SERVICE IN OCTAGON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25924, 16 August 1945, Page 6

SERVICE IN OCTAGON

CITIZENS OFFER THANKS 15,000 PEOPLE PRESENT More than 15,000 people assembled in the Octagon and the adjoining streets at 2.30 yesterday afternoon to take part in the civic thanksgiving service. This, the only public function yesterday, was one of the most impressive ceremonies of its kind ever held in Dunedin. Three hundred bandsmen, representative of 11 bands, took part ip the service and a combined choir consisting of 1500 voices led the singing. The combined choirs and the bands were under the direction of Mr James Dixon. Accompanying the Mayor (Mr D. C. Cameron) in the official party on the Town Hall platform were the town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston), city councillors, the president of the Dunedin Returned Services’ Association (Mr H. P Jefcoate) and the immediate past president (Mr D. Forsyth), the president of the Otago Home Servicemen’s Association (Mr S. B. Butler), the representatives of the three services in Dunedin —Lieutenant-commander J. H. Seelye, Colonel S. M. Satterthwaite, and Squadron Leader Harvey—Mrs R. C. T. Evans and Miss Evans (representing the Maori people), Mr Roy Law and Mr Ching Bing (representing the Chinese Association of Otago and Southland), and the heads of the various city churches. A feature of the ceremony was a parade of some 700 returned servicemen of this war and the last war, who were lined up inside the enclosure. Thanksgiving and Rejoicing

Welcoming the citizens gathered before him, the Mayor expressed the great joy of all that the day so longed for and prayed for had arrived. For six years war had dominated their thoughts and their lives, and it was a great relief to know that it was at an end. “So be happy and joyful today and make others happy,” the Mayor declared. At the same time, he added, their thoughts must turn to the returned men and women, to all wounded and sick soldiers, to those in hospitals and homes, and to all the sorrowful and bereaved. “And so, in a true spirit of thanksgiving and rejoicing,” he concluded, “ let us celebrate during these two days in as happy and free a way as possible.” Thanksgiving prayers were offered by the Rev. F. de Lisle and a short address was given by Mr Jefcoate, in which he said that, amid the joys of that day, they must remember with pride, as well as sorrow, those gallant lads who had made the supreme sacrifice. To their dependents and relatives they extended their heartfelt sympathy. It was only by the deeds of those men that the day had been made possible. After the two days of rejoicing they must think seriously of the peace and its onerous implications. “We have won this right to peace through the sacrifices of our young manhood,” said Mr Jefcoate. “ Let us not betray the ideals for which they fought and died.” “ You will agree with me that China has more reason for rejoicing than any of her Allies," said Mr Law, speaking on behalf of the Chinese people. “ She has been fighting against Axis aggression for the longest period—over eight years. Some 30,000,000 of her people have been driven from their homes by the invader, and the home has always been the inner shrine of China’s life. Many millions of civilians have died from starvation, and from cruel treat-

ment by Japanese soldiers.” For these and many other reasons China had cause to be grateful to God for final and decisive victory. China was glad to have an equal place among the Allied democracies, and was specially proud of her partnership with Britain, America, and Russia in the costly struggle for world freedom and peace, Mr Law continued. They trusted and believed that this comradeship in arms would continue in their united efforts to build a new world on the basis of human brotherhood. “We Chinese have been deeply touched by the practical sympathy shown us by the Government and people of this Dominion,” he said. “ Many of our refugee women and children have had their homes here, and we can never forget the generous way in which New Zealand has shared her peace and plenty with us.” Spirit of Thankfulness “ The great hour for which we have prayed, hoped, and worked for so long, and for which so many free people have laid down their lives, is at last with us,” said Mr Forsyth, who gave the principal address of the day. First and foremost they felt an unbounded joy that slaughter and torture were no more, that destruction had at last ceased, and that the sacrifices made were not in vain. They must feel a great thankfulness that through God s help they had gained the victory; that in their hour of need He gave them, too, the leaders they needed —the late President Roosevelt, Generalissimo Stalin, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, and, above all. their own Winston Spencer Churchill, whose voice was their hope in their darkest hour, whose courage, determination, and inspired leadership had interpreted for them the very spirit of Empire and guided them towards victory. They felt thankful to the King and Queen, whose deeds might be summed up in one sentence: “They stayed in London.” , .“Then, too, we must at this moment feel pride, gratitude, and admiration for the deeds of the servicemen and women of all arms, and of all the Allied nations, and for the calm brave patience of the women who waitpd at home, aaid Mr Forsyth. Particularly would they mention China, that cultured and peace-loving nation which had suffered longest of all and was now free. Hope for the Future Mr Forsyth asked the gathering to remember those who would not return and those who had lost loved ones, but above all he felt they were gpverned to-day by a sub-conscious feeling of hope—of hope for the future. “ The first half of our task is completed, so let us rejoice,” said Mr Forsyth, ‘ but let us each and everyone, here and now in our first flush of victory, before we give ourselves over to rejoicing, remember our solemn duty to those who have given their lives and silently rededicate ourselves to the task still ahead of us.” It was a task, he added, they must face shoulder to shoulder, without difference of class or creed. The Beast had been slain, and the road to human happiness lay before them if they would tread it bravely. The anthem “ God Defend New Zealand” was sung by the gathering at the beginning of the service, and the National Anthem and the Chinese Na-. tional Anthem and “ The Star-Spangled Banner” at the conclusion, while the hymns “All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” “Onward. Christian Soldiers,” and “Eternal Father. Strong to Save,” were sung during the service. The choir sang “Abide With Me,” the combined bands providing the accompaniment. The massed bands played “On the Quarter Deck ” and “ The Red White and Blue,” and the combined pipe bands also gave a selection. The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. J. Ewen Simpson.