NATIONAL DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26589, 11 October 1947, Page 8

NATIONAL DAY

CHINESE GATHERING FORMATION OF REPUBLIC ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED Cars from Christchurch, Timaru and Oamaru, a special bus from Invercargill, and vehicles of all types from communities in and around Dunedin transported over 300 Chinese to Tahuna Park yesterday to celebrate the thirty-sixth anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Republic. There were not only Chinese at Tahuna, for a large number of other Dunedin people attended the celebrations to watch the Chinese commumty drop some of their traditional reserve and enjoy themselves wholeheartedly. In the cold east breeze that marred the day to some extent, scores of Chinese flags fluttered, and the gay colours of the children's dresses and their happy chatter in the national language gave the function an unusual atmosphere. Various games and races for the young people were held and refreshments were served. The chief attraction was an Association football match between a Wellington team and an Otago team. The northern players flew down for the match arid arrived at the park just in time to take the field.

The match was followed with keen interest by a large crowd of spectators. The North Island side had an advantage in weight and experience but the Otago XI played with great vigour and determination. The half-time score was 2-all and in the second half Otago, playing against the wind, was not expected to keep up the pace. Play was very even, however, and good defence by both sides prevented any further goals being scored, the game ending in a draw. The Otago goals were scored by Ling Wong and Hong Chin. It was not merely a day of entertainment for the Chinese, but an occasion for serious thought on the plight of China and the world as a whole. Mr Chee Young, chairman of the committee responsible for the annual gathering, expressed the feelings of the Chinese community in a brief address. “We meet here to-day because we have not forgotten that 36 years ago our forefathers sacrificed their lives in attempting to build for China and for the world a road to peace and goodwill,” Mr Young said. “ Yet today we see China in a condition of strife and civil war. We see the country under economic and cultural strain, and the people crying for peace. Everywhere there is poverty and distress To some it may seem that our forefathers have failed and that China is lost. . . „ , “ Let us not be pessimistic, he said. “Let us not take this fatalistic attitude, but rather let us pull together and use our full strength to solve the problems before us now. All of us know of the potential and yet . untrained man-power which is waiting and ready to surge forward to develop China’s untold resources. Often we may wonder how we can help. We can do so by realising that every member of the. community must strive for the preservation of all we believe to be worth while in our cultural and social order.”

The Example of Britain

To this end, Mr Young said, it was hoped that all parents would give the younger generations a wider and fuller education. He, appealed to those coming in contact with other nationals to remember that distrust of other people, prejudice arising from lack of knowledge and understanding, and rash and erroneous judgment arising from intolerance were among the greatest enemies of China. He asked his people not to lose faith in China, but to remember the endurance, co-operation and optimism of the British Commonwealth in overcoming its difficulties, particularly the spirit of Britain in struggling to weather the economic storm. He asked the Chinese community to remember the slogan, “ Food for China.” Mr Young also thanked all those ministers, doctors, and teachers who were helping the Chinese pe.ople throughout the world.