HALL OF MEMORIES

Evening Star, Issue 21086, 26 April 1932, Page 7

HALL OF MEMORIES

AUCKLAND'S ROLL OF HONOUR UNVEILED BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL [Pub United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, April 25. With the simplest of ceremonial the roll of honour which now adorns the Hall of Memories in the Auckland War 'Memorial Museum was decidated on Sunday afternoon by the Governor-Gen-eral (Lord Bledisloe), who made the journey from Wellington specially for the purpose. “ 1 am here to-day as your Sovereign’s representative to unveil this roll and at the same time formally to open the Hall of Memories,” said His Excellency. “ What are’ these memories? Are they merely sad and mournful or are they irradiated and sanctified with joy and pride and hope? These men, for the most part, lost their lives cheerfully and selflessly while on active service. Surely the love of their fellow countrymen should not find expression in a futile outpouring of emotional grief but rather in a ready acceptance of the claim which they make upon those who are left behind for such active service as the present conditions call for from all patriotic citizens and for ventures of faith and strenuous endeavour as courageous as theirs, although far less perilous, to make good the ground which they have won. Their spirits are calling us to this great task of unremitting service for the common good. They are begging us to work wholeheartedly and indefatigably for peace among the nations and among individuals and thus ensure that their lives were not sacrificed in vain. When we feel most lonely and despondent let us link ourselves with this invisible host and claim the privilege and stimulus of their comradeship. “ The roll which to-day will be dedicated,” proceeded His Excellency, “ must not bo blurred by the dust of forgetfulness. It should serve to recall and revive the hope of our calling and the glory of our inheritance. It should convince us of the magnitude of the power which it is open to us to exert when by sturdy faith we associate ourselves with those who have died for noble ends. Even if the lives of some of them were far from blameless we can number them among the honoured and blessed dead, seeing that in response to the clear call of duty they sacrificed their all. Whatever opportunities they may have missed in their lives, however unworthy to be described as saints, we can confidently and proudly acclaim them as heroes, for we know that when called upon to give their life for its highest ends they did not falter. They gave all that they had. They rose to the Christ-like level of those who have laid down their lives for their brethren, a level to which only love at its best can rise. By risking death in the fulfilment of a high and noble aim they entered into the secret of life’s purpose. “ To quote the famous words of our revered Sovereign when in May, 1922, he visited the war cemeteries in Franco; ‘ I fervently pray that both as nations and individuals wo may so order our lives after the ideals, for which our brethren died that we may be able hereafter to meet their gallant souls once more humbly but unashamed.’ ”