"THE FUTURE IS YOURS"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 99, 21 August 1945, Page 5

"THE FUTURE IS YOURS"

MAYOR'S TELLING SPEECH

MEMORABLE CHILDREN'S DAY

The second day of the local peace celebrations was by common consent devoted to the chiland! in Whakatane town land' country children took part in a combined sports meeting in the Domain. The most memorable feature of a memorable day was however the telling speech of His Worship the Mayor ? Mr B. S. Barry, "who addressed Ihe children from, the band rotunda. Mr Barry struck just the correct note and "the effect of his* wofdis could be guaged by the unusual attention with which the 700 listened to his remarks throughout.

"Boys and said His Worship "we are bore to celebrate the return of peace to a war-stricken world. Many ol' you I expect do not remember the,outbreak of war, and -all you can recall is war and conditions of war. So today you are looking forward ta celebrate your first day of and that is why the first day following the declaration has taken the shape of a 'Chil--drens' Day.' " Mr Barry went on to trace the -war from the time of the German invasion of Poland when Great Britain and France honoured their promise and declared Avar on Germany. .He emphasised that the declaration •did not bind the Dominions which were self-governing States, but so strong were the ties of that it wasn't long before every one of .them were standing by Britain's side. The war which then took place was destined to drag on for nearly .six weary and brought the Empire very near to the verge of disaster. In the first fateful years our armies were withdrawn irom Norway France Greece and Crete j and were rolled back in North Africa. France surrendered, and Great Britain stood definitely alone. The •great bulk of the people 'of America were opposed to the. war and it was during those dark days that the .greatest acts of epic heroism Avere enacted. Mr Barry sketched briefly the miracle of the Dunkirk evacuation and the Battle of Britain ? fought out in the skies by a band of gallant young From then on the tide reeHied to turn. Hitler declared Avar on Russia and the poAverful Russian armies were on our side. The. battle for Egypt took on better shape j bul the greatest event was the treacherous attack by the Japanese upor Pearl which brought the active participation of the Unitec States of America as an ally. Ir .spite of these things the tale ul' de feat was not entirely over. Th( Japanese drove us out of the Malaj States, captured Hong kong and rolled down to the A'erj .doors of Australia and NeAV Zealand "Very few of he "took the time to realise just how close the Japanese armies were to the shores of New Zealand and we must never forget

the gallant part played by our .American Allies in assisting to •turn the tide." After two years of war with Japan the Allied forces then proccded to march from victory to victory until at last when the soldiers from Great Britain had won the battle of the continent Germany surrendered. Now came the defeat of the Japanese. Mr Barry paid tribute to the leadership of Mr the great Englishman who typified everything which was considered British— determination and an utter refusal to admit defeat. The Empire had been saved and peace had come again. He hoped it would remain for years to come. The Empire stood for good. It, was a forcc for freedom and freemen. That was what we had fought for. Others coukl not understand its. and frequently the German General 71ommel had as'Ued our men why they had come from so far way to fight England's battles. They could not undestand why Ave had been interested enough to go all that way to fight for what we thought was right. Within a little,over twenty years there had been two world wars.. It had been hoped that the 1911-18

war would have been the last. Now we were at peace again. The future lay before us. It lay in the hands of the boys and girls who would be the men and women of tomorrow. In their hands lay the future welfare of the world. The Empire had (ought for democracy the right of people to govern themselves as they thought fit. That, was the spirit which was entrusted to the new generation and the responsibility rested with each and every one. It was not necessary to be a member of the Borough Council or an M.P. o ? to carry weight. It was; easy to criticise and sit back. What was now the responsibility of everybody was to be constructive to do their * share and to carry out their duty not only to the community in which they lived but to the world at large. If this were carried out then the great sacrifices, made in the war ; will not have been made in vain. Mr John lliini spoke in the native > tongue for the benefit, of the large i Maori section. He referred specific ally to tbe glorious deeds of the ; Maori and mentioned the t heroic exploits of Lieutenant Ngar i imu the first Maori V*C.