SOLDIERS' IDEALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23194, 14 November 1938, Page 12

SOLDIERS' IDEALS

GREAT WAR SERVICE ; ATTHUpE AT_ PRESENT ;CWVY CRITICISM OF TREATMENT ARMISTICE SUNDAY ADDRESS Regret that the world was rapidly forgetting the ideals which inspired men and women who served in the Great War, and for which many thousands gave their lives, was expressed by the Rev. E. Blackwood Moore, vicar of Papatoetoe, when speaking at St. Matthew's Church yesterday afternoon, during the annual Armistice Sunday service arranged by the Old Contemptibles' Association. The large congregation was representative of the association, the British Legion, the New Zealand • Returned Soldiers and Territorial forces. ex-Naval men, the Company of Master Mariners, the Legion of Frontiersmen, Scottish regiments and nursing divisions. "There are still many thousands who remember the personal experiences of thbso years, but their number is rapidly decreasing," said Mr. Moore. "Not only did they participate in the great adventure, but many of them entered an even braver adventure when they cam© back and wont on living. The Fight for Pensions "There are many more thousands to whom those years mean little or nothing, and their number is rapidly increasing," he added. "One of the greats est tragedies of the last 20 years is the fact that ex-servicemen's organisations have had to fight for the pensions of over 100,000 men. The fight still goes on and there does not appear to be any armistice in sight. Nor can there be any real sense of achievement with the pensions that have been obtained. What are they after all but less than bare sustenance?"

Many young people to-day were at a. loss to understand why the ex-service-men and women took part in 'the' war at all, Mr. Moore said. Those who gave their lives or returned to; , civil life, really believed that there would, be peace and that the world would be a grander place, with less injustice, less selfishness and less self-seeking, and that those who returned would be well looked after bv a grateful country. Twenty years had passed, but their hopes had not been realised. Call lor Sacrifice "A few weeks ago we stood on the edge, of the precipice of war again because we had failed to build a better world, and in failing We had broken the pact with our glorious dead, J,i b> said. "Our intentions were of the best. We meant to build a new life, but we made the colossal mistake of leaving the Lord of Life out of our plane. The truth is that the world is as if; is just because were are as we are, and there are so many like ourselves, no better and no worse. Ther« are not enough Christians to go round." / Itf achieving a noble destiny, the young people of to-day must sacrifice themselves "to God, to their country and to the world. In giving themselves to 'their- country, they- must be prepared and> equipped to defend her, or there might be no noble destiny to fulfil. . / World Sanity Mr. Moore concluded by urging all to dedicate themselves to God for the restoration of the world's sanity. Prior to the service* the organisations taking part marched to the church from Quay Street under - the command of Colonel R. H. Marryatt. The parade was led by the Ponsonby Boys' Band. The Rev ; H. K. Vickery, chaplain to the "Flying Angel Missions to Seamen, conducted the service, and was assisted by the Revs. E. S. Emmitt and J. W. McKenzie. At the conclusion the Last Post and the Reveille Were sounded. AUSTRALIAN FORCE ' " 7 * ' NEEDS OF HOME DEFENCE iTRIBUTE TO ABSENT COMRADES

Friendships were and wartime experiences and associations recalled by over 50 Australian exsoldiers at a dinner and social held at the Roof Garden Tearooms on Saturday night. It was the second annual reunion of Auckland members of the Australian Imperial Force Ex-Service-men's Association. The president. Mr. E. P. Titchener, presided. "Absent Comrades" were honoured in a most impressive manner. All lights were extinguished save a snotlight, which was directed upon a flagstaff bearing an Australian flag. After a short silence tho padre, the Rev. H. K. Vickery, recited the second vers© of Binyon's immortal lines, and all present-repeated the last line—"We will remember them." A trumpeter then sounded the "Last Post," the flag being slowly lowered. The "Last Post" was followed by Stevenson's "Requiem" sung by Mr. T. V. Tuohy. The lights were then put on again, the flag raised,' and the "Reveille" sounded by a trumpeter. The president said members of the association were proud to feel that th'ev were part of the Auckland Returned Soldiers',. Association. In 1915 when they joined forces with the New Zealand Division on Gallipoli a link was forged in a chain which drew together the manhood of ; their 'two countries. The war was alj but forgotten, but the name Anzac would hold together during the lifetime not only of the returned soldiers, but also for generations to 'come in- New Zealand and Australia. , ■ ■ * ■ ; ' - "And now, 20 years after a time when the world rejoiced at the signing of the Armistice, comes the call to service to returned soldiers who have seen active service,"' continued Mr. Titchener. "With the experience gained during those war years we can and will stand together to-dav and make available this experience for use in a national emergency, should the occasion arise. "It is for the young man of to-day 1 to uphold the sacred name of Anzac. As returned soldiers we can inspire this yoniig man by our actions to join the various territorial Units. It is our } duty to set the example. So I say to you returned soldiers who can still i, carry out military duties, and to any 1 ; young man who may be listening, there | is undoubtedly some place in the mili- j F- v scheme of homo defence where ! your service can be utilised " A roll call was held during the 1 Credr >"*' WOTe