TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays MONDAY, 10th JUNE, 1946 WAR MEMORIAL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 72, Issue 6240, 10 June 1946, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays MONDAY, 10th JUNE, 1946 WAR MEMORIAL

NOTHING has yet been dene in Te Awamutp to assure the provision of a district memorial worthy of a supreme occasion. The Victory march in London serves as a reminder that the time is at hand when something ought to be done. In the shining pages of history some events stand out above all others, and never were deeds more worthy of permanent commemoration than the heroism and gallantry, the sacrifice and privation which preserved human liberty after six years of death-grapple with the forces of European and Asiatic despotism. In this day and generation it is all so vivid and clear, having so closely touched all phases of the life we know; but for the future generations there can well be a symbol of remembrance and respect and «f thankfulness in achievement. The Government long ago offered co-oper-ation and help to the voluntary effort of the citizen, and invited co-opera-tion in what can now be a worthy endeavour. But as yet none of our public or private administrative organisations has offered leadership to the people, and time time —and opportunity are passing. By way of suggestion the Government has indicated its willingness to encourage community centres as a worthy form of memorial, and it could surely be that a place of assembly could be also a place for remembrance and reunion, for it is the one outstanding lesson of the war years that nations and people found that it was really possible to assemble on common ground and on common terms. Gone entirely in the days of trial were the sectional barriers that grouped and divided the people; even racial differences were forgotten in the great campaign which built up a world fellowship in the United Nations. The community centre can well be made emblematical of that great spiritual and social blending which had its universal expression in time of war and which is the supreme of human attainments to hold secure the days of peace. A place of assembly can be a place where closer understandings are assured, a place of remembrance and a place of fellowship. But what are we doing and what are we going to do ? Allowing that at this moment the pressing need is to marshal all the available resources to rehabilitate ex-servicemen in homes and enterprises, it does pot preclude the opportunity or the need to engage in planning and financing so that the | memorial may be established when j the time is opportune; and, inevit- I ably, that day will come. But will | we be ready ? Will this district—a • weathy district—a district which gave so much in the supreme endeavour I and which has now so much to com- ' memorate and hold in reverence—will I this district have its place in the j national nfemorials which will mean I so much in the years to come ? It I awaits the leadership to shape and direct the district’s effort so that the public desire may have its final and absolute expression in a memorial worthy of the district and commemorating for all time what must never be allowed to pass unheeded.