SPEECHES FROM THE TOWN BALL STEPS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 29

SPEECHES FROM THE TOWN BALL STEPS.

SCENES OF UNEXAMPLED EN- ; THUSIASM. The rapidly-swelling crowd was beginning io express its impatience at the delay, when ■hortly after 10.30 the Mayor mounted the Town. Hall steps amid cheers. •His "Worship the Mayor said: — Citizens of Dunedin, — I wish to read the following official telegram which I have received: "His "Worship the Mayor of Dunedin. South. African war. It is with intense pleasure that I advise-you that I have just received definite information that peace has been declared. — J. G. Wahd, Acting-Premier, Wellington." — (Loud cheers.) I have also received a message from the Evening Star to the following 1 effect : "The Governor, who is at Auckland at the present time, has received an official telegram direct from Lord Kitchener that peace has been declared." — (Renewed cheers.) Under those circumstances I shall also declare something — a whole holiday. — (Cheers.) As you are aware, I intimated through the press that I would give half . an hour after the bell rang in order to allow time for the bandsmen and the speakers to collect. I call on you now to |Bing-"PraiEe God from Whom all blessings flow." The' crowd. then sang the familiar "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow," which ever- seems the- most fitting plan of- thanksgiving on great occasions. The Mayor, then called for a verse of the National Anthem, and after this was sung -with unexampled fervour the concourse of people gave vent to their feelings in another outburst of cheering. His Worship then said : — Citizens of Dunedin, — The long-expected day of peace has come at last. This horrible and terrible war has closed. Our hearts overflow with joy. The anxiety of thousands of parents and relations is now relieved. Another great towards Great Britain's one and only aim — that of Christian civilisation, the suppression of tyranny, and the peaceful brotherhood of the people^ — has been accomplished. Our intense patriotism still remains, but will now be allowed to fall asleep, as before the war. Necessity may compel an awakening, and that will be when our King, our country, and our Constitution are again attacked, Vnd our freedom as British subjects endangered. We may now say : No longer hosts encountering hosts Shall crowds of slain deplore; They hang the trunpet in the hall And study war ao more. Ladies and gentlemen, I am not one to make long speeches, and that is ail I have to say. If you will be patient for a few minutes the speakers will be here. The Rev. P. W. Fairclough, who was greeted with cheers, said: Fellow-citizens,— After a long peace we cannot but feel, being human beings, strangely stirred by a declaration of war, but after we have been at war for a long time, and felt the strain of it, -what a world of emotion there is in an hour "like this when we are told it is over, and that peace has come. We are something like a man who has toiled long end fought against adversity, who finds at ]a»t that he has conquered fate, and that fortune has turned in his favour; instead of shouting he feels that he would rather go into a quiet corner and vent his feelings in sobs, and I feel something like that after the long strain and anxiety of this war — 4hat I would rather mingle a few tears with those who have suffered moat than jubilate and shout on this occasion. It has been the duty of our nation and the duty of our public men to keep this war in countenance and to see it through. It has been a very painful duty. They had to suppress much heartache and much sympathy lest these should conquer reason, and greater •woes should follow. I claim that those who have supported the war have not been less ibumane or less merciful in their disposition than those who for present peace would have risked all the future.— (Cheers.) We Slave lived all our days under the shadow of that benign and glorious banner that is floating over us now — (cheers*, — and it has done us good and not evil all the days of our life. The well-being of 400 millions of souls depends upon its prestige and upon the continuance of its power. In it seems to lie tho promise and the potency of peace and regeneration for half the nations of the earth, and a bright example — an alluring example — for the other half. When that iiag begins to retreat or when the hands that hold it quake with fear, then its mana ■will depart and the eagles will begin to troop upon their quarry.— (A Voice: "They ■will never get the show.") I hope they 3. ever will.— (Cheers.) I thank God that in tliis struggle the flag has been kept grandly iiying. It is an awful thing — a thing that fome people will not accept or believe, but :ai awful fact — that there is not a rood of iancl in this world the ultimate title deed of v.hich is not the sword. We could wish iperhaps that it was otherwise; but so it is, and we> must not suppose that we have come to a mild and gentle age now in which the jgcod things of the world can be held upon seme other title. Such, an age. has not yet come. If we think of what has happened an our own time-^if I mention what has happened well within my -own memory — I see (that there was Denmark that could not fight Jbest, and she had to yield her duchies ; jthere was Austria that could not fight best, jand she had to yield her pride of place ; '/there was France that could not fight best, and she had to yield her provinces and pay !the conqueror; there was Spain that could mot fight, and her opponent stripped her to the bone; there was Greece that could not 'fight, and she had to suffer the horrors of invasion and have her frontier weakened; ■Jand there was China that could not fight, «nd the humiliations and dangers that fall zipon that great empire seem to have no '•end. On the other hand, we have seen that could fight, and she rose up, like T.he sick man, from her bed, forgot her crutches, and went strutting arm-in-arm with fthe Kaiser. Then we see that Japan could fight, and she has now entered into an "alliance with us; and we see that America jcould fight, and all the nations are Bcramfbling for her friendship. These are very mrim and ugly facts. They teach us that fcuose who would security possess must be sable to strike. They warn us that as we fare the richest of nations we must keep the tefrong in awe, and not dream that the kanliennium has come. I admit that these Krim facts revolt th« benevolent heart. But The benevolent heart can only beat to purpose behind tho strong arm. And do these tacts encourage us to be timid in counsel '-.- to be -weak in action? I say, No. To --s the war through was our duty, and, ink God, it is done. We have come out t..' t'lis great and unique war victorious — j^jnvied, no doubt, but stronger, and there-

