LONDON PREPARES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 134, 8 May 1945, Page 7

LONDON PREPARES

BELLS AND BONFIRES FLAGS APPEAR EARLY (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, May 7. The nation is awaiting Mr Churchiil’s broadcast. Excitement rose to a high pitch in London’s streets as newspaper sellers began shouting: “It’s all over.” The pealing of church bells, church services, the flood-lighting of famous buildings, bonfires, dancing and an extension until midnight lor licensed premises have been planned for the celebration in the United Kingdom. In London, blitz-stained and warshabby, batteries of arc-lamps will flood-light Big Ben, dozens of floodlamps will light up the Horse Guards Parade and the Courtyard. A 10minute peal will be given by the bellringers at Westminster Abbey as soon as the official announcement is made and there will be 20-minute services in the Abbey every hour until 10 p.m. St. Paul’s will ring out the news to the city of London. The Cathedral will be floodlit and will remain open for those who wish to pray.

Tt is reported that Mr Churchill will probably make a speech from the balcony of the Ministry ot Health building in Parliament Square and loudspeakers will relay his remarks. Theatres and cinemas will continue as usual on both VE-Day holidays, many dance halls will remain open until 3 a.m. and transport services will run as usual, but most of the shops will close. Morning newspapers will not be published on the day after VE-Day. Post Offices will dose and and there will be no deliveries or collections. Although there have been one or two minor false starts to the celebrations, the average man in the street lias been taking events calmly.

Flags were hanging across big London office and hotel buildings, in front of small shops and scattered houses soon after dawn in anticipation of an early aiiounccment of VE-Day.

The appearance of flagpoles from the windows of other buildings showed that the more cautious people were ready to run out flags when they were sure the moment had arrived. There were premature celebrations in one .district when a group of sailors climbed some scaffolding and rang a peal of victory bells. HOTELS "to" BE OPEN

CABINET DECISION. (Press Assn.) WELLING TON, May S. Hotel‘ring today to tlio ivpresenta lions made to the Government to close hoi tel bars during the days of thanksirjvinrr iiiul cclobrn tion the Acting prime Minister (Mr Nash) said much thought had been given to the subject and it bad been decided to carry on ns usual. • . . “Tin- Government’s decision not, to take action in this matter was reached onlv after the fullest consideration had been given to all aspects of the question, as well as taking into account advice and information on the subject,” said Mr Nash, “With a full sense of its responsibility, the Government is firmly of the opinion that the spirit of 1 hanksgiving which it hopes and believes will be the 1 1 “' dominant note of the celebrations will in no sen.so or decree bo violated b.\ the decision. I believe the decision is correct and wise, and our men and women, exercising the ordinary privileges and restraint, will live up to tlm high standard of good conduct that has brought New Zealanders a very high reputation throughout the world.” CELEBRATION TOMORROW MR NASH'S REQUEST. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, May 8. The Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Nash) Inis telegraphed to all Mayors, county chairmen, and heads of other local bodies: “In my broadcast statement to .be made at 1 a.m. tomorrow (Wa InesUay) immediately following Mr Churchill's broadcast, I will announce that the New Zealand National VE-Day ceremony, at which the Governor-General will speak, will be held in Wellington at 12 noon that day (Wednesday). Your own local ceremony should therefore be not earlier than one hour later. Bells and sirens should be sounded at / a.m. tomorrow and ilags and bunting 'Hocwi and displayed that day and on Thursday.

‘•The holidays mentioned in my original Press statement will’ he observed here in New Zealand all day tomorrow ( Wednesday') and Thursday.” CITY DECORATED PROCESSION TOMORROW. Palmerston North received the great nows of Germany’s total surrender in sober fashion, but on many faces there were joyful looks. The Square was transformed half-way through the morning, when owners of private and public buildings broke out their flags —stowed away for so long awaiting this day. Tlte flags of all the United Nations were hoisted and Guttered gaily in the bright sunshine fanned by a light breeze. Strings of bunting were hung across the roadway at intervals, and it would seem that the flowers in the Square gardens bloomed even more brightly for the occasion making a line show in the sunshine. On almost every juvenile bicycle a Union Jack fluttered, and on scores of moto'-cars there were flags and red, white and blue streamers. Jn the residential area many a gatepost and house carried flags, and it was quite evident that the relief from the strain of the past six years , was appreciated. The official celebrations tomorrow will begin at 10 a.m. with the services in the churches and the general celebrations commence at 11 a.m. in the Square. The procession will take place immediately following the church services. Addresses will ho given from the hand rotunda. In the event of wet weather the gathering will be held ill the Opera House. At. 9 a.m. whistles, sirens and hells will he sounded. 'l’iie chairman of the Kairanga County Council (Cr IV. 11. Hopc-mlt) at today’s meeting of the council, referred to the momentous. events of the day. It was n matter of congriituhltion that Germany had heeir defeated, he. said, and it was to bo boiled that soon it would all he over. The councillors supported lilt; chairman's remarks. .At the dairy fat-lory managers’ meeting at the Dairy Prsearoh Institute. (ddily. on the tall of Professor W. Iliddcl three .cheers were given for

AIT Churchill and the other Allied leaders and for those who had played such a great part in the victory. In the course of expressing their thanks, added Professor Riddot, they must not forget the sons of dairy factory managers and others who had given their all in the -great conflict. All present stood for u moment in silence as a mark of respect to those who had fallen.