The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPT. 4th, 1939. THE EMPIRE AT WAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 58, 4 September 1939, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, SEPT. 4th, 1939. THE EMPIRE AT WAR

AND so a,t last it has come —ending 1 the intolerable strain of suspense, but nonetheless the most dreaded visitation any nation existing in the world to-day can be called upon to endure . War has once more been thrust upon the Empire that has cradled democracy and stands jealous guard over its ideals and principles. The soberness of the British reception to the news bears out the oft' repeated statement that as- a nation we have no quarrel with the German people but only with the unscrupulous totalitarian Government which by means of its controlled radio and press has so misrepresented the position to the masses that they are now helpless pawns in the hands of men who have not hesitated to precipitate: a new world war. A humble news organ - •serving a small rural community in one of the last outposts of Empire the BEACON hesitates to express an opinion on the subject that has already shaken the fabric of civilisation and filled the press of the world with forbod'ing. Yet we feel that we have something to reflect in the way of local opinion in this tiny unit of Empire which in common with the whole of the Dominion is proud of its loyalty to the crown- In every Whakatane home over the momentous week-end just past, the apprehension felt at the possibility of an armed conflict was offset by whole-heart-ed endorsement of the nations' desperate bid for peace and final decision to lay the bully of Europe low. This opinion is typical of the spirit of Empire in all parts of the globe. Britishers the world over will realise the task which lies ahead and' can be relied upon to meet the call to arms in the same spontaneous manner as they have in the past. The British nation in the words of the Prime Minister is slow to make up its mind but having once made it up nothing will shift it from its purpose. In answering the Motherland' once more the Dominions will be firm in their decision that Germany, in the interests of the peace of the world must be made to feel the suffering which she has only too often caused to others. The world war of 1914-18 was fought mainly in France, Germany tasted none of the devastation she had wreaked upon the defenceless people of Flanders. Her invasion of Sudetenlarid, of Austria, of Czechoslovakia has been characterised 1 by actions of brutal armed men torturing and bullying the inoffensive civilian populations. Germany must experience the same misery and suffering she has habitually inflicted on less powerful neighbours. We have now arrived at the crossroads and although bur role at the present time is watching and waiting, we are strong in the united' belief that the nation as a whole supports the Home Government in its dignified attitude towards the loudmouthed blandishments, and blustering display of the armed monster which by its unprecedented actions is darken ing the map of Europe to-day. May we stand steady with the Empire in this hour and' should our destiny dictate that we be drawn into the conflagration let us remember our traditions, our country and the dauntless pioneers from whom we sprang and face the future unflinchingly.