ARMISTICE DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23810, 11 November 1940, Page 6

ARMISTICE DAY

The observance of Armistice Day need not, and should not, suffer neglect in these days of war. It belongs of right to this time as well as to that which gave it birth. It was meant to be a perpetual memorial; notwithstanding the inevitable loss of strong personal appeal, with the passing of the years, as a commemoration of individual valour and sacrifice, its inherent value remains for national admonition. Gratitude for services valiantly rendered in defence of principles and institutions vital for worthy corporate life ought not to be robbed of opportunity for fit expression. Besides, this war is so deeply related to the last—for this is but a sequel, a new chapter in the story of that essential defence —that to allow Armistice Day to pass now into neglect would be to surrender a source of inspiration in the present stress. Rightly viewed, it is a reminder of more than the sorrows to be borne in the way to enduring peace; it speaks of the need to contest the deadly inroad of forces inimical to international justice and national freedom. At its inception, while no thought of shallow or selfish rejoicing had place, appreciation of the winning of a respite from that threat was of the essence of the thanksgiving, and this spirit is as timely now as it was then. Even in Britain, where circumstances make inadvisable the use of signals necessary for observance of a general period of solemn silence and where silence of any sort cannot be assured, the day is not to be forgotten; it has been sacredly brought to mind by other means. In this Dominion no such substitute for time-honoured custom has.to be adopted, and there should be, as of yore, full use of the brief ceremonial recollection of the worth of sacrificial service and the beauty of true peace.