PETONE’S BRAVE MEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11738, 28 January 1924, Page 7

PETONE’S BRAVE MEN

A WAR MEMORIAL INTERESTING CEREMONY AT WORKING MEN'S CLUB. MR T. M. WILFORD’S ADDRESS. There was a packed gathering at the Fetone Working Men’s Club on Saturday evening, when the ceremony of unveiling the memorial board erected to those members who served in the Great War was performed by the Hon. T. M. Wilford. The board is a very landsomely-designed and executed aiece of work, being divided into three >art®, on which are inscribed resjpecively the names of those who died, hose who were wounded, and those vho returned safe. MR WILFORD’S ADDRESS. Mr W. Burk, president of the club introduced Mr Watford, who callea for a brief silence in memory of the dead, and then said : Once more I attend a ceremony arranged to mark the sacrifice of brave men for a cause, and once again 1 wonder whether “the war to end wars’’ has taught the world sense, reason, and forbearance. More men are under arms to-day than in 1918, and it needs but a spark to kindle a fire in Europe which would take years to sxtinguish. Any nation which thinks inly of its own glory and forgets to :o-ordinate its politics and its trade with other nations sooner or later becomes a menace to the world. The winged dove of peace can neither be seen nor heard in the world to-day. The sacrifice made by those whose names are here recorded prevented for years the dominance of jack-boot tyranny, but when they laid down their livee and helped in the great decision, they left a legacy of obligation for peace upon those who remained to blaze the trail of understanding and goodwill. They hesitated not on the order of their going; they threw themselves into the fight with the ardour of heroes, and left behind a record of duty nobly done. Do not let us forget the sadness and sorrow borne without outward sign by those they left behind to mourn their going. To them our sympathy » this day extended, if only to cushion the touch of their great grief. “ALL WAR IS HELL.” Eyes have not seen the overwhelming grief brought about by the conflict (continued Mr Wilford). All war is hell and it is the duty rf these who live after those who have gone to work for peace co-operation and goodwill. Away in the Far East Shogun Iyeasu wrote something you may Tike to hear. Here is his philosophy: “Life is like unto a long journey with • heavy load, Let thy steps he slow and steady that they stumble not. Persuade thyself that imperfection and inconvenience is the natural life of mortals and there will be no room for discontent neither for despair. When ambitions arise in thy heart recall the days of extremity thou hast passed through. Forbearance is the* root if Quietness and assurance for ever. If thou knowest only what it is to sonquer and knowest not what it is to be defeated, woe unto thee. Find fault with thyself rather than with others.” From this lesson let us try and lighten the load.of those who have been left behind have to bear. Let us remember that the cross of sacrifice erected on the graveyards of France throws oy the aid of the sun the shadow of that cross on every grave, and upon that symbol may we find solace for those who remain behind to mourn the loss of the dead. UNSELFISH EFFORT. The memorials strewn in almost ivery town in our little country will itand for those who come after us as in eloquent testimony of onr desire :o perpetuate the recollection of unselfish effort for the common weal- I have said that wars are still pending and strife is rife in many lands, and I would add that just as unemployment and hunger produces crime, so greed the desire of aggrandisement, and covetousness produce wars. In an educated democracy the chance of conflict is less, but with countries peopled with millions who cannot even read and who see their loved ones starving and dying before their eyes, any chance of food and clothing 6eems alluring and enticing. Let us all try to better the condition of those who need assistance not by sporadic effort but by united action. Let us put out hate from our hearts and replace it with the will to aid, and with the changed consciousness of our' obligations will come a brighter day for all. May I conclude by saying:— Nature our Mother bore them in her

arms; They suckled knowledge at her friendly breast. Why should they heed the grave and its alarms? Is it not only part of her bequest? nest! Let them rest Once more in Nature’s heart. Of which Life, Love, and Death are hut a part. Mr Wilford then unveiled the memorial.