THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, AUGUST 4, 1922. AFTER EIGHT YEARS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18624, 4 August 1922, Page 4

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY , AUGUST 4, 1922. AFTER EIGHT YEARS.

War anniversaries inevitably lose some of their significance as time passes off; and' the poignant memories of one of the most%momentous episodes in human history are touched by softening influences. Nevertheless, it is too early to begin to disregard the periodic reminders of crucial events which have left an indelible mark upon the whole of the civilised world and affected millions of lives for good br ill. There is strong exaltation as well as infinite pathos in the retrospect on this Fourth of August, the day on which, eight years ago, war was declared between Great Britain and Germany. If it is still unalterably sad to think of the long tale of loss and suffering and sorrow which that day inaugurated, there is glory and grace and gladness in the .remembrance of the wonderful rally of the Empire, engendering "the sense of an immense new comradeship which stirred the least emotional,” when “the British Commonwealth revealed itself as that wonderful thing for which its makers had striven and prayed—a union based not upon statute and officialdom, but upon the eternal simplicities of the human spirit.” Yes, -despite all the tragedy and sacrifice and bereavement, it is still good to think of those great-hearted days when “every young man with blood in his veins felt that in such a cause and in such a company it was just and pleasant to give his all.” And there should be a salutary stimulus in the ■recollection of those renewals of the solemn league and covenant of resolute service which gave a sacred import to the Fourth of August in four successive years.

It has been said that the outbreak of the wait was “a calamity which shattered the world’s complacency and enabled men to look into their hearts." Now that the ordeal has been over for nearly four years, perhaps the danger is lest a facile and enervating complacency should again be prevalent, and lest men should neglect the wholesome discipline of conscientious heart searching. The stern necessity of action and sacrifice, which confronted youth and manhood: eight years ago and afterwards, may not present itself again in like fashion, but the obligation of readiness for any emergency retains an abiding force. When the first British troops left England each man carried with him a message from Lord Kitchener, summing up the duties of the British soldier in war. In large measure they are also the duties of the British civilian in peace. He, too, if, he does not neglect the claims of humanity, has to “perform tasks needing courage, energy, and phtience.” He, too, has to remember that the honour of the British name depends on his individual conduct. “Your duty cannot be done unless you health *is sound. So keep constantly on your guard! against any'excesses. . . Do your duty bravely. Fear God.' Honour the King.” The illustrious man who penned that message gave his life for the good cause two years later, —the most conspicuous individual sacrifice of the war. He still speaks from his ocean-grave. Readiness, efficiency, moral valour, unselfishness, devotion to country and race and humanity, are as necessary to-day as in those strenuous years when the embattled hosts of allied) freemen saved civilisation from the menace of a monstrous tyranny.