Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1934. ARMISTICE ANNIVERSARY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 November 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1934. ARMISTICE ANNIVERSARY.

QBSERVANCE of the Armistice ‘Day anniversary to-morrow, may lack some o£ the customary impressiveness, owing to the day being one when industry is at rest, but it is to be hoped that the majority will honour the two minutes silence from eleven o’clock. Doubtless, the churches will make special reference to the day so long awaited, and will emphasise the blessings of world peace. Despite the anxiety about the possibilities of another great war, the armistice is still preserved, and it may yet prove that the peace-workers are building better than they know.

Lord Harewood, on presenting a new standard to the British Legion at Cotherstone, Yorks, recently, said that he trusted corn, the emblem of plenty, would soon in reality take the place of poppies, the emblem of desolation during the war which they all remembered so vividly. In due course the poppy would, in that respect, be forgotten, he hoped. Whatever symbol is used to perpetuate the memory of those who gave their lives for the Empire during 1914-18, thel duty will remain the same to save from want those who survived and to see that the dependents of all who served, do not suffer through the patriotism of the soldier-mem-bers of the families. The years may pass, but such duty will remain, until none is left requiring assistance. Armistice Day serves a useful purpose if only to remind the nation of its promises to those who enlisted.

The international outlook is admittedly dark, and the failure of the Disarmament Conference proves that some nations retain their old faith in militarism. Rearmament competition has started, and unless a check is made, history will repeat itself. Aerial transport which should be a blessing to mankind annihilating as it does the distances that separate, promises to effect annihilation of another and unwelcome kind. The horrors of aerial warfare, however, are so well realised that public opinion in most countries may yet be influenced to demand peace-preservation. No one

land can keep the peace alone. Britain set a great example in reducing her forces, but it was not copied, until in sheer instinct of self-preservation, Britain has been compelled to revise her pacifist policy. Anti-war conferences and societies are preaching to the converted when their eloquence is showered on British Empire lands. Peace would bo better served if the real offending countries against pacifist ideals were made centres of such mission. Meanwhile Empire countries are forced into developing the armaments they are willing to abolish, if other nations will act similarly.