from us "nhf grano charter He gave to our fathers. We receive it back from Him today with reverent hands to have and to hold aa long as he gives us power. Meantime, we will not gloat over the fallen foe. We will not insult then name. We feel that they have won undying fame, that they have done enough for glory, and we honour them for their resource and for their persistence and for their valour. If they had exercised these against any other people than the British they must have been victorious. — (Cheer 3.) And now we will avenge ourselves upon them by giving them a liberty that * they never dreamed of — (c-heers) ; — by giving them a civilisation that they never dreamed of — (cheers) ; — and by lifting them from being the smallest of people to a partnership in the greatest. — (Cheers.)

The band played " God save the King," and the people, recognising the well-known strains, at once joined in and sang a verse with lusty goodwill. This was followed by echoing cheer 3 for the King.

Mr James Allen, M H.R., who was received with cheers, said: Mr Mayor and Fellow-countrymen, — lhis is a great day — (cheers) — a day to live for, a day to remember all one's life. I ask all of you' who are young to recollect this day year by year to your .dying day. On this day we celebrate the honour and the glory and the justification of right. — (Cheers.) Our men have fought, our men have fallen ; we have won the day, and it 'has been won "with honour. — (Cheer 3.) Peace is ours to-day. Justice and right have prospered, and I say that this is a day to have lived for: a day to be proud of. There is one thought that comes to me — that our thanks ought to go up as a people and as a nation to the great God of Battles, who has seen us safely through. — (Cheers.) It has been a great undertaking: a great co3t iv men and money. That is as nothing to the glory that has become ours. It is not a day for speech : the emotions are too strong for speech, and everyone wants to go away and celebrate this the greatest day of our lives. — (Renewed cheer 3.)

Mr G. L. Denniston, ex-Mayor, was received with enthusiastic cheers. He said : Fellow-citizens, — I am, like yourselves, a simple citizen to-day, and I rejoice with you. As all the previous speakers have said, this is a day that, although we have long looked forward to, is welcome when it comes. To-day has come the conclusion of a great war — a war that has cost our country an immense amount of treasure and an immense amount of blood ; but I am sure you will agree with me that this war has been for the best, for, great as has been the cost of it, it has proved that Britain, after all, will lead the world. — (Cheers.) It has served, too, to show the world how Britain and her colonies work together, and fight together, and are one together. That alone has been worth the terrible cost of the war. We have been looking forward to this consummation for some days, but I am sure it is none the less welcome when it comes, and to-day we all rejoice and join in rejoicing with every English-speaking country throughout the world. Fellow-citizens, I congratulate you all for the happy conclusion and for this great day. — (Cheers.) Mr R. Chisholm, who was received with deafening cheere, which were renewed several times, had to wait a minute or two before he could get a hearing. When something like order had been restored he said : Ladies and Gentlemen, — We have had a very great many fine days in Dunedin — (cheers) — days of jubilation that we look back to with pride and pleasure, — but this, ladies and gentlemen, is the day of days. — (Cheers.) This is the day that we have been looking forward to for two years. — (Cheers.) Two years ago in Dunedin we set up a committee — a Peace Celebration Committee. We were batisfied and certain that peace would come, and come it has. — (Cheers.) And, ladies and gentlemen, who are we to thank for peace? Thank God first ; then, ladies and gentlemen, thank the British soldiers — (cheers), — and do not forget that New Zealand has been a most important factor in bringing peace about. — (Cheers.) Who was it that cornered De Wet? — (A Voice: "New Zealanders," and cheers.) It was our noble Seventh Contingent. — (Cheers.) They stuck to their guns just aa the New Zealanders can. — (Cheers.) There was no shrinking, no compromise. It was do or die, and it has been do or die with Britons and New Zealanders ever since. — (Cheers.) Now we have got peace, and I am delighted to see such a crowd here to-day. I hope you will have a jolly day. — (Cheers.)

