"DOUBLE TENTH" CHINESE CELEBRATE OBSERVANCE IN AUCKLAND

In celebration of the thirty-third anniversary of the foundation of the Chinese Republic about 500 Chinese and a few European friends gathered in the Tivoli Theatre yesterday afternoon. The meeting, which was organised by the Auckland branch of the Chinese Association of New Zealand, opened with the Chinese National Anthem. The gathering made the customary three bows to the portrait of the late Dr. Sun Yatsen, founder of the Republic, and the chairman, Mr. Gum Leong Lowe, read Dr. Sun's will. The chairman then declared the meeting open, and he was followed in addresses in Chinese by Mr. Ng Fong, Mr. Y. S. Chan, the Rev. Y. S. Chau and Mr. Ng Dai Bak. The speeches referred to the significance of the occasion and to recent developments in China. Listeners were exhorted not to be depressed by bad war news, for there were always ups and downs in wars, but to work the harder for victory. Being so far away from their home country, they were urged to give as much financial assistance to China as possible. The same theme ran through the Chinese vocal items, which were accompanied by a Chinese band. A collection was taken up and realised £554. The screening of a Ministry of Information film on China and a coloured film showing Madame Chiang Kai-shek in America followed. A welcome tb the English members of the audience was tendered by Miss Betty Ah Chee. "If you have not entirely comprehended our proceedings," she said, "let us hope that this afternoon has been sufficiently different to interest you enough to want to learn more of our customs and our language. I assure you it would afford us much pleasure to assist you over small obstacles in return for the guidance and toleration we have received in learning your language." The function concluded with four cheers for China: "Together! To victory!" "Down with the aggressors!" "Long may we have the Double Tenth to celebrate!" "Long live China!" Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 241, 11 October 1944, Page 6