The Star. TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1924. THE MEMORIAL ARCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, Issue XLIV, 10 June 1924, Page 4

The Star.

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1924. THE MEMORIAL ARCH.

Delivered every evening by ft o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangafcokl, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Burleyvilte, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Obangai, Meremero, Fraser Eo»d, end Ararat*.

The unveiling of the Memorial Arch tomorrow afternoon should be regarded as an historic event by citizens. The Arch which has b«en erected is a. beautiful piece of work, and will stand for generations to com© as a tangible expression of thankfulness and reverent respect to the men who went forth to defend the nation, and all for which it stands,' from the furious attacks of the vicious enemy. One recalls the war years and all their horrors, and, though the enormous losses which the Empire suffered cause sadness when remem- , beted, one has every reason to feel i proud of the men who made such heroic sacrifices, for the nation and the principles upon which it stands. The Memorial Arch is an emblem of the high honour and respect of the Hiring for the Empire's men and women who gave their all for the nation. But it should mean something more to all whcksee it. The soldiers did their part, and showed that,they regarded death itself as not too great a price to pay for the defence of the Empire and its people. The names of men to whose memory the Arch has been erected were well known to many people in this district. They were men of character arc! high principles; men who had a simple faith in their nation; and they set an example to those who come after them of the duties of British citizens. As people stand before the Memorial- Arch tomorrow it is hoped that they will realise that the unveiling is not just an empty ceremony, but that it has a very solemn meaning and message for those whose minds are open to accept them. ! The soldiers went forward to defend the heritage handed down by their forefathers. They gave their lives in that defence, handing on to the living a heritage more precious by reason of the! awful price paid for its defence. How many of the people living within the • Empire to-day and enjoying the privi-I leges and benefits of citizenship under' the Union Jack give a thought to what' these great gifts have cost? Obvious-' ly such a heritage imposes upon' all British people duties and responsibili- f ties which they should be proud tol accept, for as everyone knows, if the nation is to maintain the prestige [ which it has gained, British citizens in ' this and succeeding generations muststrive to live up to their profession^. ! The great majority of people are not ' called upon to be leaders of the nation, but that does not mean that there is therefore no need for them to be careful how they live. In the last few years the newspapers have had to record a great increase in crime within the Empire. Such crime is regarded ', by many people as an indication that moral standards are lower nowadays than they have been" for,- many years past. We think that the standard is considerably lower, and one notices an absence of observances in everyday life which in pre-war times were rightly regarded as important. Reverence and respect for things sacred are not manifested to anything like the same extent as in days past, and one cannot but note with regret and anxiety the ! drifting away from customs and ob- ] servances which for generations had ' been associated with British citizenship. « Some people may say that the breaking i \ adrift from old customs is really part I of the advance of modern times, but I those who think more deeply see in the ' breaking away very serious dangers. C We hope therefore that all who are J present at the unveiling ceremony tomorrow—and there should be .a very * large gathering—will not only think of „ the great deeds of the men to whose '~ memory the Arch has been erected, but t irill also remind themselves that it f should be the aim of each British citi- * '.en to contribute what he or she can ° owurds the Empire's welfare, its pr«. J

gr©ss and prosperity. It may be only R tiny contribution that each one can make, but in the . aggregate such contributions are invaluable. The Memorial Arch should be a perpetual reminder of the sacrifices of the men who served tfeeir Empire in the time of very grave crisis. May that reminder also be an incentive to all who see the Arch to serve tke Empire by helping to build up th© Dominion, of which South Taranaki is so valuable a part.