Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th., 1929. ARMISTICE DAY

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1929, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9th., 1929. ARMISTICE DAY

MONDAY next will be commemorated throughout the Empire at least, as Armistice Day, the customary two minutes’ silence being observed at 11 a.m. Sir Joseph Ward has issued an appeal to New Zealanders to co-operate in the tribute to the heroic dead, and it would be churlish on the part of anyone who wilfully refused to respond to the national desire. Sincerity is not tested by demonstration only, and it is fitting that Monday’s observances should be of a simple character. No matter how general may be the yearning to forget the Avar and all its horrors, there -should be no aim to> forget those Avho died, or suffered for the Empire’s cause. Heroism is required in peace as well as war, and inspiration for self-sacrifice may be garnered from Armistice Day reflections.

An armistice, of course, is really a temporary truce., not necessarily the actual ending of the battle. For some years after 1918, the world was participating in an armistice, rather than established peace. Armaments did not dwindle to any vast extent, and national rivalries and post-war memories added to the danger of a renewal of hostilities, on opportune occasion. Meanwhile, the peace-makers were busy, and in spite of cheeks and disappointments, continued the good work, until, to-day, they can claim that the armistice will develop into a real settlement. The signing of the Kellogg- Pact, with the excellent prospects of further naval armaments reduction, gives ample evidence of the desire for permanent

peace. Popular literature deals more with the mud and filth of war, rather than its glories, and the support given to such propaganda, intentional or otherwise, is evidence of the new outlook. It would be premature to say that Peace is certain, but never were its foundations so strong. The building of the structure, if it proceeds according to plan, should present no great difficulties. Woe be to those ftations who oppose, or hinder, this construction.

That war does not pay is not now questioned. That it is never inevitable is a claim more open to argument, but it is likely that future wars should be unnecessary. National circumstances are altering, and the people with them. The task is not to find scapegoats for past errors, but to take desirable steps to prevent future disasters. That such a statement is platitudinous does not rob it of value, nor lessen the difficulties of attaining the ideal. Public opinion has the deciding voice. It should not be misled into denunciation of wise defence precautions, nor to forget the virtues of military training. Never should it seek to minimise the services of those who have fought in the past to uphold national liberties. New Zealanders learn with indignation, perhaps, that a V.C. holder has been found selling matches in a London street, and that other heroes were too poverty-stricken to attend the Prince of Wales’s dinner. this evening. Arc all the Dominion's own ex-soldiers getting kindly treatment ? The evidence being given to the Commission now enquiring into the circumstances of disabled soldiers does not make too happy reading. Armistice Day slionld remind the nation of warlime- promises to these men, and gtomrouN interpretation should always bo given to such contracts. The rpiwtion against war must not bread an indifl’orence to the lot ol ! thoae who did their best in the last gryat Htrugglo, and who are HOW paying a physical and mental penalty: Armistice Day reminds all ol* duly to the living, as well as to the (load, and Cor that reason alone, Ih worth annual commemoration.