UNITED NATIONS DAY

Southland Times, Issue 24764, 8 June 1942, Page 5

UNITED NATIONS DAY

MILITARY PARADES IN NEW ZEALAND

WELLINGTON, June 6.

Arrangements for military parades on the largest and most comprehensive scale as a part of the ceremonies marking United Nations Day were announced by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) today. Mr Fraser said these would be held on Saturday, June 13, when people would have an opportunity in the larger centres to watch the units of all services in parades on the largest scale so far organized in this country. They would include the latest types of machines and weapons brought to the Dominion for strengthening our defences.

“Flag day, which will be held in the United States on June 14, is the day on which the American people honour their flag as the emblem of their freedom, strength and unity and this year,” said Mr Fraser, “the American people have been invited by President Roosevelt to honour also the flags of those States who signed the United Nations Declaration of January 1, 1942. The United Kingdom Government has announced that it is also desirous of arranging a similar tribute to the flags of all those valiant peoples who are fighting with them in the cause of freedom and suitable arrangements are being made for ceremonies for this purpose to be held on June 14 throughout the United Kingdom and in other portions of the British Commonwealth in honouring United Nations Day. In New Zealand it has been decided that the date shall be June 13.” Mr Fraser quoted the text of Mr Roosevelt’s proclamation to the people of the United States to observe Flag Day this year in the course of which Mr Roosevelt stated: “We are fighting to free the people of this earth from the most powerful, most ruthless and most savage enemy this earth has ever seen. We are dedicating all we have and all we are to the combat. We will not stop this side of victory. It is fitting that on our traditional flag day we honour not only our own colours, but also the flags of those who have with us signed the declaration of the United Nations. It is also fitting that we express our devotion to our courageous mothers, many of whom are sending out their sons to do battle with the enemy and all of whom are so loyally contributing to waging the war on the home front. I, therefore, ask that on Flag Day people of our nation honour the peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics,- China, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Luxembourgh, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, the Union of South Africa and Yugoslavia.” “Since the President’s proclamation was issued Mexico must be added to the list of the United Nations,” said Mr Fraser. “I feel sure the people of New Zealand will enthusiastically welcome this opportunity of paying tribute to all our gallant allies in this great struggle for world freedom.”