure, the victory .which has now been, -won. /■ .-Together, ■we have borne this tremendous burden Th. the fight fdr justice and liberty — together we can now rejoice at the realisation of tliose. great aims for which we entered the struggle. The whole Empire pledged its word not to sheath the sword until the end was achieved. That pledge is now redeemed. The outbreak of war found the whole Empire one. I rejoice to think that the end of the struggle Finds the Empire still more closely united by a common resojve to ' hold firm . tlirough all vicissitudes by community of suffering and sacrifice, and by dangers and triumphs shared, together." The hour is one of solemn thanksgiving, and of gratitude to God, Whose divine providence has preserved us through, all peril, and. crowned our arms with victory. Let. us bear our triumph in the same spirit of fortitude and selfcontrol with which we Tiave borne our dangers. (Signed) George R.1." To .this. His Excellency stated, he sent the following reply.:— "New Zealand thanks your Majesty for your gracious message to-day.' This Dominion, in common wifti your Majesty's whole Empire and the Allies rejoices at the cessation of hostilities, and feels that, however great the sacrifices have been, the issue leaves no doubt that they have not been made in vain. -New ' Zealand earnestly prays That by the blessing of providence, your Majesty may long be spared to reign over ottr Empire, at peace and united, not only for the good of its own peoples, but for the welfare of the whole world. (Signed) Liverpool, Gvernor-General." , Cheers were then called for by His Excellency for "Our Boys." aTter which the great crown joined in singing the National Anthem, when more cheers were given and the crowd rapidly dispersed to take part in fhe ■city celebrations.