The Hawera Star. MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1924. TEN YEARS AGO.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 August 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1924. TEN YEARS AGO.

Delivered every evening t>y 5 o’clock in Ha were, Manaia. Normanby. Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otake'uo M&nutahi, Alton, Burleyville, Patett, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Oiiangar, Meremere, Fraser Hoad, and

Ten years ago the Eimpire was in a much sounder economic position than it is in to-day, gold was in circulation, there was far less unemployment, and people were more contented. On August 4, 1914, Great Britain was forced to make her decision upon the position that had arisen in Europe as the result to the Prussians setting in motion their plan for world domination. Germany possessed a great and well-trained army and a navy which was second only in power to. the British, and she had at her disposal the latest means of destruction that scientists had discovered. So equipped she had decided to challenge civilisation, and her armies were marehng eastward and westward to fight Russia, Belgium and France. “The Day” had arrived, and the challenge had gone forth. During the latter part of July and in the first few days of August, when it was clearly seen that Germany and Austria, were determined to force the issue, British leaders were doing their utmost to dissuade the war-tmakers from plunging the world into the dreadful abyss, but the Germans refused to halt, and had crossed the Belgian frontier and were bringing all, their most powerful weapons into position. At last- Britain found that she had no alternative, and reluctantly entered the conflict. For the next four and a quarter years the guns belched forth their terrible missiles, and hundreds of square miles of country were laid desolate and hundreds of thousands of the finest men sacrificed their lives on the battlefields. As the war proceeded its effects upon the world became more noticeable, and by the time the Germans signed the Armistice the world had not only used up its surplus wealth, but had drawn very heavily upon its capital and manpower. Peace came to find the nations very much weakened and in a sorry state. The long years of sacrifice which had to be faced in order to defeat the Central Powers resulted in a great reaction after the war ended, and a great many people gave way to the natural temptation to enjoy a holiday after the long period of strain. Had that holiday been limited to a. few weeks, and had the people settled down again to hard work to restore the great loss of strength which the war had caused, the position would have been much better, but, as everyone knows, the great holiday led to unprecedented extravagance in many directions and a period of inflation, and finally the smash came, affecting every' part of the world. We do not know that any particular people can be fairly blamed for what happened; it was perhaps a natural sequence of events. The last three years have brought a ' great change, and throughout the British Empire there are definite efforts being made to restore the nation to- a sound economic position. Much progress is recorded, but a great deal remains to be done before the position desired is reached. On this the tenth anniversary of the entry of the British Empire into the war, one looks back to the enormous changes that have taken place in the world and in the British Empire during the decade. But in some things there lias been no change. An outstanding

feature is the unity of the Empire, which, in spite of the disturbances among the nations, is as strong as ever it was. The Empire has made more progress in restoring its strength than any of the other nations, and at the same time its various parts have come to a better understanding in matters affecting the whole. The Dominions are recqgnised now as nations, having gained their right to such recognition by their contribution to the Empire during the war, and there is a keen desire in the Old Country and in the Dominions to maintain the unity of the nation for the welfare of British people and of the world. The three political parties in Great Britain realise that Empire unity is essential, as Mr. J. H. Thomas (Secretary for the Colonies) stated a few ago: “It is imperative that the interests of the Dominions should be recognised and looked after. We also want outsiders to understand that any domestic differences are not going to weaken ns, because we are going to remedy them.” Such a statement from a leading member of the Labour Government ten years after the war and the numerous revolutionary movements which have taken place in the world is very encouraging, and while that spirit is maintained we think that there need be little fear of the future of the British Empire. Ten years ago German militarism attempted to destroy the British nation hut failed, as have the efforts of revolutionaries since the war. To-day the nation stands united, the great champion of Freedom and Justice, ready to do all in its power to help to bring about better conditions in the world and to encourage the spirit of peace and goodwill within its borders and among all nations. Upon the spirit and efforts of British citizens everywhere will depend to a great extent the nation’s success in the next decade. The prospects are much brighter than they were a couple of years ago when Bolshevism, Communism and theories of a revolutionary character were the vogue, and when it seemed as if the importance of unity of Empire and its mission in the world were in danger of being forgotten. As each anniversary of Britain’s entry into the war comes round, we think that it should remind the people of the value of unity and of the great sacrifices made hv the soldiers, of the nation to ensure that the, Empire should not he destroyed. It should also remind the individual of his duty to the Empire to work so that lie may help the nation to maintain Its unity and lead the world in the paths of peace and prosperity.