SIMPLE LESSONS OF PEACE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7201, 26 April 1930, Page 8

SIMPLE LESSONS OF PEACE

Work of League I of Nations Eulogised Pi LARGE CONGREGATION AT PUBLIC SERVICE |A: : V " ' 1 1 ** Simple Lessons of Peace ’ ’ would be f? ft fitting title to the address given 'at t oommeinoiatjon service held at the: Palmerston North.. Showgrounds y ester: (la P afternoon, by the Rev. G. C. 't, Crudekshanks, of Auckland. It was an i appropriate talk in view of the proximil; it •of the naval conference and , the speaker made use of the opportunity to urge the cause-of the League of Nations.

, Always accept an apology, when it is offered you, was the preacher's first exhortation. Ho pointed out that the spark kindled at Sarajevo might never, have been formed into the catastrophic world war had Austria been prepared to accept Servia’s apology. By applying the principle to home and business life, he ventured the opinion that a difference would be created.

The preacher's second peace suggestion was for everybody to keep his word. There had been a treaty existing between the great powers of Europe not to violate Belgium's neutrality but certain nations declared that they would not respect any “scrap oi paper” when it came to a matter of expediency. The violation of Belgium’s neutrality had definitely brought England into' the war. In family and business life also, what a difference could be made if everybody urns strictly truthful and kept his word. If Anzac Day stood for anything, it was the fact that thoso who made such heroic names for themselves were those whom one knew r in everyday life —with Whom one went to school. Those men whoso memory the Dominion'desired to honour wore only human beings but they achieved greatness by doing their duty. Anzac Day had no meaning whatsoever unless it proved that everyone had spiritual ideals. It was the spiritual within one which responded to the ideals of Anzac Day.

Many of the best spiritual achievements from other points of view -were failures. Anzac, from one point oi view, was a failure but from the spiritual aspect, it was a great achievement. ‘.‘Respond to spiritual within you,” urged the speaker, “and try to do everything to seo that war shall bo no more.”

He appealed to the congregation to give tho League of Nations serious consideration. The Kellogg pact and other such agreements were worth only What was made of them. The League of Nations was the first line to defence, not the last. It had averted several wars which might have been as great as the last and because of its success in that direction, he urged a greater interest in it. The loss of one single life even, was sufficient.,for the nation to demand that ’ everything possible should be done to 'avert another war, . Fifteen millions had perished in the the last great , struggle and the cost had reached the' tremendous sum ef ,£52,000,000,000. “Surely then,” added the speaker, “if'we'are a sensible race, we will do all in our power to prevent a recurrence.” ■ The League' of Nations was endeavouring' to provide the front line of defence and he asked for support for the 'League because'it was spiritual in effort. He would say to the rising young man ‘|Do Your Duty.” Peace had its heroes no less than war and ho wonderedif the best men were offering themselves for the arduous duties of peace-time —the duty of doing one’s best for others. “Keep your word, tell the truth and lastly,.forgive others,” he urged. Stupidity and jealousy more -than money, were the Toots of evil. The men of Anzac stood before the ? oople of to-day more as peacemakers than as warriors.

The service was impressive. The hymns chosen were “0 God, Our Help in Ages Past,” Kipling's "Recessional” and ‘' O Valiant Hearts. ’ ’ A pray-, cr was offered in commemoration ,of -the fallen and a brief-silence observed for those bereaved, son-owing and suffering as a result of the war. II Proceedings concluded with the ‘National Anthem and the sounding of "Last- Post” and "Reveille” by T rumpe ter W earn e. H Prior, to the service, there was a •oaradb of returned soldiers, territorials *md cadets headed by the Garrison [■-hand. - The column marchc-d past the [‘Soldiersi Memorial in the Square which Kan-bedecked with floral tributes to . vne memory of fallen sons, brothers and comrades. The Garrison Band also provided the music for the singing at the showgrounds where there was the [customary large concourse of people.

* SHANNON. The usual Anzac Day services took place at Shannon. At 9 n.m. a service was h[eld in the school for all children jover Standard 11. Mr. Marks, headmaster, introduced Dr. Hunter, president of the Levin E.S.A., who thanked ..the children for the salo of poppies, i which' were made by injured soldiers itjjSshd tho money obtained was utilised for returned soldiers and carried a subtidy. Anzac Day had been set aside as, ‘ firstly a day of rejoicing that New Zealand had sufficient men to uphold its. lonour, secondly, a day of mourning for those who did not return, and thirdly, a day of rejoicing for thoso who tamo back.

• Vi . On Ajpril 25th, fifteen years ago the A.N.Z.A.C. surprised their allies and •Ui-eir enemies by their landing at Gallipoli. Many of New Zealand’s mantood fell on that day but considerably ■ more fell during shorter periods at a ikter date. Anzac Day was New Zea? kkwnl’s torch of remembrance, ki At the, conclusion of Dr. Hunter’s LfCddress the procession formed up in the | school grounds, returned soldiers, girl I guides, boy scouts and children, and I marched to the cenotaph, where wreaths Lwere deposited. The procession then

moved into the Maoriland theatre, where the Rev. Young and Williamson conducted the service, There was a good muster in the hall, and many beautiful wreaths were placed on the Ibuotaph. V HUM '