PEACE DEMONSTRATION

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22606, 10 May 1945, Page 4

PEACE DEMONSTRATION

Hamilton surpassed and surprised itself with the warmth and spontaneity with which it celebrated Victory Day in Europe. It was imagined that the postponement of the celebration until the day following the announcement of the unconditional surrender of Germany would take the spirit out of the merry-making, but it was obvious yesterday that the pent-up feelings of six years of sacrifice and labour were finding full expression. It was an inspiring and heartening spectacle. Every one of those who participated was well aware of the fact that another enemy has yet to be defeated and that much remains to be done before the world is restored to the sanity of peace, but there was a laudable determination to show by outward demonstration how the hearts of the people have been uplifted by the destruction of the evil which has darkened all their lives for long years; to show their loathing of all that Hitlerism meant; to mark their expectation of a new kind of peace and a new ordering of human affairs. Such crowds have never before been seen in Hamilton, and if light-hearted, their conduct was exemplary. The procession was a credit to those responsible. It had been assembled in only a day or two. It could not have been staged unless there were a deep and genuine feeling behind it. New Zealanders have a reputation of being an undemonstrative people, but those who crowded Hamilton yesterday could not have been accused of tardiness in showing their relief and their joy in the overthrow of tyranny. During years of war the power of officialdom has contrasted overwhelmingly with the willingly subdued force of the great public. Yesterday the power that lies in the hands of the common people was demonstrated in spectacular fashion. For good or ill in- the formative days ahead that great moral force will make or mar New Zealand and every other country. It is for the mass of the people, which can joy and sorrow and work and fight together, to express itself in the advancement of the nation and of civilisation. That responsibility is heavy enough. Not emotionalism but sturdy common sense is required of the people. Given this quality there is nothing which they cannot achieve.