NO PARADE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32314, 15 September 1943, Page 5

NO PARADE

VICTORY CELEBRATIONS

DECISION IN PAEROA MUCH SACRIFICE STILL AHEAD At- a meeting of citizens of Paerba held in the Borough Chambers, Tuesday night, it was decided that no Italian Victory Parade be held on Saturday. The Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, presided, some 20-odd people attending. The unanimous opinion of all present was that although the , capitulation of the Italians was a big success for the Allies, any celebration before final victory was achieved was premature.

Mr D. Leach, president of the Paeroa Chamber of Commerce said that he had contacted a number of his members and they had all opposed the suggestion of a parade, consider ing such celebrations were premature and would be of no aid to the country’s war 'effort and would in fact result in a waste of petrol and time.

Mr D. G. McMillan said he considered that a victory parade was the last thing the public wanted. There was much hard fighting ahead and until, that was over nobody could rejoice.

Mr W. Sniith said he did not think it would be . reasonable to hold a vicdory parade. Too much petrol and time would be wasted.

Mr J. tH. Bartlett also spoke against the proposal of a parade. Major S. J. Hedge (on furlough from the Middle East) endorsed the opinion expressed last week >by the Paeroa Borough Council. There was, he agreed, general satisfaction in the progress achieved by the capitulation of Italy but there was still much to do before final victory was attained. He did not favour the suggestion of a parade.

Mr A. E. Day, headmaster of the Paeroa District High School said 'the school would co-operate with any arrangement that was made but personally he did not think it was the right time for celebrations.

*,■ Major Murray representing the Paeroa Army Office said that the Army would assist in whatever was agreed upon. Greatest Satisfaction The Major said that the greatest satisfaction had been felt at the capitulation of Italy thus removing from the conflict one of the principal Axis forces. The greatest benefit of the capitulation was the surrender of the Italian Navy which was one of the most formidable in the world. The gratitude of all would go out to all the men who brought about this success. There was, however, still much to be done’ with much sacrifice before final victory would be achieved. The time for celebration had,- in his. opinion, not yet arrived—this would be after final victory had been gained. The Mayor then moved the following resolution: we appreciate to the full the wonderful achievement which has been attained in bringing about tfte capitulation of the Italian nation and the surrender of the Italian Navy and that we offer to the Government our fullest assurance of loyal support and co-operation tq achieve ultimate victory, this representative meeting pf Paeroa citizens pledging itself and those organisations it represents to double their efforts to that end, but we feel that at the present juncture in view of the heavy task which still lies ahead that victory celebrations are inopportune and that no parade be held in Paeroa on Saturday.”

The resolution was seconded 'by Mr McMillan and carried unanimously.