On the call of the Mayor, three ringing cheers were riven for Lord Roberts, three more of equal volume for Lord Kitchener, and one for the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier. The band played "See the conquering hero comes " and " Rule Bjptannia," the people joining; in the popular words of the latter air and raising a splendid volume of sound. Cheer upon cheer followed.

Mr J. A. Millar, who was heartily cheei-ed, said : To-day is a great day in the history of our colony : a day we ought to feel proud of, for we take a large share of the credit to ourselves that we have brought it about. Our men have for the first time in the history of our colony stood shoulder to shoulder with the British army, and their services have been recognised as of the greatest value. — (Cheers.) To-day is an epoch in the history of the Empire. We have acquired a great territory, and the British will, as they have always done, 6how justice to those whom they have conquered. — (Cheers.) I have no doubt we will find that South Africa. is to be governed as this grand little colony of ours is to-day, and wherever the British flag flies there has always been freedom and justice for all. — (Cheere.) I thank you for turning out as you have done. I hope it will be as long before Britain enters into another war as it was before she entered into this one. — (Loud cheers.)

His Honor Mr Justice Williams was then introduced by the Mayor, and was given i grand reception. He eaid: Fellow citizens, at last the welcome news has come. The weary days that we have passed have at last come to an end, and the fruits of the labours of our gallant men are about to be reaped. — (Cheers.) Let us be thankful for all this. Let us remember thai, however evil wai is, this war has had great and good results. It has shown us what New Zealand and the people of New Zealand can do. Sir, many of our brave men have gone to South Africa never to return. Let us hope that the blood they have offered up on the 6hrine of their country will not be unfruitful. The war has been one that has been conducted with humanity that is unexampled in the annals of warfare. Think of this: Before tho war in the Orange Free State there were rather over 8000 children at school, and while the war was in full progress we, who according to our Continental friends are euoh cruel monsters, educated over 13,000 obildiea Qi «uut Anamiejjr-jLojid. &ss&)

Let us remember this: thai while our own brave men have done and suffered nobly, our enemies also have fought a splendid fight. — (Cheers.) For my part, I would be delighted, now that the war is over, to shake hands with De Wet and many another brave Dutchman, and welcome them as brothers of the brotherhood of the great Empire to which we belong. — (Cheers.) B\it though the war is at an end, our work is not yet done. To use the words of a great poet addressed to a great Englishman — I refer to Milton's sonnet to Cromwell — Much remains to conquer still: Feace hath her victories not less«renowned than war. It is for us to achieve the victories of peace. That task is a very difficult and delicate one in South Africa. Animosities will have to be quenched ; the two races will have to be brought to live together in harmony and goodwill. Fortunately we have on the spot men like Lord Milner and Lord Kitchener, who, if any men are capable of such a task, are capable of it. Let us hope that their efforts will be successful. Let us pray that peace and happiness, truth and justice, piety and religion will be established in South Africa for all generations.— (Prolonged cheer 3.)

