GLORY OF THE DEAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 15

GLORY OF THE DEAD.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH.

IDEALS FOR THE LIVING.

LESSON OF ANCIENT GREECE

CENOTAPH AS APPEAL TO DUTY

Glory brought by death to those who fell in the war, rather than grief at their death, was the keynote of the speech delivered by the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fcrgusson, in handing over to the Mayor of Auckland the Cenotaph after its consecration and dedication.

"I would carry your minds back , over 2000 years," His Excellency said, in addressing the gathering. """"In ancient Greece, after a battle, the people assembled on a stated day at somo beautiful spot outside the city. There tlie remains of those who had fallen in battle were brought in caskets, and other caskets, empty, symbols of those men whoso remains could not bo brought back. A chosen citizen made an oration of tribute and then the peoplo went quietly away to their homes.

"Now, above the doorway of this great museum, we see inscribed words, which were spoken on one of these occasions by the great Athonian, Pericles, ' The whole world is the sepulchre of famous men.' In the speech in which these words occur, Pericles said that the men had resigned all hope of happiness in the determination to do their duty. They ran away from (he word of dishonour but on the battlefield their feet stood f\st. and at the moment of their death thev passed away from the scene not of their fear, but of their glory. Glory That Survives. "The whole tenor of the magnificent oration was not that the people should grieve, but rather that they should turn their eyes to the glory which surrounded the memory of those who died for their country, glory to those whom they most loved. It was easy to" talk of brave defending and fighting, but he would rather that they would fix their eves day by day on the greatness of their country juid reflect the example set by mon who knew their duty and had the courage to do it. Their graves were not those in which their remains were interred, but that in which their glory lived, for 'the whole world is the sepulchre of famous men.'

"And to-clav we are enacting a similar scene on a beautiful spot outside the city," His Excellency continued. "A cenotaph docs not represent the graves in which the dead are interred, but it does represent the glory that survives them. It represents to us that these were men who knew their duty and had the courage to do it. The Cenotaph becomes to all of us an appeal to duly. Ideal of Fellowship.

"Were these lives wasted ? Did these men die in vain ? Thev did die in vain if wo in future do not dedicate our lives to duty and service to our fellowmen. I want to remind you of one other contrast. On the upper wall, at the top of the museum,, there are representations and pictures of men typical of those who fought in the Great War. It is a living picture of war and the scenes so many of us remember. And then our eyes travel down from that picture to the Cenotaph—a picture of rest and peace." His Excellency then quoted the verse; "I dreamed that overhead I saw in twilight grey, an army of the dead marching on its way." The verse concluded: "Foes marched side by side who once fought face to face." That was an ideal which all longed to see consummated. Love and sacrifice should inspire the peoples of the world to such love and fellowship with their fellow-men that war could be a thing no more. Object of Loving Care.

"Wo leave here our memories of the dead," Mis Excellency concluded. "Not thoughtlessly, as though we did not realise their glory ; not grudgingly, as though we did not appreciate to the full the sacrifice'they made for mankind; and not sorrowfully, as though without hope. 'Victorious He rose, victorious they, too shall rise, those who have drunk His cup of sacrifice." His Excellency then formally handed over to the Mayor of Auckland. Mr. George Baildon.'the Cenotaph and the Court of Honour, expressing his confidence that for all time they would form an object of loving care for (he city. In a short speech, the Mayor accepted the Cenotaph on behalf of the city and assured His Excellency that it would be preserved for future inhabitants of the city as an outward sign of respect for those who gave their all for the Empire so that those who remained might live.

LARGE CROWD ATTENDS.

OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVES

Between 7000 and 8000 people were present at the War Memorial ceremony yesterday afternoon. On the platfdrm wore representatives of all sections contributing to the cost and upkeep of the memorial. The Gov-ernor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, was accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson, Captain E. P. O. Boyle, military secretary, and Captain E. L. Orr-Ewing, aide-de-camp. Mr. A. S. Bankart, chairman of tho Citizens' War Memorial Committee, presided. The Prime Minister was represented by the Hon. J. B. Donald, Post-master-General, and among others present were tho Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon; the Mayoress, Mrs. A. D. Campbell; Commander G. W. T. Robertson, R.N. • Commander Nelson' Clover, 8.N.; LieutenantColonel J. E. Duigan, Mr. A. C. A. Sexton, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association; Sir James Cunson, former chairman of the Citizens' War Memorial Committee, and Lady Gunson; Mr. 11. E. Vaile, president of the Auckland Institute and Museum, and Mrs. Vaile, and Miss Mowbray, representing the Victoria League. Archbishop Averill was accompanied by Mrs. Averill and Archdeacons G. Mac' Murray, 11. A. Hawkins .and W. J. Simkin.

The Municipal Band was in attendance