Planning gets underway - Peace celebrations in 1919

Armistice Day and peace celebrations

Armistice Day in Levin

On 12 November 1918 communities throughout New Zealand celebrated news that an armistice had been signed between the Allies and Germany the previous day. The celebrations were enthusiastic and heartfelt. But they were also spontaneous and inevitably somewhat rambling affairs. A premature report of an armistice several days earlier raised doubts about whether the 11 November armistice was official, and in some areas celebrations were marred by the 1918 influenza pandemic.

The armistice did not mark the official end of the war; the terms of peace had not yet been signed. Almost immediately, communities throughout New Zealand and the empire began to plan elaborate peace celebrations that would mark the official end of the war in a manner befitting the sacrifices made.

Initial proposals

Letter to local bodies about peace celebrations

In early December 1918 the Minister of Internal Affairs, George Russell, wrote to local bodies to advise that the government was granting them 'full liberty' to make their own arrangements for peace celebrations. The government had wanted to centralise celebrations as much as possible in order to make them more impressive. But a worsening coal shortage meant it was not viable to transport large numbers of people to the main centres.

In the same letter local bodies were advised that they would be sent details of the government’s proposals for peace celebrations 'in due course'. A number of communities started to make their own plans straight away. By the end of December Auckland, for example, had formed a committee and notified local businesses that they expected them to take place over three days.

Peace celebration committees

Auckland's idea for three days of celebrations may have come from Australia. The New Zealand government had not yet provided any details of its proposals. And though there had been discussion in the British press of the form the celebrations might take there, the British government had not issued any information either. But the Australian federal government had announced its plans in mid-December. These proposals, which called for three days of celebrations – a day of thanksgiving, a day of rejoicing and a children's day – were widely reported in New Zealand.

Wellington's initial plans for peace celebrations, discussed in January 1919, also bore a strong resemblance to Australia's, including the format of each of the three days. So too did the New Zealand government's proposals when they were announced later the following month.

The government's plans

Government peace celebrations booklet

In February 1919 the New Zealand government announced its plans for peace celebrations. The format was striking similar to Australia's. Peace celebrations would take place over three days – the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after peace was proclaimed – with the latter two declared public holidays. Sunday would be a day of thanksgiving with appropriate services held in churches and chapels in the morning, followed by outdoor interdenominational services in the afternoon. Monday would be the soldiers' day with processions in the morning and activities like military reviews and athletic events in the afternoon. Tuesday would be the children's day with children assembled in local parks and provided with suitable entertainment like singing and dancing.

Application for peace celebrations subsidy

The government also announced that a generous subsidy would be available to help local bodies* meet the costs of the celebrations. Local bodies that devoted up to £100 (from their own funds or via public subscription) were eligible for a pound for pound subsidy. Those that committed larger amounts were eligible for a subsidy of 17s 6d for funds between £100 and £250, 13s for funds between £250 to £500, 12s 6d for funds between £500 to £750, and 10s for funds exceeding £750.

*For the purposes of the subsidy a local body was defined as a borough council, county council, road board, town board, harbour board, river board, drainage board, education board, agricultural and pastoral society, friendly society and any society incorporated under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.

Read more

• George Russell (DNZB)
• George Russell (Wikipedia)