CEREMONY AT TOWN HALL

Southland Times, Issue 25668, 10 May 1945, Page 4

CEREMONY AT TOWN HALL

City’s Official Part In V Day BIG CROWD ADDRESSED BY MAYOR Invercargill’s official part in V Day was celebrated in front of the Town Hall early yesterday afternoon. Ine ceremony was short and simple, but impressive. The Mayor (Mr Abraham Wachner) addressed the citizens, a prayer was said, a hymn was sung and after cheers and the singing of the National Anthem the crowd dispersed. Three bands, the Civic Band, the Battalion Band and the Salvation Army Band, took part in the ceremony. They marched to the Town Hall and lined up in Tay street in front of the dais erected at the Town Hall steps. In massed playing the bands were conducted by Mr A. R. Wills, conductor of the Civic Band. The size of the crowd was estimated at about 3000. That part of Tay street in front of the Town Hall was densely packed with people representative of all generations and all walks of life. Many returned men were to be seen; there were veterans of other wars, and the Army, Navy and Air Force of-the present war were largely represented. Seating accommodation was provided for elderly people; and on verandahs and in window frames opposite the Town Hall scores of young people found positions of vantage. At half-past two o’clock the Mayor, clad in his robes and chain of office, stepped on to the dais and delivered his address. In support were the Town Clerk (Mr W. F. Sturman) and City Councillors, the Mayoress, Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., representatives of the Council of Churches, the R.S.A. and patriotic organizations. The proceedings were broadcast through loud speakers and by Station 4YZ.

“THANKFULNESS TO GOD”

“Today we meet in a spirit of thankfulness to God who has brought us to victory,” said the Mayor. “At last we come to this great moment —the surrender of the enemy in Europe. It has been a long, hard road, but none of us ever doubted the outcome. The Allied Nations are now ready to deliver their full concentrated weight into the Pacific war, and providing we all continue to play our part, the end should not be long delayed. “The glorious news of the cessation of hostilities in Europe means release from bondage of the millions of people comprising the populations of the liberated countries. Although the war is not yet won, it would be foolish to endeavour to restrain the.people’s feelings of thankfulness and relief. “We rejoice at the end of the frightful ordeal suffered by the people of our Homeland, particularly those in London, where for all these years they have suffered night and day the horrors of bombing and tire impact of terror weapons. “How can we express our gratitude to our fighting men and to those of our staunch and faithful allies? Nothing that we can do can adequately recognize the service of those men who have been through so, many arduous campaigns, but we can at least try to do our duty to their dependents and to the men in assisting in their rehabilitation to normal peacetime life.

REBUILDING THE WORLD

“The Allied Powers are confronted with tlie prodigious task of feeding and restoring to health the millions of victims of this conflict, and on the material side we have the rebuilding of a shattered world. Above all we must learn from past mistakes, and this time make sure that the causes of war are removed and that the peace of the world is maintained.

“Our statesmen have indeed a job to do and they will do it—just as the boys who took up arms in our defence have done, and are still doing their part. “In this hour of thanksgiving and rejoicing it is fitting that we remember those members of our community who have not joined with us in public demonstration. In the quiet of their homes they pay silent homage to lost loved ones; we would like them to know that we, too, remember, and in our hearts the memory of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice shall ever be revered.

“The names of our great leader, Winston Churchill, and of those two incomparable soldiers, Montgomery and Alexander, will live forever in history, and with them will live the deeds of our own fighting men, soldiers, sailors and airmen. “We salute them, every one, not only our victorious New Zealanders who are still at battle stations, but also all those who have returned to us and did so much to prepare the way to victory—and in particular, those who are sick and wounded. May they soon be restored to health. There are our thousands of prisoners of war, too, who will soon be returning home.” WORDS OF LEADER

The Mayor concluded by repeating the words of Mr Winston Churchill: “Our gratitude to all our splendid Allies goes forth from our hearts. We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing, but let us not forget the trials and perils that lie ahead. Japan is still unsubdued, and we must now devote all our energies and resources to the completion of the task both at home and abroad.” Three cheers were given for our gallant leaders and our men wherever they be,” and the Rev. L. Kernohan offered up a prayer. The singing of the hymn, ‘O God Our Help in Ages Past” and the National Anthem ended the ceremony, which lasted 15 minutes.