Australia Will Celebrate “With the Lid Off”

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 190, 13 August 1945, Page 5

Australia Will Celebrate “With the Lid Off”

FIRE ENGINE CAREERS MADLY ROUND TASMANIAN TOWN Received Sunday, 8.50 p.m. SYDNEY, August 12. A two days’ holiday will be proclaimed in Australia to celebrate Victory in the Pacific Day. Mr. Chifley has approved the following plans: A national two days’ holiday; thanksgiving services; and complete freedom for all forms of national celebration. The Acting Premier of New South Wales (Mr. Baddeley) has invited the people to enjoy the victorv celebration “with the lid off.” Siirviilianeously he warned tfcfct the police would sternly suppress excesses that endangered life or property. Early this morning a crowd celebrating at King’s Cross got out of hand and were shepherded out of the area by the police. So dense was the crowd and so boisterous their behaviour that some girls panicked and shrieked to be released.

Mr. Chifley said the Government considered that hotels, theatres, music halls and cinemas should remain open at the usual times during the victory celebrations except during the thanksgiving services between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All the New South Wales hotel employees, however, have been fhstructed by the Liquor Trades Union to cease work as soon as the surrender of Japan is announced. The Union claims that its members would be exposed to danger from crowds if the hotels remain open.

Queensland has decided to celebrate in advance. Monday has been declared a public holiday to celebrate the Japanese peace offer. There was dancing in the Brisbane streets last nigit to the music of bands and orchestras. The main street was floodlit.

People in Perth jitterbugged on Tfie tops of cars in the streets while in Hobart people danced and sang unrestrainedly. In the Tasmanian town of New Norfolk, revellers brought out the town fire engine and drove madly around the town.