PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1240, 22 July 1919, Page 5

PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

- - ♦ A GREAT SATURDAY MEMORABLE PROCKSSION IMPORTANT SPEECHES THE CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY Unfortunately, the weather conditions were not entirely favourable for the peace celebrations. Friday was beautifully warm and clear, and gave promise of a Fne tomorrow. But Saturday brought with it tbe densest mist Te Kuiti has experienced for a long time, and there was doubt as to whether the ■ports or the indoor programme would have to be carried out. The sports won the day, and as it turned out tbe rain was but trifling. There was a rawness in the morning air, however, which caused citizens to be thoroughly clad. PATRIOTISM OF THE PEOPLE It must be said that the citizens have risen to the great occasion in a fitting manner. There was burlesque, but it was inevitable and merely incidental to ths joyou*ness of the victory, white tbe more sombre note for the fallen and the bereaved, was never lost sight of. The people showed their patriotism io tbe clearest possible manner, and they showed that they meant all they said and did. Christmas decorations have been but half-heartedly carried out in recent years, but Peace will ever be remembered as a Day wben decorations were exhibited in a way never known before and hardly likely to be beaten for a long time to come. All the board!ngbooses, nearly all the shops, and many public buildings were fairly bedecked with greenery, flag* and decorations of all descriptions. Tbe railway station is particularly worthy of mention. TBE ARCHES The five arches reflected the greatest credit on tboJe responsible for their erection, decoration and lighting. Borough officials and others have worked for very long hours indeed to bring these features to tbe point witnessed by the public on Saturday. A BUSY SCENE Onlookers in Rora street viewed an unwonted spectacle on Saturday morning. Vast crowds of people paraded the streets and all took tbe keenest interest in tbe novel proceedings. Little children, weirdly decorated, rode up and down on draught horses, on ponies, and walked about displaying their gaudy colours with pardonable pride. Gaily decorated motor cars went up and down until it was time to marshal the procession. THE "PEACE" TREES The Maoris marched from the pa to the "Peace" plot opposite tbe Municipal Hal), where three "Peace" trees —oak and ash—were to be well and truly planted to commemorate the great day. In the presence of a vast assemblage, the Mayor, Mr G. P. Finlay, said that one tree wonld be planted by him, one by Mr P. D. Har--0 reaves. representative of the Waitomo Coonty Council, in the absence of Mr James Wall, and tbe third by Mr George Hetet, chief of the Maniapoto tribe of Maoris. . "Mr Hetet." said Mr Finlay, "is planting it in the name of the native people, of whom we are so proud. We trust that these trees will ever serve to remind you all of (be dark days through which we passed and tbe better days wbich have fallen upon us." The Mayor planted bis tree, amidst hearty cheering. Mr Hargreaves followed suit, and then Mr Eketone Pepene formally introduced Mr Hetet. and said that tbe right man had been chosen to plant the tree, which would be a worthy commemoration of such a great day. As soon aa it was done, it was only right that the Maoris should give a dance of victory. Mr Hetet then planted his tree. Again there was cheering. THE HAKA OF VICTORY

The Maoris bad made great preparation for the ceremony. The Bir Ist of Te Kuiti and Oparure had been working long and hard to make costume* and other decorations. Some of the performers were decked with mats of a fine type, ontr or two wore what appeared to be real buia feather*, and mere* and tsiaba* were plentiful. The haka was given with (treat •pint and was greatly appreciated by the assembled multitude. THE PROCESSION Tbe procession was by degrees formed up. Tbe Marshal. Mr J. W. Cochrane, made a splendid figure at the head of tbe imposing array and tbe arrangements were well carried out. Mr R M. Snmervilte. chairman of the Procession Committee, worked diligently tn make it a success.

THE RETURNED MEN Returned soldiers attended in remarkable numbers. A good muster was expected, but nothing like the crowd who came. There moat have been well over 160 in attendance. They marched to the starting base under Lieut. Robertson; then Captain Boles took command. Tbe marching of tbe soldiers t was remarkably even and bore evidence to the value of their training. Their appearance and display constituted quite a feature of tbe day's celebrations. Tbe Band, under Bandmaster T. Dix and Conductor A. D. Timbers, moved off first. Tben came tbe returned men, the great majority of whom were in uniform. Maoris from all over the district, O para re especially, followed. Many were in faney costume.

THE CHILDREN The school children were controlled by the teachers and members of the School Committee. They took tbe very keenest interest in tbe event and seemed to realise that it was their day entirely and there can be no doubt that an ineffaceable memory has been imprinted on their brains. Many of tbe little ones were in fancy costume. One lad made a fine Red Indian, another looked tbe part of Uncle Sam, another a Red Cross nurse, one was in full uniform. THE VEHICLES

Next came the Druids' van, which was decorated, but duly solemn. Tbe Foresters' van was also decorated. The Worst Bros'. Circus occupied much road space and much attention One worthy made a noise on a kerosene tin, tbe clown appeared in the gladdest rags Te Kuiti has seen for years, and tbe animals in the zoo were duly terrifying. The wooden horse at the rear defied description. Tbe New Zealand Express Company's van was particularly well decorated. Then came girls and boys on horses, the Waitomo County Council's submarine —a remarkable piece of work —and general motor cars, most of wbich were profusely caparisoned with evergreen. Tbe procession conquered everything on the way to tbe railway station, and it returned to the northern end of the town. TBE MAYOR'S SPEECH

In front of Kelvin Bouse, tbe soldiers and children formed a hollow square. The Mayor tben addressed the returned soldiers.

