TRAFALGAR DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8258, 22 October 1912, Page 2

TRAFALGAR DAY

WELLINGTON CELEBRATION. ADDRESS BY SLR JOSEPH WARD. Flags flying from public buildings, business premises, schools and shipping vesterdav signified that Wellington was celebrating the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. At a number of schools children paraded and saluted tho flag. In the afternoon a naval picture entertainment was held at tho King’s Theatre. There was an attendance of fully 5000 children, and many hundreds had to bo turned away. Sir Joseph Ward. New Zealand president of the Navy .League, and many prominent citizens were present. Telegrams expressing regret for absence were received from tlie Hons. James Allen (Minister of Defence), H. D. Bell, A. L. Herdman and F. M. B. Fisher. Mr Allen said: “Owing to previous engagement 1 am unable to accept the invitation of the Navy League for this afternoon. Please say to the juvenile members of the league that I am sure their loyalty to their own country and to the greater organisation of which it is a part will increase as tho years go by, and express to them the hope that we may be tho means of obtaining peace in the world.”

Sir Joseph Ward said that in commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar they in Wellington, or in New Zealand, were not anxious to do anything further than pay their tribute of respect to the greatest admiral tho British Navy knew, who made it possible for all people living under tho British flag to bo free wherever they might be. Ho decided to emphasise that the Navy League was not established with tho idea of creating any impression that they wanted to fight or go to war. The league was founded for tho purpose of preserving peace for the people of to-day and the future, and to prevent other than peace arising with other nations. They had a great and responsible duty 'before them, and that was to always do all in their power to help the Old Laud and other portions of it to have so lar"e and powerful a navy that tho Empire would be protected through all time. They lived in a country which was a great part of tho British Empire and which had all the requirements to enable them when they became men and women to get on in tho world. Ho hoped they would remember that the men who fell on Trafalgar Day helped New Zealand and other parts of the Empire to fly tho old British flag, which meant so much to them all. (Loud cheers.) Tho management of tho King’s Theatre announce that those children who were not able to gain admission yesterday will have an opportunity of using their tickets at 4 o’clock this afternoon. , Yesterday afternoon Mr C. W. Palm, er re-formed branches of tho Navy League at Miss Baber’s school and tho Girls’ College. SPEECHES BY THE MAYOR. Tho Mayor (Mr D, McLaren), as president of the Wellington branch of the Navy League, addressed audience* at various theatres in tho evening. Addressing the audience at the Empress Theatre Mr McLaren said that as president of the Wellington branch of the Navy League ho wished to mention what work the league was doing, not merely in Wellington, but right throughout New Zealand. He wished to disabuse the minds of any who thought that the league was formed for tho purpose of maintaining a jingoistic spirit. It was for the purpose of maintaining the rights and- liberties of the British people, which ho thought they would recognise would be best preserved by protecting the interests and rights of the British people right throughout tho world. He thought they should have a fleet in the Pacific that would be able to protect the shores of Australia and Now Zealand. The battle that was fought over a hundred years ago had given to tho British people liberties and rights which it was their duty to protect, not only in their own interests, but in the interests of the rising generation. The people from one end of tho country to the other would recognise _ that it was necessary to maintain British interests, not in a spirit of bravado, but in a spirit of true patriotism, and in the interests of the whole of the people of the Empire. (Applause.) Mr McLaren also spoke at the New Theatre, Shortt’s Theatre and tho Theatre Royal. CELEBRATIONS ELSEWHERE. WELLINGTON WREATH ON NELSON MONUMENT. By Telegraph—Frees Association—Copyright LONDON, October 20. Twelve hundred boys of (he Naval Brigade paraded in Trafalgar square The Nelson column was elaborately decorated. The Wellington Navy _ League’s wreath —sent to England in an iceblock —attracted much attention. Pi-css Association. NAPIER, October 21. Trafalgar Day was observed to-day by the flying of flags from the public buildings.