SIMPLE SERVICE IN WELLINGTON

Southland Times, Issue 25668, 10 May 1945, Page 6

SIMPLE SERVICE IN WELLINGTON

Governor-General Speaks BIG GATHERING IN CAPITAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 9. New Zealand’s national V Day ceremony was brief and simple, lasting only half an hour. The large crowd which assembled around the War Memorial and on the lawns of Parliament grounds before the ceremony began listened to an appropriate programme by the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band until the Vice-Regal party arrived shortly before noon. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, and Lady Newall appeared with the acting Prime Minister, Mr Nash, and the acting Leader of the Opposition, Mr W. J. Polson on the balcony of Government Buildings, from where they addressed the gathering. Seated in an enclosure before the buildings were several hundred official guests, including representatives of the United Nations, the three services and the judiciary. After the speeches were delivered massed choirs sang “All People that on Earth do Dwell” and the British, American, Russian and New Zealand national anthems.

After a noisily busy afternoon yesterday, the city was deserted this morning until the young people resumed their celebrations, assisted by a number of bands parading the streets. There was a great gathering for the official ceremony at noon. In his speech the Governor-General said:— DEEDS OF NEW ZEALANDERS

“We are assembled on this momentous occasion to join together with every man, woman and child throughout New Zealand in thanksgiving to Almighty God for our survival. We rejoice as a people because the unconditional surrender of the Germans is now achieved and the war in Europe has ended. The deeds of the men and women of New Zealand during the war years, on the battlefields throughout the world, on the land, at sea and in the air, and of all those who have worked for the war in the Dominion have made history and won the unstinted admiration of all free peoples. “On this day of victory we remember and we honour those who have given their lives in battle, sympathizing deeply with the bereaved. We pay a high and grateful tribute to the valour of those who have defended us, our country and everything in civilization which we value and cherish. Let us rejoice and give thanks for relief from terrible anxiety endured so long with patient fortitude by many thousands. CONQUEST OF JAPANESE “This celebration of the final defeat of Germany, together with the indelible heroism and sacrifice of the men and women from New Zealand and the Empire and of our Allies, will inspire us to turn with renewed energy and determination to the next paramount task, which is to conquer the Japanese as we have the Germans. I have sent the following message to his Majesty the King from the people of New Zealand. On this historic day when, after . more than five years of bitter warfare, the enemy forces in Europe have surrendered unconditionally to the Allied arms, we in this ever loyal Dominion of New Zealand rejoice with your Majesty’s peoples throughout the world and thank God for the continued safety and well-being of your Majesty and the Queen and members of the Royal Family. Throughout the long and grim struggle we have ever been conscious of your Majesty’s example of service and fortitude, which has stood out as a. beacon of encouragement to us all in these distant parts of your Majesty’s realm. Once again we reaffirm our unswerving loyalty to your Majesty’s person and the throne and our determindtioin to continue the fight until final victory over the Japanese is achieved and the yoke of oppression is lifted from the whole world.