KING’S BIRTHDAY PARADE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22429, 16 June 1938, Page 9

KING’S BIRTHDAY PARADE

SO THE EDITOR OF IB* PRESS. Sir,—A few days ago the anniversary of the King’s Birthday was celebrated with, a monster military _ parade at Hagley Park. Several thousand people watched the ceremony, which had as its central figure the Governor-Gen-eral. Every available army unit was present, and after a talk on the glories of war had been given over a public address system, they proceeded to manoeuvre in glorious array before the Governor-General. At the conclusion of the ceremony three rousing cheers were given for the King. This briefly is a description of the parade. It may or may not have been efficiently performed, but what I am considering is its effect on the public. First, it struck me as being an organised effort to stimulate recruiting. I will not go into this question. The need for recruits is a result, rather than a cause, of a country’s warlike attitude. Only in theory was the parade a commemoration of the birthday of a King. In fact, it was purely a piece of military propaganda, and as such should be discouraged by all rightminded people. It is only by universally forsaking such dangerous militaristic behaviour that the world can secure an effective state of peace and happiness.—Yours, etc., L. CLEVELAND. June 14. 1938.