WAR ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16300, 5 August 1916, Page 8

WAR ANNIVERSARY.

DETERMINATION TO WIN.

AUCKLAND GATHERINGS.

ENTHUSIASM OF CITIZENS.

INTERCESSORY SERVICES

USFUKCHtJCG determination to continue j I :he •war to a victprious end was expressed j ay citizens at the patriotic demonstrations in various centres throughout New Zealand yesterday on the occasion of the j; second anniversary of Britain's declaration j af war on Germany. In Auckland all I J sections of the community rose to the j occasion, and the public meetings con- ' J rened in the afternoon and evening in the I city and suburbs -were generally -well- { ( attended. Services of intercession were | held bv churches of the various denomma- ; J lions, at which appropriate addressee were j delivered- j J A resolution formulated by the high. Hon. W. F. Masse}'. Prime Minister, whs I , submitted at each public meeting. It read j as follows : — i " That on this, the second anniversarv of the declaration of a rizhteous , war. this meeting of the « itizen? >>{ Auckland records its inflexible deter mination to continue to a victorious end the struegle in the maintenance of those ideals of liberty and justice which are the common and sacred j cause of the allies.'' The chief demonstration in Auckland j took place in the afternoon in the Town Hall concert chamber, which was filled i with a large and representative gathering j of citizens. Enthusiasm characterised the meeting. The Mayor of Auckland. Mr- I J. H. Gunson, presided, and among those: with him on the platform were the | Mavoress, Mrs. J. H. Gunson. Mr. H. D. > Heather, chairman of the Harbour Board, , Mr. A- J. Entrican. Deputy Mayor, j Colonel G. W. S. Patterson, officer com- j manding the Auckland military district, j and a number of city councillors and other j prominent citizens. j The proceedings opened with the singing of '"Rule, Britannia" by Mr. Barry Coney, the audience joining heartily in the chorus. Address by the Mayor. " During the past 12 months. - ' said the Mayor in an opening speech, "tremendous issues have been decided, and to-day—on the second anniversary of the outbreak of the war—we can look back upon the period which has elapsed with British pride and admiration. (Applause.) To- ■ day all hearts are hopeful that before: another anniversary comes round a lasting peace., based upon the success of the allied i arms, will have been proclaimed." I Mr- Heather, in proposing the Dominion \ resolution, said that during the past year • the tide bad definitely turned in favour of I the allies. ' I' The renewal of our vows to continue' this war to a victorious end is akin to a ! religious ordinance," said Mr. A. J. En- I trican, in seconding the resolution. i The resolution was then put to the meet- I ing and carried unanimously, amid ap- j plause. German Atrocities. Mr. J. Thornes moved. *' That in the opinion of this meeting it should be an indispensable condition of any peace that all those German officials responsible for the | crimes against humanity, which have been j perpetrated during the war. should be j personally tried before a judicial tribunal, j and punishment meted out to them commensurate with such crimes." The resolution was carried unanimously. | Ringing cheers were given for the offi- ] cers and men of the British and allied forces, and for the nurses at the front, ■ The meeting concluded with the singing ! of the National Anthem. j 1 Meetings in Suburbs. Great enthusiasm characterised meetings I of citizens in the suburbs. At Mount j Eden the residents were addressed by the Mayor, Mr. 0. Nicholson, who proposed! the resolution. It was seconded by Mr. j C. Hudson, Deputy-Mayor, and carried I unanimously. Mr. Murdoch McLean, Mayor j of Mount Albert, presided at a large meet- ; ing of residents in that borough, the motion being carried amid cheers. Stirring addresses were delivered by Mr. Wesley Spragg and Mr. M. J. Coyle. A large number of Onehunga residents assembled at the Lyceum Theatre, the patriotic resolution, proposed by the Mayor, Mr. J. Rowe, and seconded by Monsignor Mahoney, being carried unanimously. Meetings were also held in the boroughs of Newmarket, Devonport, Birkenhead, Northcote, Takapuna, Otahuhu and New Lynn and in the road board districts of Mount Roskill, One-tree Hill, Ellerslie and Epsom. In each case the resolution affirming the determination of citizens to carry the war to a successful conclusion was carried unanimously. Reference was made at all the meetings to the recent atrocities committed by the Germans and the opinion was strongly expressed that commensurate punishment should be meted out to those responsible. Decisive Issue Essential. " Much as we desire to see this terrible war finished, we can only desire peace on terms which will prevent a recurrence of another such devilish design on the world's peace in years to come," remarked Dr. A. W. Averill. Anglican Bishop of Auckland, in the course of his sermon at St. Matthew's Church yesterday morning. There was a large congregation, which included the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Gunson, and Colonel G. W. S. Patterson. Officer Commanding the Auckland District. The features of the musical part of the service were the singing of the Russian National Anthem and Kipline's Recessional. Bishop Averill paid a tribute to the Russian Army and to the French forces, and said all must cling to the belief that in the end right must prevailServices in Other Churches. Large congregations assembled at the intercessory services in St. Mary's Cathedral. In the morning the Rev. \V. Lambert preached, and Archdeacon G. Mac-Murray preached in the evening. "The war has brought out the Vreat unity of the British ~ Empire, and" the miserable failure of the well-laid German plans," remarked the Rev. I. Jolly at the intercessory services held in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church last night The moderator of the presbytery, the Rev. R. Inglis, presided. Mr." Jolly emphasised the fact that the Empire was fighting for the cause of liberty, truth and righteousness, and that future generations would appreciate the full justice of the cause. „ The subject of the address given' at the Pitt Street Methodist Church intercessors service by the Rev. \V. J. Elliott, of Devonport, was "The War and Faith " while the Rev. E. T.- Cox', of the East Street Mission, -poke on " Master* ~j Victory.'' The Rev. C. H. Garland pre sided, and the Rev. C. H. Laws, th* Rev. H. E. Bellhouse. and the Rev. J. J. Lewis also took part in the service. Services of intercession were held in St Paul's Church at mid-dav and also in th« evening. An address was delivered at th« former serf ice by the Rev. W. 0. Monck ton. An intercessorv service, held in tin evening in the Auckland Baptist Taber r.acle, was well attended. An addre<=< was delivered by the Rev. H. KnowleKempton. A special anthem was sunn h\ the choir, and the Tabernacle bov scout! paraded. A special service commemorating the anniversary of the declaration o | war was also held at All Saints' Church i 1 onsonby.

Reports from countrr correspondents indicate that the official resolution was adopted at large gatherings at each centre in the province. Press Association telegrams state that the anniversary -was fittingly observed in all parts of the Dominion.