He bad been asked, he said, to tender a welcome home to tbe soldiers, who bad come back, and to tender that welcome in the name, not only of the people of Te Kuiti, but of all in tbe Waitomo County. It was but fitting that they should thank tbe giver before they proceeded to enjoy tbe gift of peace.

"We realise what the soldiers' gift has coat," Mr Finlay said. "We know something of what your labours and sacri6ces have been. Although I speak with one single voice, yet I speak in effect for all the people of the district when I say 'welcome back, and thank you ' " (Loud cheers.) Our hearts are full of the deepest thankfulness when we say those words. You have gone through the agony. We can feel what that last glimpse of home must have been to you when you sailed away to the war, and some made that last and greatest sacrifice that men can make for the fulfilment of their duty to their country. We can realise something of your last few miles to meet the enemy, but we can only imagine the Bell that met you there. You can never tell us and we can never know. We can form some idea of what you went through in the hospitals. "Again, we say, 'thank you' from the bottom of our hearts. We know some are buried in a foreign soil, and to those who sit lonely at borne, we can only say 'thank you.' If ay God bless and soothe them. PERILS OF THE FUTURE "We stand to-day in stirring times. The old world is fairly rocking with the desperation of the agitation of the past few years. Soldiers, we don't know what is going to happen in this country to-morrow, and I want to aek you, an you have saved this country in war. to save ber tomorrow in peace. (Applause.) Some of you have died for your country; now. 1 want you to live for your country. In that way will you reach the very heights of heroism. Face the dangers to come as you have faced the dangers of war. Help this young country. Pick out honest men for the highest places—men with no thought of pelf or self. Now that we have peace, we want you to see that there is tranquillity and order that we may enjoy it. "I bid you welcome.." (Applause.) Cheers were given for the Mayor and the returned soldiers.

ADDRESS TO THE CHILDREN Addressing the children, tbe Mayor said that there was a purpose in making the day a children's day. To-morrow the children would be tbe rulers, and they wanted the children to know what their »lders knew now. This was the day t-> impress it on their minds. Tbe children should learn tbe lesson from the telling, not from the book of bitter experience. The first lesson was patriotism and tbe second was preparedness. They were to love their country and to be ready to serve at any time. Wars were not yet over as deep in the hearts of men was fixed the desire to be top dog. Everyone wanted that. Tbe nations were composed of similarly minded men and women, and so long as people were what they were would every nation strive to be the topmost. It wbs the place of the children to hold what the soldiers bad fought for. The renown ths soldiers of New Zealand bad won must be retained. Let them dedicate their lives to this.

Germany started with her school children and told them that their country came before all things, even life. When the trouble came, her people were solid, and she felt herself very strong. Tbey saw how France bad drifted and the unwillingness of the French to become soldiers. They saw the real weakness of Russia. They Baid the English were indolent and that Germany would be the foremost nation. Because Britain did not seem patriotic or prepared, tbe trouble came. Now, We muse remain rea-ly. The children must love their country and do everything they had to do in all spheres of life with all their heart and all their might. Their country was ahead and they must see that it remained ahead. The country would be stronger for the love the people and children bore it. Tbey . should sacrifice for the sake of the nation. With every man an expert in his own job, the country could never be attacked. The flag was going to come into the£ keeping of the children, and they mußt 6t themselves to tbe trust repoßed in them. (Applause.) It was then noon, and the Mayor celled on Mr T. Dix, bugler, and winner of eight cornet competitions, to sound the Last Post. Wben this was done, five minutes' silence waß observed in honour of the fallen.