The band then played " Soldiers of the Queen." Colonel Robin, C.8., who commanded tho first contingent that went from New Zealand, was at once recognised, and was welcomed with lusty cheers. He said : Ladies and gentlemen, — It may usually be supposed that the army people would wish war to go on for ever, but that is not so. I do not think there will be anyone more sincerely grateful that peace is declared than the

British army and the colonial forces. — (Cheers.) We belong to a nation whose force 6do not go to war for the sake of war. Ladies and gentlemen — this is not a day for much speaking. It is a day for rejoicing, and on behalf of the army forces I add my word that there will be no more gratefid hearts in the Empire to-day than those of the army and the colonials now on service. — (Cheers.) His Worship the Mayor announced that Bishop Nevill would be the last speaker — an announcement that did not at all please the crowd. They wanted more speeches to allow them to give vent to their feelinge in cheering remarks that expressed the joy they felt at the welcome news. However, the programme had been mapped out, and there was no departing from it. Biehop Nevill, on mounting the balustrade, was received with hearty cheers. He eaid : Fellow citizens, I have been asked by his Worship the Mayor to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving to Him from whom the victory proceeds. You have listened to the eloquent words that have fallen from the previous speakers, and I am quite sure that every one of you in your hearts all gladly re-echo the noble sentiments addressed to you by his Honor Mr Justice Williams, and in particular those last sentences of his. T bid you now, dear friends and fellow citizens, to solemnise your hearts for a few momenta whilo I endeavour to express your thoughts and mine in the thanks and gratitude which we owe to th« Author and Disposer of all events. His Lordship then prayed an follows: — 0 Lord, Thou art our God for ever and ever. Thou hast mightily delivered Thy people who called upon Thee. We give Thee humble thanks that Thou hast heard our prayer. Mar\eHous are Thy works. Lord God Almighty : just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints. It is not for our worthiness that Thou hast given us the victory, uot for our righteousness that Thou hast placed another empire in our hands. Yet we thought we heard Thy voice bidding us go up and possess this land, that w<> -might govern it for Thee. As when Thou leddest Thy people through the Ked Sea to a land which Thou hadst given them because the trial time of its people was fulfilled, co hast Thou gone forth with our hosts, brought to naught the counsels of the evil-doers, and overthrown their schemes. We render thanks to Thee, most Merciful, that Thou hast strengthened Thy servants, giving them courage amid all the vicissitudes of war, patience amid all the provocations they received, and grace to subdue fierce passions by the virtue of a Christian faith. We thank Thee that at length we may exchange war for peace, at length we may beat our swords into ploughshares and cur spears into pruning-hooks. md study to turn foes into brothers and hatred into friendship. And in the midst of our rejoicing we recognise the immeasurable issues of the peace which is proclaimed to-day. It is not only that our brave sons may no\v return to the homes from which their nation called them forth, not only that the mighty empires by which this struggle has been watched have witnessed the welding together of a world-wide race, and thus by war the peace of empires is secured. But. O Thou whose Kingdom shall one day fill

the. earth, we see in all that Thou hast dr.ne the mis&ion of Thy Church. Because Thou hast taught us to live according to Thy laws, therefore, for all over whom Thou ha«t bidden us rule, justice and mercy shall meet together, righteousness and peace

shall kiss each other. And because Thy Word shall have free course, and bo plorified

to Boer and to Hottentot, ttf Zulu and Mahomedan. to dwellers in mountains or by

tho wide seashore, the word spoken to-day

is the- word of peace. O Thou who only haht dominion, guide us in our hour of exulta tion, and accept the thank? we offer and the praise we brinsr, because we pour out our hearts before Thee in the name of Him who is our Peace, even Jesiis Christ, Thy

Son. our Lord. .Amen

His Worship dispersed the crowd with these words: I wish you all now to disperse In your usual good order and turn up at the Triangle at 2 o'clock, when we will have a little jollification and festivity in the way

of a procession

(Prolonged cheern from tho

crowd, while those on the steps, at the door of the Town Hall, raised hearty cheers for his Worship the Mayor.) IN THE TOWN HALL.

At the invitation of his Worship he Mayor a number of gentlemen sub.-equently met in the Mayor's room in the Town Hall, and, on the call of his Worship, honoured the toast of "Hie Majesty the King." Pleasure was expressed on all hand* at Lhe joyous tidings that had come to hand. Cr Carroll proposed the health of " His Worship the Mayor," which was drunk with musical honours, and the Mayoi, in replying, spoke of the able assistance he had received from the councillors in making preparations for the day's proceedings. — (Applause.) THE B BATTERY SALUTE.

