Victory Commemorated By Whangarei Council

Northern Advocate, 15 September 1945, Page 3

Victory Commemorated By Whangarei Council

In commemoration of final victory, the following resolution, moved by the chairman (Mr. J. Morrison) was put on record by the Whangarei County Council yesterday:—

“That this council place on record its thankfulness that the world war has been brought tc a successful conclusion, and, in so doing, humbly acknowledge the great debt we owe primarily to the armed forces of the British Empire—the army, navy, air force and mercantile marine—with our Allies, who have so gallantly brought about the complete overthrow of powerful enemies, whose aim was destruction of civilisation and enslavement of the peaceloving and free poeples of the world. “Let uk extend to all sorrowing relatives our heartfelt sympathies for the irreparable loss of those gallant sons and daughters of New Zealand, who played such a heroic part in the cause dF justice and freedom. “To those members of the forces who have been spared to return to their home land, we say, well done. You have acquitted yourselves with conspicuous gallantry and we applaud and appreciate your service tc your country; and to those who suffer the effects of combat, we offer our sincere wishes for a speedy and complete recovery. “It is appropriate that we, as British people, should give expression to our feelings of pride in, and our admiration for, the conspicuous and unremitting and heroic leadership of. Mr. Winston Churchill, whe, in our darkest hours, never faltered in his ‘bulldog’ example and determination to achieve victory.”

Individuals Should Assist Continuing. Mr. Morrison said that if the Allies carried on with the close co-operation shown during the war, there should be no fear of our not winning the peace. He paid a tribute to the leaders of the armed forces, and also to the lower ranks, who had carried through with their duties. If, was for us, said Mr. Morrison, to do everything possible to assist in the rehabilitation of service personnel. The Government was doing its best, but there was also need for the individuals to help in the many ways that would be open to them. Cr. R. Feaver also stressed the need for the individual members of the public to assist returned service personnel in rehabilitating themselves. Me mentioned the farming industry, where neighbouring farmers could assist returned service settlers in so many ways. Many of the men who had returned had largely forgotten the way of civilian pursuits, and there was need for them to be assisted lo •relearn. Cr. J. Scott-Davidson also spoke. As a mark of respect to those who had fallen in the struggle and as an expression of sympathy with those who had lost relatives., the counci I passed the motion by standing in sii-1 once. i