SOLDIERS' DINNER The returned men were entertained at dinner in the Municipal Hall. Those present included about a dozen prominent civilian?, specially invited. The dinner was excellent in all respects. Mr R. M- Somerville called on those present other than returned soldiers to drink the health of the returned men. All were glad to see the number of soldiers present. The toast was duly honoured, and all sang "For They are Jolly Good Fellows." Mr J. D. Vernon, on behalf of the soldiers, returned thanks for the kind things said about them. He only hoped tbey all deserved them. !He wished to thank the ladies very ! much for what they had done that day. The ladles had, at no small | trouble to themselves, worked hard and turned on such a tine dinner. j (Loud and continued applause). AT THE DOMAIN The children were given an excellent lunch and their elders vied with each other in seeing that the little ones were properly provided for. The crowd |>oured into the Domain. where the arranged sports gathering took place. The officials worked bard and well, and the events were got off very successfully, though it was a triSe damp under foot Much interest was provided by the Worst Bros.' Circus. The William Tell trick, slightly modernised, made many hundreds laugh, while the leaping animals through the flames proved a popular feat. The other entertainments did their work well and the object to give the children the pleasing memory of one great day, was undoubtedly achieved. The children had their afternoon tea and most of them retired homeward, well content. Each child received a souvenir book in honour of the occasion. POI DANCES Maori ladies and girls from Oparure bad possession of the platform near the railway station at 7 p.m. and gave remarkably attractive dancen. First the ladies gave a wahine poi, and then the girls gave a kotiro poi. All the performers showed surpassing grace and charm. Their piu pins were all made by the strls recently and the work was very beautiful. The crowd cheered again and again. THE ARCHES OF TRIUMPH The five arches of triumph were splendid pieces of work and the glory of the lighting (with the pretty red, white and blue effects) could be seen everywhere despite the thickness of the mist. Messrs Dix and Muir and their helpers deserve great credit. The torchlight procession took place, and it absorbed all attention. Following it came the display of fireworks.

After this, tbe crowds poured into the theatres. Pictures wern shown at the Empress by courtesy of th« proprietaiy and a vaudeville and concert programme was given at the People's Palace.

SELF SACRIFICE ADDRESS BY MR BEATTIE Tbe People's Picture Palace was well filled on Sunday evening when an addreaa was delivered by the Rev. P. M. Beattie, at the request of the Celebrations Committee. The Mayor (Mr Finlay) presided, and was supported by Mr Hargreaves (Waitomo County representative.) The Band, under Conductor Timbers, played Chopin's Funeral March in an impressive manner. After a prayer, uttered by Mr Beattie, the Peace Choir, under the conductorsbip of Mr A. W. Pattison, gave an excellent rendering of the anthem "Radiant Morn."' The Last Post was then given. Mr Beattie said they had all read Britißh hißtory with pride. At Jutland, the pride of the enemy was crushed. Many times had British arms defended liberty, and he reviewed some of the battles of the past. Even the charge of the Light Brigade paled before some of the battles of the present war. To-day, we had peace, and the soldiers could not forget the scenes of the past four years. What lessons had'we learnt from the days of suffering? Were we inspired by higher ideals in moral, national and civic life? "A call to self sacrifice" was his topic. As a nation and a people, we must sacrifice something for tbe Emoire and for others. No one could serve God and Mammon. There was a grest r>arallel between Elijah's time and ours. Elijah thought Israel's plight a hopeleßS one, but we were faced with the regeneration of Belgium and other countries. New Zealand had been far removed from the seat of war. We had not beard the groans of the dying. New Zealand had something to do. It was in principle the same as Elijah's, and we should make some sacrifices to repair the damage done. Until men and womsn recsived the vision and the ideal cam?- plainly into view, they would do nothing. They were going to rise from the meeting and do something for those who were in need The essential was to feel the sickly pulse of the world, and bb we were touched with the in6rmitieß of others, we would not fail to rise. Had the still small voice come? If bo. let them act upon its power and go forth to help

MEANING OF SACRIFICE Self sacrifice meant restitution. Millions were living in sorrow today when they contemplated their devastated homeland. There must be hard work, honesty and thrift. It was those virtues that would save us from the penary that followed every war. Could we in Te Kuiti say we had not been prodigal in our amusements? He saw his own faults, too. Did we stoD our pleasure when men wera dying? We should not throw it on the shoulders of our neighbours. Let each do his part to bring about restriction. DRINK QUESTION There was another serious matter, the drink problem. Britain had tried to emancipate herself from its tbraldom. New Zealand had also tried. Europe had been ablaze with the idea of emancipation. Francs and Switzerland banned absinthe, and Russia stopped vodka. Our population was only a million and the average expenditure per head wbs about £4. Someone must be getting a lot. He had had none, and he knew others who had had none. That wastage was preventing as from giving our utmost for the benefit of others. What were we prepared to sacrifice? Rosebery said: "If you don't throttle the Trade, the Trade will throttle you " LABOUR PROBLEMS Great profits had been made from certain trades, continued Mr Beattie, but the wages of the breadwinners had not gone uo proportionately. It was no wonder that there was laboar unrest But surely there was another way of settling the question than by the strike method, which was civil war. Now that the League of Nations had started so promisingly, it was terrible that two sections of the community should look on each other as beasts of prey. If arbitration could do any good, let as stand shoulder to shoulder and raise the Empire higher. Did we realise that we were bound i together in the bundle of life?

EDUCATION ft was now realised tbat if we are to compete in the race, the education of our youth must be pushed forward. How many young men bad a real living interest in the civics of Te Kaiti and general politics? They would have to bear the burden, and they should be trained at the right time Many returned men could not go back to the old life. Some had gone on the land, but farmers must be educated to their business. There was a technical echool here. Why not have the returned men given an elementary training there? The same applied to other lines. Mr Beattie concluded by Baying, "Thank God for Peace." The choir sang the anthem "Sun of My Soul." The National Anthem and the "War March of Priests" (Atbalie) brought the proceedings to a close.