CALL TO YOUTH

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8834, 19 October 1942, Page 4

CALL TO YOUTH

THE POST-WAR WOBLDI

EMPIRE DAY MESSAGE WORK TO SAVE DEMOCRACY When the Earl of Meath founded Empire Day the institution was well described as “the outward sign of an inward awakening of the people who constitute the British Empire to the serious duties that lie at their door.’’ He had in mind the great heritage handed down to us by our fathers —a heritage of tremendous responsibility. It is well, therefore, that the observance of Empire Bay is maintained year by year in all British countries, giving ns it does opportunity to impress upon tho younger generation the greatness of their debt to British courage and toil in time gone by.

That this opportunity lias not been lost is evidenced by a remarkable message prepared and read at the recent Empire Day celebrations in Australia by Deirdre Poynter, aged 14, a pupil of the Grafton High School, New South Wales. It applies with equal force to tho youth of New Zealand.

“The other speakers have told youj of Australia in the prosent and tins new place she is assuming in affairs of to-day. But what of the future, antj the heritage of youth? * ■. * The mossage comes to by courtesy of a Thames lady, and rcadss—-

“I only speak to my companions, for the day of the older generation is passing, and soon it will be out turn to take the torch. If we realise, now, how important it is to prepare ourselves for the trust which, lies, ahead, the world of to-morrow will in-' deed be a better place. ' World-wide Co-operatiou “After 1914-18, men acclaimed the League of Nations as the hope of all countries, because it was founded on the idonl of world-wide co-operation. Now we know- that tho good intentions of many were frustrated by the greed, last for power, and ambition of a few. But the blame must not rest entirely upon their shoulders, for the peace of Versailles was aimed at breaking our enemies, and. left Germany bitter and resentful. Thus we sowed the seeds of another'war. And is it not written, ‘As ve sow, so shall ve reap’?

“We must resolve that the peace of this war is to be .just., and therefore, lasting. Shadow Of Tho Swastika, “To-day, because of broken promises, misunderstanding, dishonoured treaties, the curse of war has swept from nation to nation, and over Europe falls the shadow)of the svnstikn. . ( “The Empire is fighting with, its back to the wall, the brave Vilen who serve Australia by sea, land or ,air are dying so that our -heritage, the world of to-morrow, will sec the triumph of the rights of the individual. Like those courageous ones who have answered the call to duty, we must answer the call to youth and dare not fail it.

“Patriots, lovers of liberty,from all lands, and the men who miyle Australia, are with us on this, Empire Pay, that we may resolve- that the privileges they foughf .and toiled for—the privileges we«take for granted to-day —will bo ours forevor. Dawn Of Peace “To you, the younger generation of Australia, is given the love of all things just and free—the hatred, of aggression and brutality. Ours is the strength to march forward till they are destroyed, and all peoples and ranks are- gathered under one banner of the Prince of Peace. I give you the pledge that these things will come to pass, and that you will see the dawn of peace, with the promise of a freer, happier world.

“The cause of Democracy is the call to youth from the heralds of liberty and justice; it is a call to tlio children of all the world, for co-operation is the solution to the problem of postwar reconstruction.

“Our homeland is the youngest of the nations, but now hor voice commands respoct in the Allied Council. The heroic deeds of Anzacs have written a new epic on the pages of time. Afore and more, the eyes of the world arc turning towards the Pacific and Australia. Appeal To Youth “O, Youth, to whom I speak to-day, in a few short years to come Australia will bo yours. Now is the day of preparation. The importance of school life and study cannot be stressed too much,, so that as men and women of to-morrow we may be worthy to lead the great Democracy of the Southern Seas and build a new world.

“The call to the people of the Allied Nations in the hour of need is ‘Work and Fight.’ The call to youth is ‘Prepare.’ “We are Australians of a new generation; ours is the past, with its heritage of good and ill, the presont, with the opportunity that knows no bound, but the future is what we ourselves make of it. The world of tomorrow depends upon the youth of today, and -soon we -shall be called to the test. It lies within our power to fulfil the prophecy of Australia’s true greatness.

“The freo peoples of all nations are on tho march. I believe the tide of war will turn and that the star of peace will rise over a world rid of tho Axis menace.

“Now is the call to youth—prepare —work hard—play hard—we are the heirs to ages of long-cherished .freedoms, and to-morrow tho destiny of Australia, and the world, will be in our hands.” —“Thames Star.”