The

Melbournian Times

WAR ENDS
A
T 9 a.m. yesterday morning the suspense of the past week concerning the end of the World conflict was relieved' by an announcement. From Great Britain by, the Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) that Japan had accepted the Allies' terms and had surrendered unconditionally. Australia had been advised to await the announcement of the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) but there was no holding the people, and excitement was evident on all sides. In Sale, emotion for the greater part was suppressed. A thought behind the glad tidings was that in the era of the destruction of human life in the fight for our rights, Almighty God had seen fit to give us the victory, whilst most people are not forgetting, nor are they ungrateful to those families who have given the lives of their loved one, in order that we may continue to live in. freedom and peace. the usual disturbances (motor horns, etc.), musical instruments, tin cans, and Schools had just filled when the everything that could be hit with a stick news arrived, but the children were were in the show. The town was in an immediately given a holiday. Business uproar, and justifiably so. Traders joined houses closed and the streets were filled with their employees and the street was a with people shaking hands with one bright day for all. another. Small groups gathered here and After midday, the people there to discuss the good news. Bells and gathered in private homes and in the whistles were operated, whilst the streets to celebrate and, with them, the younger people cheered and by all whole celebrations gathered momentum. manner of means made a noise. Adults It was the type of celebrations of which looked on and applauded. It was a great any country town might be proud. It was occasion and everyone felt relieved. spontaneous and, in. the majority; unrehearsed, a tribute which could not As soon as the whistles and the be paid to any other town of similar size sirens blew, the residents of the town in the district. The people, those with started the celebrations. The motor bus relatives at the front and those with the services moved into the street, the private spontaneous exuberance of the day at and business owned Lorries and heart played with those who lost conveyances moved into Raymond Street something with the declaration of Peace. loaded with employees and supporters. The whistles blew again, the siren blew The Prince Regent Theatre was and the fire-bell clanged and the crowd packed yesterday for the thanksgiving went wild. The street was a scene which service, where a large majority of local will be long remembered in Melbourne. and district residents gathered to give Paper was torn up and then discarded. thanks for the sudden ending of the war The crowd gathered and in addition to against Japan, a war which without the

Thursday, August 16th, 1945

aid of the atomic bomb would probably have lasted for the next twelve months with a regrettable loss of life and casualties which the nation could illafford to lose. It was a day of rejoicing in which everyone participated. The crowd did not immediately disperse, but gathered in the street again for further celebration. The service at the Prince Regent, in addition to the services at the churches, was most impressive, and the sincerity which was evidently a good sign for the future of world peace.

Ken Kelsall 12A