THE CELEBRATION AT WELLINGTON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 September 1908, Page 2

THE CELEBRATION AT WELLINGTON.

A GOOD TURN-OUT. Unhid Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Sunday. Tho first anniversary of Dominion Day was celebrated in Wellington yesterday, with considerable enthusiasm. The weather conditions were extremely favourable, and everything passed off with great success. In the morning there was a demonstration in the Basin Reserve, there being presented to the great crowd of spectators a living New Zealand Ensign, composed of over 5000 coloured flags carried by children in three battalions and a national guard. The Dominion medals were presented by

His Excellency tho Governor to the head teachers for distribution among the children. Lord Plunket, in a short speech, said it" was important that the rising generation should be taught that the title of Dominion was not given as a toy to be played with, but as an acknowledgement that these islands were now entitled to a place in the rising sister nations of of the Empire, and in the belief that their people were prepared to accept the responsibilities which the higher status implied. Sir Joseph Ward said they should utilise, such an occasion for the purpose of impressing particularly upon the younger generation the great value of pride in their country, and the enormous avdantage it was to have instilled into the young minds of this growing Dominion the necessity of sincere and devoted patriotism to this portion of the great Empire. He hoped that before very long Dominion Day would be proclaimed a statutory holiday throughout the country, and the fixing of a certain day for certain work in connection with the Volunteer movement in New Zealand. There were more than 20.000 persons at Newtown Park in the afternoon, when the Governor inspected nearly 2400 Volunteers and cadets, when there was an impressive inarch past. The Prime Minister and Lady Ward were present, besides several other members of the Cabinet, members of the Legislature, and the members of the Council of Defence. The parade was probably the largest ever seen in Wellington, and was altogether an impressive and highly successful turn out. At night the city was splendidly illuminated, the chief feature being in admirable representation on the huge Government buildings of tho rising sun, symbolising New Zealand's bright future. There was a reception at the Town Hall presided over by the Mayor. Lord Plunket said he was satisfied the people of New Zealand did not intend their country to be a dominion only in name. He had noticed a slowly growing but clear indication that the country was realising its responsibilities. Th* spirit of nationality that was ari.'oig here was properly appreciated at Home. They could not blind their eyes to the fact that at a time of profound peace every nation was arming itself with feverish rapidity, and even in peace time tho commercial struggle for supremacy was almost -a war in itself. The sooner the Brit'sh colonies could fill their vacant lands, and the sooner they could evolve a force capable of at least adequately protecting themselves, the better for all. Sir Joseph Ward spoke of the significance of tho day's celebrations, and of the splendid and imp.trt.nnt future of New Zealand. He said it often happened through want of practical knowledge on the part of persons helping to control affairs in the old world that the Dominion did not receive that assistance in detail it was considered the country was entitled to. Representations had been made to the Mother Country asking for co-operation so that New Zealand could have a ship not now used in the old land, on which a thousand lads could be trained for the merchant marine or for ships of war. He was sorry to hear there had been no response to the request. There shonH certainly have been a reply, and he could not account for the indifference displayed. Sir Joseph Ward >-poke of the intention to increase New Zealand's naval contribution, and concluded with a quotation from "Tennyson's "Brother hold Your Own."