PEACE SOUVENIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17614, 2 May 1919, Page 2

PEACE SOUVENIR

AN HISTORIC BOOKLET. It seems likely that one of the most appropriate and permanently valuable mementoes of the forthcoming peace celebrations will be the eomj.i-e.bensiye souvenir booklet t-liafc is now in course of preparation. The idea originated with Mr J teniae, of the Albany Street School, and the primary object in view is to place oopies of- the book m the hands of all school ohildren as a permanent reoord of the part our country and our Empire have played in tile tremendous struggle from which the world is jiist emerging. The "Souvenir cf the treat War aims at compressing within 32 art paper pages of a daintily illustrated booklet the salient features ofthe protracted fight for Liberty. The design of the cover combines the flags of the "Big Four" (Britain, France, Italy, and America), with those of Serbia, Belgium, Rumania, Portugal, and Japan. Ovex this triumphal assemblage of Allied national emblems is displayed a device to celebrate the immortal association of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps with the British divisions under the famous word "Anzac." In this device the Arms of the United are combined with those of New Zealand and Australia, . the lion and the unicorn supporting the conjunction. Through the triumphal axch appears the golden dawn of •? sra - upon wlli ch is blazoned the title Souvenir of the Great War." A New Zealand trooper and a British Jack Tar fla-nk the arch, completing a scheme cf colour and symbology of unusual attraction and beauty. The general arrangement of the booklet K 111 the capable hands of Mr R. Hawcndge. Both in its conception and execution the cover fWgr. above described is of- the very hichast artistic merit But Mr Hawcndge wields the pen as well as the brush, and with equal facility, and the military side of the Great War is written by him. Mr Chas Darling, whoso enthusiastic work in connection with the Navy League is so favourably known, has described the wonderful part the navy played in the great conflict. Both wrriers have been strongly imbued with the importance of having a conei«o history of the Great War put in the hands 01 the cimdren, and have given of their very best.

Already the publishers, Messrs Wilkie and Co., receiving- trumeroos inquiries, particularly from schools,: as to how the bewks may hest be procured. Attention is called to the recent action of the Taieri County Council, which undertook to supply all the 23 schools within its bounds, imd which is securing its order of 1000 at halfoost by taking advantage of the Government £ for £ subsidy for peace' celebrations. It is suggested that it will prove most satisfactory fir all concotaed 3 other local bodies will see to the distribution of &e booklet as part of the peace celebrations in the same way.