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Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1918, Page 2

A writer has said that, history will not count the present waste of war as n loss. The world will .have so gained in humaneness, in efficiency, in the realisation of community power that the children to come shall inherit stars, not scars. This is n very fine thought, but its realisation rests upon the people themselves. All things are now in the melting pot—life and chattels were never before so cheap, nor principles so dear; but will those who come after realise the depth and breadth of all the sacrifice and value the return it will produce accordingly? Indeed, it j>eneo were to fall upon the world now, would its people realise the true measure of happiness it should bring in its train? Though some people have been in the valley of the shadow for nearly four years, and others have been deep in misery and despair, that the world might be ransomed; and though nations have poured’ out their wealth in blood and money, civilisation a.s a whole is perhaps not in the frame of mind to garner the harvest, of good tilings which these, supremo sacrifices are bringing to pass. A spirit, ot subjection must control the victor in the fray, if the true fruits of victory will be relished. The war has called for such exacting exertion in all walks of life, that the burden could hardly have been put upon the- people except for some well designed purpose. To what purpose, then, will the victory be put? That will become the great international question. The British Empire is still grappling with unsolved political questions which shows that the throes of war fiave failed as yet bring the people to realise their jeopardy. The war will fall short of its i’ lent purpose, we venture to believe, it i' does not instill into the people, that measure of subjection to law, and authority and right living which is the cardinal condition of true citizenship.