WAR MEMORIAL ARCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20391, 21 October 1929, Page 12

WAR MEMORIAL ARCH.

UNVEILING AT ONEHUNGA.

A REMINDER OF SACRIFICE.

SPEECH BY HON. E. A. RANSOM.

A war memorial arch, dedicated to the memory of New Zealand soldiers who fell in the Great War, erected in Jellicoo Park, Onchunga, was officially unveiied by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, yesterday afternoon. The Minister said that all sincerely hoped that none of, those present would bo called upon to take part in an enormous conflict like that of the Great War. To-day there was evidence of the desire to settle international disputes by mutual discussion. It was not necossary for thoso who lived in the war period to have arches to stir their memories, but it was highly dcsirablo that such a memorial , should bo erected in every community to remind the younger generations of the sacrifice of the men who died. '• Afto? the destruction of the war wo have now como to a timo of construction," said Mr. Hansom. "I sincerely hope that, u5 wo look upon this arch of remembrance, it may bo an inspiration to us to see what we can do in our lives to be worthy of that sacrifice. Tho war inculcated in our boys a spirit of unselfishness and comradeship which we should apply to our own lives. Assisting Ex-soldiers. " To-day wo havo many returned soldiers who, in their desire to bo among their families and back at their vocations, declared themselves to bo perfectly fit when they returned from the war, but now they aro breaking down and are not provided for by tho pensions system or by the patriotic societies. I am pleased to bo able to say that legislation is now before Parliament in this connection, and special consideration will bo given such cases, and provision will be inado for them."

Ono of tho hymns sung was *'o Valiant Hearts," the words of which wero written by Rupert Brooke, tho soldier poet. "Rupert Brooko died for his country," said Mr. Ransom. "In a last letter to his mother he said, 'lf 1 should die, think only this of me, that there's somo corner of a foreign field that is for ever England.' We might well apply these words to New Zealand. Thero is many a corner of a foreign field that is fo? over New Zealand." "Wo have with us this afternoon peoplo of all walks of life who have como to pay their respects to those men who gave their lives for us in the Great War," said Mr' E. Morton, Mayor of Onehunga. "The freedom of which wo are so proud was in danger, tho Empire was challenged, and tho boys to whoso memory theso gates aro erected fought for the freedom we now enjoy." Appreciation of tho efforts of those who had worked hard for the erection of tho arch was expressed by Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P.' for Manukau. A Striking Memorial, The arch, a handsome stone structure set at tho north-west corner of jc"icoo Park, bears two marble slabs engraved with the words, "Arch of Remembrance, 1914-1918." The arch forms three entrances to. tho park, and tho red stono of which it is built stands out clearly against the green grass and tho trees in the background. f There was a large attendance at tho ceremony, including a number of returned soldiers and a party of veterans from tho Veterans' Home. A guard of honour was formed by men of the 21st Battery and the 32nd (Newmarket), 33rd (Epsom), 40th (Onehunga) and 43rd (Parnell) Senior Cadet Companies, tho parade being in charge of Lieutenant H. do Wolfe, with Lieutenant T. P. Laffey as adjutant. Two troops of Boy Scouts were also on parade, and two of tho Auckland Aero Club's Moths circled above during tho ceremony. A procession of Onehunga Sunday School children, headed by the Onehunga Municipal Band, marched "from Grey Street via Trafalgar Square to tho park, and the Ponsonby Boys' Band was in attendance. A party of trumpeters from the Auckland Grammar School played the " Last Post " and the " Reveille."

A prayer in memory of tho dead soldiers was offered by tho Rev.. D. D. Scott, and tho Rev. F. E. Leadloy read a lesson. By means of a system of loudspeakers suspended at various points round the park the addresses were heard clearly everywhere.