At Wellington

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12579, 28 September 1908, Page 5

At Wellington

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, September 27. The first anniversary of Dominion Day was celebrated in Wellington yesterday with considerable enthusiasm. The weather conditions were extremely favourable, and everything passed off with great success. In the morning there was a demonstration on the Basin Reserve, there being presented to the great crowd of spectators a living New Zealand ensign composed of over 5000 coloured flags carried by children. Three battalions of public school cadets formed a national giiard. Dominion medals were presented by his Excellency the Governor to head teachers for distribution among the children. The gathering was addressed by Lord Plunket, who said he agreed that, in inviting the children of New Zealand to take a prominent part in the first anniversary celebrations the authorities were to be congratulated. It was most important that the rising generation should be early taught that the designation of the Dominion was not given by the Mother Nation as a toy to be played with, but as an acknowledgement that these islands were now entitled to a place among the rising sister nations of the Empire, and in the belief that their people were prepared to accept the responsibilities which the higher status implied. Sir Joseph Ward said they should utilise such an occasion for the purpose of impressing, particularly upon the younger generation, the great value of pride in their country and the enormous admantage it was to have instilled into the young mind of this growing Dominion the necessity of sincere and. devoted patriotism to this portion of the great Empire. He hoped that before veTy long Dominion Day would be proclaimed a statutory holiday throughout the . country, and that the volunteers would be able to take part in a daylight parade, valuable to them and valuable to the country — the fixing of a certain day for a certain work connected with the v#lnuteer movement of New Zealand. There were more than 20,000 persons at Newtown Park in the afternoon, when the Governor inspected nearly 2400 volunteers and cadets, and there was an impressive march past. The Prime Minister and Lady Ward were present, besides several other members of the Cabinet and members of the Council of Defence. The parade was probably the largest ever seen in Wellington and was altogether an impressive and highly successful turn-out. At night the city was splendidly illuminated, the chief feature being an admirable representation on the huge Government Buildings of the rising sun, symbolising New Zealand's bright future. There was a reception at the Town Hall, presided over by the Mayor. Lord Plunket said he was satisfied the people of New Zealand did not intend their country to be a Dominion only in name. He had noticed a slowly growing but clear indication that the country was realising ita responsibilties. The spirit of nationality that was arising here was properly appreciated at Home. They could not blind their eyes to the fact that at a time of profound peace every nation was arming itself with feverish rapidity, and even in peace time the commercial struggle f oy supremacy was. almost a war in. ite&lf*.. The sooner the British colonies could fill tfreir vacant lands and the sooner they could evolve a force capable of at least adequately protecting themselves the better for all.

Sir Joseph Ward spoke of the significance of the day's celebrations and of the splendid and important future of New Zealand. He said it often happened, through want of practical knowledge on the part of persons helping to control affairs in the Old World that the Dominion did not receive that assistance in detail it was considered the country was entitled to. Representations had been made to the Mother Country, asking for co-operation, so that New Zealand could get a ship not now used in the Old Land, on which 1000 lads could be trained for the merchant marine or for ships of war. He was sorry to say there had been no response to the request. There certainly should have been & reply. He could not account for the indifference displayed. Sir Joseph Ward spoke of the intention to increase New Zealand's naval contribution, and concluded with a quotation from Tennyson: •"Brothers, hold your own."