ARMISTICE DAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18112, 12 November 1928, Page 2

ARMISTICE DAY.

CELEBRATIONS IN TIMARU. OBSERVANCE IN THE CHURCHES. Yesterday, the tenth anniversary .of the signing of the Armistice wnich ended the Great War, was celebrated with fitting solemnity throughout the Dominion, as well as’in other parts of the British Empire and in tho United States and other countries of the Allied Nations: The tolling of the fire and church bolls in 'Timaru brought hack memories of tho day ten years ago, when tho guns of war along the Allied Front ceased booming then - messages of death and devastation, and, a great and joyous peace gave a rest front turmoil to the greatest nations of the earth. The bells were a memory of those to whom war had given, eternal rest, to those who are sleeping ’neath the poppies of Flanders fields, on the rugged slopes ot Gallipoli, and indeed the wond over. In all the churches of Timaru the two minutes’ silence was reverently, kept. Promptly on the stroke of eleven, tlie bells began to toll —the two minutes slienee had begun —two minutes of time and an eternity of memories. There was no sound from the large congregations bowed in silent prayer. There were not a great many people in the streets, but most of those who - were about, reverently kept the silence. MILITARY PARADE. “Great Little Army” was one of tho tunes plaj-ed b ytiie Alunicipai Band as it lead the military parade which left

the Drill Shed at about 10.30. This tune was the marching anthem of the great British Army mat fought and won battles, from the mud flats of Flanders to the hot sands of Syria, and it was well remembered by returned men in Timaru. . The parade marched down Stafford Street -and up Church Street,to St,.Alary's.Cliurch, where the majority of tho military’attended. The Sixth Cadet Battalion inarched ahead to Bank Street Methodist Church, and the Second Cadet Battalion (Boys’ High School), wefo present at Chalmers Presbyterian Church. The parade was in command of Major S. D. Mason, with Captain D. H. Donaldson, N.Z.S.C., Lieut. li..A Clements, N.Z.P.S., and Staff-Ser-geants W. Andrew and H. H. McDonald, N.Z.P.S. Unattached officers who paraded were—Major W. T odon, Captain J. E. S. Jackson, and Captain A. A. Pennefather. The parade state was as follows: —Timaru Municipal Band, Lieut. W. H. Osborne and 27 other ranks; O. Squadron 0.Y.U., Captain G. Sheldon find 17 other ranks 5 Timaru Pipe Band, Drum-Major O. Do Joux and 11 other ranks; C. Company Ist Battalion Canterbury Regiment and Machine Gun Sections, Lieut. D. Malcolm and Second-Lieuts. G. R. Lee, F. E. Wilks and B. W. Baxter andlsß other rai\ks ; Band of Sixth, Cadet Battalion, Mr George Booth and 25 bandsmen ; B Company 84 ranks and U Oom- : pany 73 ranks; Second Cadet Battalion (Boys’ High School) Captain O. A. Hind M. 0., and- Lieuts. M. F. Ledmgham, H. B. McClatehy, T. H Mc- ' Donald, T. K. ,R. Wlntehouse, R. G. Wilson and Seed,udtLieuts. S. Mills and 360 other ranks. A total of 20 officers and 782 ..other - ranks paraded. AT ST. MARY’S. At all the churches, sermons appropriate to the occasion were delivered and large congregations assembled to - give thanks for peace and also to nonour the memory of the valiant dead. The Rev. H: W. Monaghan was the preacher at St. Mary’s Church, where there was not sufficient room to seat all who sought admission. Special hymns were sung, while the service closed with the rendering of the “Hallelujah Chorus” by the organist, Mr A. W. V. Mr Monaghan took as his text the 2nd chapter of Luke, verse 14 “Glorj to God- in the Highest, and on earth

peace, goodwill toward men. He •said that while the people of New Zealand saw fit to remember April 25 eaoli year as Anzac Day, so, did the people of the Homeland consider that it was fitting that Armistice Day should bo kbpt' and as long as they belonged to the British nation, they would see that such a day of remembrance was given a place, in their national life. He thought it very fine that the beautiful service which they were holding in Timaru that day shouldbe of ft similar nature to the one which was to bo held in London'at the church at St. Martin’s-m----the-fTelds, when the memories of the years of grief and pain would not fail to come back to so many. The memory was perhaps associated with a note of triumph, and although it was sad and bitter to some Mearts, it filled them all with joy and triumph at the thought or suclr -an exhibition of wonderful heroism which ended in ultimate victory.- The other note that was struck that day was the utter savagely and futility of war. Ten years ago a wave of excitement swept over the wor.d ohurch bells rang out and whistles blew —people gathered in great crowds to listen to impromptu addresses, and a great shout wont up from the eartll because peace and victory had come.

