THE SIGNING OF PEACE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17658, 23 June 1919, Page 5

THE SIGNING OF PEACE.

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. ARRANGEMENTS PRACTICALLY COMPLETED. When the various messages were received on Saturday morning staling that the German National Assembly had accepted the Allies' peace terms fla«s were flown in all parts of the city, but otherwise the news was received quietly enough. When seen yesterday by a Daily Times reporter Cγ Douglas (deputy chairman of the Peace Celebrations Committee) stated that the committee was keeping in close touch with events connected with the signing of peace, and the whole of its arrange-* meu'ts was practically completed. It was recently suggested that the New Zealand celebrations' should be deferred until August so as to synchronise with those at Home, and a telegram was despatched to Sir James Allen on Friday asking if the Government had revised its plans in any way. A reply was received on Saturday stating that the original intention would be adhered . to, and this means that throughout New Zealand peace will be celebrated on the second Sunday. Monday, and Tuesday following the signing of the treaty. In order to avoid any possibility of confusion it will be as well to outline the procedure to bo adopted in Dunedin. As soon as official intimation is received that' peace has been signed the Central Battery will fire one gun and the Town Hall bell will be rung for two minutes. Half an hour later the Mayor (Mr W. Begg), accompanied by the Consuls of the Allied nations and the officer commanding the district, will attend at the Town" Hall steps, where a brief ceremony will take place. The programme for this function is as follows: —. , . A band will play the National Anthem. The Mayor will read the official pro- I clamation. _ The- assemblage, led by the band, will sing " Praise God, from 'Whom all Blessings Flow." The Primate will lead in prayer. The Mayor will intimate the official proceedings for the celebration of peace. The assemblage, led by the band, will sing the National Anthem. ,' It is the intention of the committee that the citizens shall then return to their ordinary business. During the evening bands will play in various parts of the city. Shop-owners and householders are requested to illuminate their premises by such means as raising the blinds and the us i, o£ electric lighting wherever possible. Ihe official programme will commence on the second Sunday following the signing of the treaty, and the" celebrations will be continued on the Monday and Tuesday Evening entertainments will also be held at.±he Kensington Drill Hall throughout the week The full official programme will be published in the course of the next few days. OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN NEW ZEALAND. A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. . (Pun United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, June 22 . The Hon. G. W. Russell states thai it is anticipated, m view of communications received from the Imperial Government that the Cabinet on Monday will finallv settle the date upon which the celebration •i^ aC V v . in be held in New Zealand, provided official intimation has been received of the signing of peace. ANOTHER .MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. . (Psa Uhitkd Pwms Assooiatioh.J CHRISTCHURCH, June 21. Sir James Allen stated to-night on the ■eve of leaving for Wellington that the original proposal to start the peace celebrations m New Zealand on the-second Sunday after the signing of the prelimina# treaty had not been definitely decided upon, and the whole matter of the peace celebrations in New Zealand and the date would be definitely decided at a meeting of Cabinet on Monday