The B Battery assembled at the Garrison Hall at 11 o'clock under the command of Major Chalmer, while there were also present Lieutenant Haydon, one sergeant-major,

one quartermaster-sergeant, 4- sergeants, and i£2 Hki* jyjd file, ia aMtioß to § Riu&ber in

plain clothes, who could not don the uniform owing to the very limited tirm at their disposal. The corps proceeded to the Reclaimed ground, where 32 guns were fired in celebration of the happy event of peace. Major Chalmer then called for thre\ cheers for King Edward VII, which were heartily given. When the men returned to the Garrison Hall they were met by Brevet-colonel Robin, who spoke in high terms of the quickness with which the men had paraded, especially as the notification of peace had not been expected till the next day. THE HILLSIDE WORKSHOPS' DISPLAY. The display made on Monday by the employees of the Hillside Workshops was creditable in every way tc the men. Their patriotio enthusiasm had prompted them to organise a combined programme for Peace Day when it came, and consequently yesterday their display was one of the features of the celebrations. During the past few days the workers have been engaged, in their own | time, preparing the banners and devices I which were so conspicuous yesterday. The materials were purchased by a- fund subscribed to by the men for the purpose, and the painting and illumination of the banners was all the work of the men. Needless to state that amongst the men the glad news of the laying down of-arms was not received in silence. The big bell pealed out and anvils rang again, while other men struck boilers | and tanks with hammers, and shouted and cheered lustily. A few minutes later the"' small army of employees — painters, riveters, strikers, blacksmiths, boilermen, machinemen, foremen, and overseers, — were mustered in a body, and Mr R. Farrant (head marshal) addressed (he assembly. He knew with what glad hearts they would receive the glad tidings of peace, that joyous news which had come at last and was so welcome. He expressed the deep patriotio feeling which had actuated the men throughout the war, and 6poke of how they had watched the progress of " our boys " in South Africa. At the conclusion of the address the men joined together in singing a verse of " God save tha King," which was followed by cheers for the King, Mr Chamberlain, Mr Seddon, ' and the Workshops Committee. The proces- j sion th«»n tet out on its march through the : city, each member wearing a red, white, j and blue sash with the inscription, " Peace with Honour." One remarkable device was | a figure of the British lion couchant upon a framework, which was supported by four men; and another happy illustration was a model of a train and telegraph wires, as representing Mr Cecil Rhodes's great dream —the Cape to Cairo railway. This latter was designed by Mr C. W. Haiues. The procession was loudly cheered as it wended its way up Princes street south, where ib was joined by the North-East Valley Band, and crowds accompanied the men as they marched up through Princes street and George street to Frederick street, thence to King street and along to Hanover street, and then back to the Octagon, where they assembled in front of the Town Hall, where the Mayor delivered a short address. He said it was with the greatest delight that he saw them arranged before him. The wonderful promptnesd with which they had turned out that morning on hearing the news deserved the greatest of praise. He found, and he knew it, that than the men of tho Railway Workshops at Hillside there were no more loyal and patriotic in New Zealand. For the past two years they had always been to the fore. He would request them to turn out that afternoon and take part in the procession, and thus give the public a better opportunity of witnessing their display. All their banners and regalia could be put away in the Town Hall in the meantime, and would be accessible to them whenever they were wanted. Many of the younger ones present, he was sure, would far rather have gone to the front than have stayed in Dunedin, but the opportunity was not theirs. Two years had now elapsed since they first expected peace, and the Workshops had made ready to celebrate it. They had waited long, but their enthusiasm was none the less. — (Cheers.) Seeing the splendid turn-out they had made, he would like to make a donation of £5 towards their funds. — (Loud cheers.) Mr Faruant (chief marshal), in responding, said he was sure that all that they wanted was that the public should see them, j and he would take a show of hands to see if they would agree to turn out at 2 o'clock. The motion was agree:l to unanimously. — (Cheers.) They would thus have time to go home and get their faces washed. He thanked the hands for having turned out, thus showing that they were in sympathy with their movement, also the Mayor for his speech that morning. They expected another in the afternoon. — (Cheers.) ' Mr J. I* Arnold said he would give them an address in the afternoon. — (Cries of " Barclay. Barclay.") Mr Arnold : "I am not my brothel's keeper." The banners, etc., were then taken into the hall, and the crowd and employees dispersed. Mr Farrant, as rhief marshal, was apsisted by Messrs Scarle, Garsido, Timlin, and C. M'Konzio. Mr Loyland was chairman of committee.