And behind that all, was an echo in mi tens of thousands of hearts for whom war would never end. The after en pets of the struggle between the civilised nations were great. In this country the war was followed by that awful plague known as the influenza epidemic, which in four weeks took a greater toll of life in Now Zealand than the war had taken in four years. All, Monaghan said that during the tnno the war*was in progress ho was inclined to believe that the people <hd not appreciate so much the service that war called forth. Those at home used to read in the newspapers, whicn did not always tell them the true facts of the deeds that were being done, but) because those deeds were being performed by men with whom they had walked around the streets, they did not quite appreciate it all. Hut, as t* lo years went by and Armistice Day was kept, thoy realised the great sacrifice and devotion of the men who fought and died in the interests of humanity. It was the one great momory that the war had left. Some would remember tho loss of dear ones, and millions, w ere saying:—“AVas the war worth it? Has anything good come of it?” He would say that there was in that it loft behind great traditions, which they should be* proud to uphold. For four years impious of the earth had supplied the pick of their manhood and millions in wealth. Someone w-ould expect something from that surely? But no, said Mr Monaghan, some countries had been bled white by it- —France had had her revenge, but at what price? Her fields had been turned into graveyards, and her buildings devastated. What had England got —increased taxation. There was honour and glory associated with war, bub in every corner of the British

nation, women would still weep and mourn the irreparable loss of members of their family. “Have you ever contemplated the utter futility of war?,” | tho speaker asked. “The war has re- j vealed an age most humane and cul- , tured to-be really shallow.” Ho quotedan excerpt from a recent book by Mr j Winston Churchill, in which that ! statesman pointed out most forcibly j tho serious after effects of war to any j country. The war, said Mr Monaghan ; had discredited western civilisation in j the eyes of the people of the East. For I many years the fears of a Yellow Peril ! had been felt, and many opinions had ; been passed that the Asiatics _ would j never rule. They u’ere discredit'd by ; those people, however, and tho Indian 1 leader, Ghandi, had led that lino of thought throughout that country. , There was still a groat danger of the j Yellow Peril. ! Air Monaghan went on to speak of : tho effect the War had had on the ris- J

ing generation, stating that the young people to-day had an entirely, different attitude towards life than their fathers. This was demonstrated in their dress and behaviour, and the fact that they believed what they liked. “Some don’t know why they do it, but if asked lor a leason they could say: ‘you made a mess of life—why should we pay any reverence to our fathers when they are so shallow and hypocritic? We have cur own ideas about life, and we’re going to make a better job of life than you did’—of course that had yet to be proved,” said Mr Monaghan. They had heard a great, deal about the Kellogg Peace Pact and tho work of the League of Nations, but he was sure that they would take a great deal more interest in tho affairs of that League if they were assured that the League was a power to prevent war. The League of Nations at present was not. a safeguard against war. If nations quarrelled, as they had done before, the League’s efforts to prevent war would be like a rope of sand. “The only time we can hope for any security against war is when the League of Nations is the conservator of the democracy of the earth,” he said. Tile people were the ones who could ensure peace. Communistic leaders had schemes of bringing about a peace internationale, but in the speaker’s opinion, their hope for peace lay in tho Gospel—Christianity could break down tho barriers between

nations. It might be said that religion had not prevented the last war, but had any nation yet appeared as a really Christian nation, although there were many Christian people in it? Jesn Christ had accepted crucifixion before ho would incite his followers to fight, and it remained for a nation to “turn the cheek” and say they would not fight. The people of the world should accept the teaching of Jesus Christ, and then war would be no more. SACRED HEART CHURCH. The day’s solemnity was fittingly'celebrated at the Sacred Heart Church. The early masses were thronged, upwards of 1300 people receiving Holy Communion. The special commemmoi'ative sorvice was reserved for the Mass at 10.30, to coincide with the Empire’s tribute to the gallant dead. Father Spillane oeoupied the pulpit. Referring in touching terms to those a lio had made the supreme sacrifice, the preacher said that the fallen had by their heroism made vivid the words of scripture that “Love is strong as death.” Love —tho true foundation and inspiration of loyalty—was grandly manifested throughout the years ot ivarts sorrows .and millions looked on in prayerful admiration as tho millions tell on the field of valour. In their grief they applauded the spirit of devotion, that was the greatest that man could witness —“Greater love than this, no man hath that a man lay down his

