WAITOTARA’S COMMENDABLE EXAMPLE. –

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18248, 5 August 1921, Page 4

WAITOTARA’S COMMENDABLE EXAMPLE. -

Waitotara County has' set an example to Wanganui Borough. It has raised a worthy memorial in honour of its fallen heroes. On a site well suited to the purpose, it lias erected, a strong, silent, yee < loq-.ie.uHy impressive symbol of the people’s regard for the memory of the men who died that they might continue to live in full enjoyment of the splendid privileges of British citizenship. Noble in proportion and chaste in design, the quiet dignity of Waitotara’s memorial column will command for all time the respectful homage of all who pass that way, compelling remembrance of those “patriot sons we loved and yearned to save.” Not only will it remind our own and the coming generations of the price that was paid for Freedom’s sacred cause: it will, if the eyes that look upon it are not blind, inspire Britons of days to be. “to lofty sacrifice and glerious deeds.” Aye, it should do even more than that: it should teach us and our children and our children’s children to live for our country in the spirit in which our soldiers died for it. If it doos that, if within the sphere of its silent influ- , ence it helps to enkindle and keep alive the spirit of unselfish sacrifice and service, Waitotara’s monument will not have been raised in vain, and Waitotara’s sons, though dead, shall live on in the memory of an ever-grateful community. And some day, some not distant day, we hope, Wahganui will follow Waitotara’s ommenclable example.