The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1913. SENTIMENT.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 249, 23 September 1913, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1913. SENTIMENT.

Without sentiment there would be no flavour in life at all. It is sentiment, or, in other words, a predilection determined by conception and feeling intermingled, that inspires man to better things and awakens a sense of responsibility to the moral duties and moral lies in the lives of all. From a sentimental aspect alone the member for Waikato is fully justified in urging upon the Government the question of the renovation of the graves of the soldiers who were killed during the Maori wars. It is plainly the duty of the State to act in furtherance of Mr Young’s representations in this matter,, as it is due to the heroism of these men — many of whom were pioneer settlers as well as soldiers — that the foundation of New Zealand’s prosperity was laid. To allow the graves of men who served their country so truly and so well to remain in their present sadly uncared for condition is evidence of shocking carelessness on the part of those who to-day find themselves so favoured as the result of the bravery of those men. It is also the' plain duty of State to erect permanent memorials to mark all historic battlefields throughout the Dominion. But in these matters Mr J. A. Young is not slow to urge upon Government the duties devolving upon it. In the immediate vicinity of Te Awamutu may be found ample evidence of the urgent need of some action being taken. The graves of the soldiers remain uncared for and shockingly neglected, whilst battlefields of great historic value are unmarked and unknown even to many of the residents. Mr Young has frequently urged that fitting memorials be erected —especially in the Southern Waikato districts. His action is commendable, and will be supported by everyone. It is to be hoped that State action will soon be taken, and that permanent memorials will mark those spots of historic value, which we, the more fortunate dwellers of to-day have just cause to remember and respect.