The Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th., 1931. TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1931, Page 4

The Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th., 1931. TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE.

Day anniversary, to-morrow, will be commemorated throughout the Empire, and it is to be hoped that all in New Zealand will fittingly observe the two minutes’ silence, at eleven o’clock. This act of respect to those who died during the Great War, or afterwards through war injuries, is not much to ask, and is worth preserving. As each year passes, thoughts of war happenings must get less, but 1914-1918 is still sufficiently close for the happenings during that period to affect the lives of a majority in this country. The lesson of patriotism and self-sacri-fice the war-victims gave, will never be out of date, and cannot be relearned too often, by this and every

succeeding generation. It was an exhausted world that greeted the signing of the armistice, thirteen years.ago, and it cannot be said that most countries are in a much better position to-day, financially, at any rate. War-costs and post-war mistakes have come home to roost, and most of the participants in the struggle are hard pressed to avert national bankruptcy. On the other hand, the general depression has done some good, in developing the international sense, emphasising that nations must co-operate if they are to prosper. This interdependence in commercial matters must, as a logical consequence, minimise the possibilities of future wars. If there is a lot to regret in the world’s affairs, to-day, there is even more cause for gratification. Commercial prosperity is not so important as worldpeace; indeed, without the latter the former is improbable; I The cause of world peace has!

never looked so well on previous Armistice Day anniversaries, and, this, not forgetting the dispute in the Far East. Former dangers that existed in Europe, of appeals to arms, have dwindled considerably, and there is reason to claim that all is nearly quiet on that Front. Talk of revision of the Versailles Treaty does not to-day’, arouse the ire of the French to the same degree as formerly, and FrancoItalian exchanges are less aggressive. The welcome given by most nations to the year’s “holiday” where armaments are concerned augurs well for a valuable harvest from next year’s Disarmament Conference, and generally, peace-lovers have reason for optimism. Armistice Day’s special message is one of peace-preservation, and applies to Empire, as well' as to international, affairs. Happily, the Empire remains united, and is as much so to-day as in 1918. Efforts are being made to develop the commercial links between the various partners in the British Commonwealth, and generally, the outlook is bright. The Homeland and the Overseas countries, each have their special troubles and difficulties, but these problems are being courageously tackled, and in due course, will be solved. All that is needed is similar patriotism and self-sacri-fice to that so freely displayed during 1914-18. Country must come before Party, or individual comfort and convenience. Temptation to growl at the demands made by a'Government must be overcome, and the needs of present circumstances recognised. If to-morrow’s two minutes ’ silence are spent in reflecting on what the country requires of all its men and women to-day, the break from normal routine will be well-spent, particularly if the response to the call to duty is as patriotic as it was during the struggle that the first Armistice Day ended.