THE PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 44

THE PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS.

(Continued from page 31.)

CELEBRATIONS AT THE EMPIRE

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING.

WELLINGTON, June 2.

Shortly before 10 o'clock this morning a red, white, and blue flag, with the one word "Peace" written across it, was seen* quickly rising to the flagstaff above the General Post Office. This was almost im.- 1 I mediately followed by the booming of the I guns, ond in a few minutes a dense crowd; ! had gathered. Bells rang, steam whistles i shrieked, and bunting began to flutter everywhere as if by magic. ths ' fact that the news cam© to hand 2* hours • before it was expected, the city almost im- \ mediately awoke to universal rejoicing. 1 Peace badges and ribbons were in great demand, and were worn by nearly everyone. Street musicians played patriotic air 3, and at intervals in the chiming of bells bombs I fired from the parapets of the Posfc Office burst with loud reports above the f crowd— a crowd that was evidently waiting i for someone to say something about the end of the two and a-half years' war. Tie Mayor was the first of the dignitaries to arrive, and his brief announcement about; peace was loudly cheered. He declared a public holiday, and the large crowd then, sang " God save the King." A few mmute3 later Sir Joseph Ward, with Lady Ward, I Miss Fraser (of Dunedin), and Master Ward, drove up in an open, carriage. The ActingI Premier, who is very popular in Wellington. 1 was received with rousing oheers. He stood! , up in his carriage and smilingly addressed! ' the crowd. He began: " The long-looked-for event in the history of the Empire has arrived. The Governor has received the following cablegram from Lord Kitchener:- ' Peace ' was signed laat night.' " Round after round of cheers greeted the nnnounceI ment, and ho went on to add that peace had ! been obtained by the efforts of Britishers I i.i every part of the world. — (Renewed cheers.) That of peace had been obtained! by the sacrifice of the men and women of i New Zealand— (still more cheers). — and they I might depend upon it that the termination of what would be regarded as one of the most memorable ware in the histories of all countries had only been obtained in an honourable way. — (Loud applause.) Sir -Joseph Ward went on to say that lie had hoped! that this happy declaration might have occurred during the time the Right Hon. Mr Seddon was in South Africa, and the disappointment in the hon. gentleman's tones evoked a etorm of good-humoured laughter, mingled with applause. One whole-souled: admirer of the absent Premier remarked, "Dick did it, anyhow." To console "Dick" and others for their disappointment the crowd sang " He's a jolly good fellow," and cheers were also given for the Governor. Sir Joseph then read a further cablegram, which hia Excellency had received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, etafmg that " the representatives of the Boer forces still left in the field have accepted the terms put forward by his Majesty's Government." Tremendous applause followed this announcement, and Sir Joseph then took up the thread of his former remarks. He way, he remarked. Just about to say that, alI though the distinguished man who was the head of tho Government of this country was not in South Africa, ho was there a short time ago — (yells of laughter), — and he felt j perfectly certain that there was no one in. t any pßrt of the British Empire who would be more pleased to hear of the consummation of peace than the head of the Government of New 'Zealand as soon as he arrived in England. — (Applause.) The war had been a prolonged one. but freedom under tho British flag would be enjoyed by the Transvaal in future, and there would be shown that considorntion of the claims of the conquered which had ever been the distinguishing characteristic of 'the British race wherever they had been the dominant Power;' and tho dominance of our Empire in South Africa would not only make it a greater and more powerful country than ib could -ever have been otherwise, but ifc would be a great centre of the colonisation of the British race. — (Applause.) He had already received telegrams from other parts of New Zetland stating that there was immense excitement and joy and pleasure on account of the termination of the struggle which had been ;i very difficult one. Sir Joseph Ward then asked the people to observe a holiday in celebration of the event, and expressed a hope that they would! all enjoy themselves. — (Applause.) He asked them to join with him in giving three cheers for the King. ' The t'sree cheers were given with great heartiness, atvl were followed by cheers for the Governor, Mr Seddon, Mr Chamberlain, Lord Roberts, trad Sir Joseph Ward, concluding with the s n^ing of " God save the King " and " Rm. , Britannia." Then the horses were taken <nifc of Sir Joseph Ward's carnage, and scores of willing hands started it off at the head rf a triumphal procession through the city. Joseph and those who were accompanj-ug him in the carriage were hauled up Willis street, along Manners street, and into Cuba street, where the Acting-Premier made another address when opposite the Royal Oak Hotel. The procession returned through the streets to the Post Office, where Sir Joseph briefly expressed his thanks for having been trundled along so neatly and enthusiastically. Tho National Anthem was once more given voice to, and as an appropriate finale the seamen's miesioner. Mr James Moore, gave out the fine old hymn " Praise God from Whom all ble3?ings flow," which was taken up lustily on all sides. Then the crowd dispersed once more into the streets. In his address outside the Royal Oak Hotel Sir Joseph Ward said that peace had come with honour. He prophesied that tho termination of the war would mean the commencement of a regime in which peace, b%BSSS»2»x #tOKfCfl*> »ud BlOSßfliitr would

t»e the characteristic features. As the crowd in front of the Post Office dispersed there ■was more cheering, and one of its units •was heard saying to a friend with characteristic British sang froid, "Well, now it's all over, let's go and have a lager beer, just to show there's no animosity."

The Central Drilhhed was crowded tonight, when a public thanksgiving service •was held. The Acting-Premier and the Minister of Publio Works were present. Prayers were offered and an address delivered by <£he Rev. Jaa. Paterson. Bishop Wallis pronounced a blessing- at the conclusion of the service.

Sir J. G. Ward lias received hundreds of telegrams from all parts of the colony expressing the delight of the senders at the conclusion of the war.