New Zealand Peace Issue - 1946

NEW ZEALAND, following the end of World War II, issued a set of 11 stamps to mark the end of the war. These stamps were released as a First Day Cover on 1 April 1946. The postmark for this FDC originated in Lower Hutt (a city in the Wellington area), New Zealand. The designs for this issue were all prepared by James Berry of Wellington. They project a variety of subjects: Victory, Peaceful Government, Tributes, and Memorials.

'Tribute to the People of Britain' - 1½d

This stamp is different in that the idea of Victory is included in the design.The view is of St. Paul's Cathedral in London with the British flag, the 'Union Jack' in the background. The stamp pays tribute to the people of Britain who stood up to the forces of Nazi Germany.

'Faith in Constitutional Government' - 1d        

'In Peace, long may they Reign' - 2d

These two stamps depict aspects of peaceful government. In the 1d value, the New Zealand Houses of Parliament is shown with King George VI in the insert.

The 2d shows the Royal Family - His Majesty King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in a frame representing the Royal Crown.

'Tribute to the Air Force' - 3d   

                    'Tribute to the Army' - 4d

 'Tribute to the Navy and the Mercantile Navy' - 5d

'Tribute to Workers on the Home Front' - 6d

These four stamps pay tribute to different groups of people involved in the war effort. In a war such as World War II, all parts of New Zealand society were helping and contributing towards a common goal.

3d - Depicts the Badge of the Royal New Zealand Air Force surrounded by some of the aircraft flown by New Zealand pilots. New Zealand airmen in large numbers flew with the RAF during the Battle of Britain. They were also found in many other areas of conflict too. 4d - Shows the New Zealand Army Badge with two scenes where the army was involved, fighting in the deserts of North Africa and helping on farms to provide food. New Zealand soldiers saw action in North Africa, Italy and in the Pacific against the Japanese. 5d - Highlights the Navy Badge. In the background on the left is the H.M.N.Z.S. Achilles which took part in the battle of the River Plate where the German pocket battleship Graf Spee was cornered and destroyed.  On the right is the Dominion Monarch one of the many ships carrying troops and produce from New Zealand to England. 6d - Shows the New Zealand Coat of Arms. The scenes behind show two of the many tasks performed by people back in New Zealand working in vital industries and on farms. In many cases, these tasks, normally the role of men, were taken over by women.

'The Service and Devotion of Youth in the Nation's Cause' - 8d

'Remembrance' - 1/shilling

These two stamps are the memorial stamps to remember the many people who lost their lives during the war. 8d - The stained glass window of the Wellington College Memorial Hall features a knight holding a banner depicting the Cross of St George.

1/- (1 shilling) - The National Memorial, Wellington.

'Peace and Tranquillity' - ½d                                      

              

 'A Spirit of Thankfulness' - 9d

Finally, there are two stamps showing the peace which the whole country was looking forward to.

½d - Lake Matheson with the two peaks, Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, in the background. The idea is a beautiful scene in a time of peace. 9d - The Chapel window, Waiho Gorge, with the Franz Joseph Glacier in the background.

Source: Virtual New Zealand Stamps