A CALL TO YOUTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26040, 2 January 1946, Page 6

A CALL TO YOUTH

THE RETURN OF PEACE DAYS OF ADVENTURE AHEAD GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S , MESSAGE His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Sir Cyril Newall, broadcast the following New Year message from station IYA, Auckland, on Monday night:— “In a few hours' time the most momentous, year in our civilisation will have come to an end. Since I spoke to you a year ago triumphs in battle have followed closely one upon another, culminating in the final defeat of our enemies and release from the perils and suspense of six long years of war. Because our spirit and determination have never faltered it may be difficult for some to' realise fully how serious were the dangers through which we have passed and how near we have been to defeat and enslavement. It is fitting, therefore, that we should at this time remember with pride and gratitude the debt

which we all owe to the men and women of the fighting services and merchant navies of the Empire and of our Allies. “Most of our men and women are now home again, but there are many still serving overseas who have yet to be happily reunited with their families. Clearly, the resettlement within the community of all those who have so magnificently served their country and Empire, together with their readjustment to unaccustomed conditions, must be one of our main tasks. Let us be careful to give them not only the necessary material things, but also sympathetic understanding and encourage them to use their experience and skill for the benefit o' the community. Plight of Other Countries “ We rejoice that our enemies, who would have enslaved 'us and taken from us all that we prize most, are vanquished. Although the war is ended, many problems of its inevitable and painful aftermath have yet to be solved before the true fruits of. peace can be made available to all the peoples of the world. We in this much-favoured land of abundance have been spared the ravages of war. Our cities are undamaged; our fields are unscarred. There is, therefore, much that we can do to ease the sufferings in those countries where war has left a frightful trail of devastation and famine. “The difficulties and responsibilities which confront the statesmen and leaders of to-day are both great and grave, and one may wonder sometimes whether the cause for which we have willingly paid so high a price is not already in danger of being forgotten. I personally cannot agree with the wailings of the Jeremiahs. The path of progress will certainly not be smooth, but I am confident that Christian civilisation will advance if we all show ourselves worthy to survive. “ Throughout the years of bitter warfare we have unflinchingly met situations so grave and difficulties so prodigious that the chances of success seemed almost impossible, and yet we succeeded. We triumphed by the help of God and because of the justice of our cause. We achieved victory because the peoples of the United Nations toiled in harmony and helped each other to overcome obstacles in the face of a common danger. The difficulties which challenge the world to-day are also a common danger. If all the nations will remember the main reasons for our victory in war and approach the present problems with equal zeal in a spirit of mutual confidence, unselfishness, and tolerance, both national and international, we can be sure of victory in peace. The Torch of Progress

For the younger generation I have a special message. It is for you henceforth to take up the torch of progress. In your country you inherit the courage and devotion of the God-fearing pioneers in this land and that firmest foundation for stable progress—tradition. New Zealand lias won high esteem in many fields throughout the world during the past six years. You can say with pride and in all humility that your elders have earned a place of fame in history and will be remembered as a generation which played its part nobly m saving our civilisation.

“Let it be constantly remembered that you are heirs to partnership in a commonwealth of nations and an Empire whose contribution to the wellbeing of mankind is second to none. In the daikest days of the war the British Empire stood alone, defending the freedom of the whole world, and it still stands as a unique example of what can be achieved by unity of purpose amongst the free and independent peoples scattered over the face of the globe. “Let these thoughts inspire and guide you in the days of great adventure which lie ahead. Honour your fathers and your mothers, help your fellow-men, serve your King and country. You will then live the present worthily with lasting happiness, and face the future with confidence. “To the aged and infirm, to the children, to all returned men and women of the services, and to those still overseas, to all the King’s loyal subjects in this beautiful Dominion, its island territbries, and Western Samoa, I take this opportunity on behalf of Lady Newall and myself of wishing you all happiness in the coming year, the first year of peace. We thank you sincerely for many acts of kindness, courtesy, and hospitality which we have greatly appreciated and will long remember. And now, as the first light of New Year approaches New Zealand and the British Empire, let us once again fervently thank Almighty God that we as a people and our way of life have been permitted to survive.”