THE QUEEN CARNIVAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 124, 29 May 1941, Page 4

THE QUEEN CARNIVAL

'J’HE Queen Carnival, which has for its aim the raising of £9OOO or more in the ’Wanganui district, was launched upon its life of six wee’j by a happy gathering at Foster’s Hotel yesterday afternoon. The audience by one good sign showed that it was aliveit could sing, and it did sing the National Anthem in a way which is seldom heard. In that assembly were men and women whose hearts were heavy because of the sad news which was still ringing in their ears and torturing their minds. But their hurt was kept from view, they smiled the smile of determined people, a people whose conduct in the last war caused the American aviator commander Bert Hall to describe the civilian men and women of Britain as “'the finest troops in the. world.'’ Though death may claim his victims in the field, though sons may lie wounded in distant lands, though internment camps may hold our loved ones, “the finest troops in the world” in New Zealand are determined that they shall not fail those who go forth to brave the battle and the breeze. This quiet determination which the Germans rightly assess as the whole spirit of the history of the English people, cannot lie bargained with and cannot be compromised. It was this quiet, determination which made itself at onee apparent yesterday in the organisation of the initial effort of the Queen Carnival. Thoroughness was in evidence in every direction in the reception arrangements, in the presentation of the Queen candidales and their escorts, in the musical contributions, in the catering and in the general helpfulness of everyone present. The community spirit has been successfully rallied. It was always there: all that was needed was the occasion to bring it into a proper channel. The. Queen Carnival Commit tec has achieved this on the opening day. It. augurs well for the effort, lint the end is the raising of £9(i(H), ami that can only lie achieved by all going forward in strength to do the task which lies immediately in hand. Bet the. injunction go forth to all and everyone: Stretch forth thy hand to the task which is before thee.