life for his friends.’.’ . . At 11, at tho call of the misstoner, 1 the bells pealed out the traditional prayer of the Churcli, heard for the first time’ from a Timaru belfry in their plaintive appeal. Their message ascending to high Heaven was a plea for ' mercy. “Spare, O Lord, spare Thy ■ people.” . . „ . Taking up the spirit of their prayer, • Father Spillane recited the prayers for i the dead, and earnestly prayed that m a lasting peace the world might enjoy ■ the fruits of victory. The Mass just- ■ offered by their pastor, Rev. Father Peoples, was, lie said, m wonderful i harmony with the solemn occasion. In i the Gloria was the prayer for peace and unity. Before the sacred moment ot - Consecration, the r living were remembered, and their intentions recom- • mended to God. After the Consecra- . tion, the priest prayed eternal rest for i the faithful departed Immediate!;* ■ before the great sacrifice ended, the Christ of the Mass, addressed as the Lamb of God, was appealed to as.the - redeemer of men, to grant to all, the blessing of peace. . ~ Miss M Martin was in charge of the •chimes,'and Mrs N. D, Mangos was at the organ. . ■ . . , , The Dead March, impressively played bv the organist, concluded a solemnity that was deeply affecting in its simplicity and sincerity

MESSAGE FROM EARL JELUCOE. By Teleirrnph—Press issoeifttion. WELLINGTON, Nov. 10. , The New Zealand Returned Soldiers Association received the following greeting from Earl Jcllicoc: “The thoughts of all in the Empire on this tenth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, will turn with gratitude to the men 10 brought victory to our arms m the Great War, and perhaps most of an to those who gave their lives m achieving victory, but all will, 1 hope, dwell upon one of the. reasons which brought*-about that victory ? und

the same time demonstrated to the world the unity of the British Empire. Who can forget the magnificent response made by 'tho whole Empire to the call to arms? From all parts of. the world men came— Britains’ sons and the descendants of Britain’s sons to help tho Mothei Country in her strugg’e to protect the weak and uphold the sanctity ot a signed agreement. It is with this thought in my mind that I send warm greetings to the New' Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, in the belief that in the British Empire ■ Service Leiwiw, wo have an organisation that will foster the spirit of brotherhood which was so strongly evident in 1914.”

EMPIRE SERVICE LEAGUE. EMBLEM OF REMEMBRANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 11. “To-day, on behalf of the people ol New Zeaiand, I accept this emblem oi remembrance. I sincerely hope the memories it recalls will be. kept so green that never again will it be the lot of nations to come into conflict, with the resultant loss and wastage. In these foregoing words, the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J. G. Contest received at the steps of Parliament House to-dnv a wreath forwarded to Now Zeeland tlir'"»,gh the land Returned Soldiers’ Association by

the British. Empire Service The handing over ceremony was simple, brief and impressive. Following the morning service at the Rnlvntion Army Citadel, the parade of returned soldiers, headed by the Citadel Band, marched to the Parliamentary grounds, where a. fairly large number of people assembled. Speaking on behalf of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association Mr W. Perry explained that tfie ’ wreath had been forwarded in accord-; i anno with the wish of the late Ear I Haig, that a wreath be r>'—• 1 ! national war memorials in each of. tho ! capital cities of Hie I‘finp ie .. j Armistice Day. As there -Was yet iw ! national war memorial in .Wellington •it had been decided to hand the j r mbl.ein over to the Prime Minister al ; the steps to Parliament House. “Tt '.is witli a deep sense of dut’ I that I accept this tribute to our l honoured dead,” . said the Prime ! Minister. “In the meantime, it shall IR e in Parliament House, representin'* 1 the bead of orr constitution in Now Zealand. Later, when the nat’iona 1 , war memorial is erected, the wreath I shall have its place annually, I hope ! tho foot of that memorial. Tt will ' bo in safe keeping until such time nr | it is taken to another resting place.”