THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17659, 24 June 1919, Page 4

THE PEACE CELEBRATIONS.

While w© are awaiting the information that Germany lias signed, or has officially declared her readiness to sign, the peace treaty, an interesting announcement is made by the Acting Prime Minister with respect to the peace celebrations of the dominion. Influenced by advice which it has received 011 the subject from the Imperial authorities, the Government has now decided that it is desirable to harmonise the arrangements for the observance of the execution of the peace treaty, so far as they apply to the date at which the celebrations shall take place, with those that have been decided upon at Home. Sir James Allen observes that the date cannot be specially mentioned, but local authorities may rest assured that after peace is signed ample time will be given them to make the necessary preparations. It is generally understood, however, that the British celebrations have been fixed to synchronise with the anniversary of the declaration of war, which will come round nearly six weeks hence. The object of the plan which is now to be adopted is plainly to secure that the celebrations throughout the Empire shall be held simultaneously, and there is, of course, a great xleal to be said in favour of this. We fear, however, that, whenever the celebrations are held they will fall somewhat flat, mainly be-

causo they will lack tho essential quality of spontaneity. Tho interval since the signing of tho armistice has already been so considerable, and tho signing of the peace treaty itself has been subject to so many postponements, that—to put it quite plainly—tho fooling has become somewhat widespread that tho expenditure of a fair amount of money, upon the celebrations will bo a mistake. Yet the attainment of peace tho gieatest war in tho history of the world is an ovont of tho greatest importance, tho significance of which should certainly be impressed, as far as possible, | upon tho minds of at least the younger members of the community.