The Waikato Independent Incorporating "The Cambridge Gazette." SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1923. CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIII, Issue 3148, 8 December 1923, Page 4

The Waikato Independent Incorporating "The Cambridge Gazette." SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1923. CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL.

Five years have rolled away since the Great War was brought to an end, and Time, the great healer, has brought its soothing influence to bear on thousands of aching hearts that mourned for loved ones lost, or the blighted earthly prospects caused by the ruthless and devastating hand of war. Many seem to act as though the "War never had occurred. The same old evils are apparent on every side—grood and despotism are rampant, selfishness and intolerance abound, the poor are ground down, the power of might continues to flaunt its gauntlcted hand in the face of weaker countries and peoples, intrigue and doubtful practices continue in high places, sordid conditions remain the lot of thousands of people in professing Christian countries, and there are those who say the world is the same and as bad as ever, and the war has been in vain. This is, of course, a fallacy. Nothing can ever be exactly the same after the tragic period of war, and we are not true to our professed convictions as a Christian people if we believe these noble sacrifices have been in vain. In practically every centre of the British Empire some memorial has been erected to commemorate the Great War, and the Cambridge District's Memorial is to be formally unveiled on Tuesday next, I.lth inst. There are differences of opinion about the form the memorial has taken—it is impossible to please everyone—but all will agree that it is a very fine one indeed, worthy of the district, and of the great event it commemorates. It will be an everlasting monument to the sup-, reme sacrifice made by those gallant lads of ours who went willingly from their peaceful homes across the world to further the cause of righteousness, ' truth, and freedom, and as long as the memorial remains it will speak eloquently to all beholders of the Cambridge district representatives' faithfulness to the highest traditions of the British Empire. Its silent appeal will be a potent one throughout the future , ages, for, though a few would have us' believe there is little in these things, events are continually proving that sentiment is one of the greatest influ-. ences of our lives. Tuesday next should be a great day in the history of this district. The War Memorial Committee has gone to a tremendous amount of trouble to arrange a ceremony that is in keeping with this great occasion. The Governor-General will perform the unveiling ceremony, which promises to be a most impressive and beautiful one. We appeal to the citizens of Cambridge and residents of the entire district to make it a point of duty to their country, and to their better selves, to attend the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday, and assist in making it a worthv one that will remain in the memorv of all. The soldiers' memorial window in St. Andrew's Church will also he unveiled by his Excellency on Tue«dav afternoon.