The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1927. TO-DAY’S ANNIVERSARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 1927. TO-DAY’S ANNIVERSARY.

August 4th. is an eventful reminder in the history of the British Empire. It is the anniversary of Great Britain’s entry in the Great War in. 1914. At that time the war was not considered “great” in any sense of the word, and the world at largo looked upon the event rather light-heartedly. 3lost of the lielligercnis entered the fray very much in that mood. Thirteen years ago the popular songs of the music halls were on the lips of the moving troops, and a. spirit- of bravado seemed to fill the air. The war, however, was a prolonged one, and taught many lessons, sclme of which, however, are not taken to heart even after this lapse of time. The war by its duration and test called for a great feat of arms on the part of all concerned. The war had no common centre. It developed in the seven seas and in all parts of the earth. It was an all embracing war, and the British Empire, as we know, was knee deep in the conflict at every point. Great Britain had to perform a great service for herself and her allies alike. The experience of those days is a reminder nowadays of the tower of strength the British Navy was in securing all parts of the far-flung Empire. in assuring the safe transport of troops, and in securing food supplies and necessary commodities for the life of the nation. The necessity for a Navy of strength—able to move quickly and effectively—was amply demonstrated, and there can l>e only one conclusion as far as limitation of the navies is concerned to-day. that Great. Britain’s responsible leaders at this moment however anxious they may be at Geneva to end the Conference successively, cannot afford to -limit the

strength of the British Navy so that in the sudden hoar of emergency it would be unable to police the seven sou.-, clivclivoly. Wo saw but recently in Chinese waters the myral effect ol Britain’s prompt and effective action in affording security to the foreign elements in jeopardy, when other navies (America in particular) held aloof. There is no doubt whatever that the action of Great Britain was responsible for the saving of numerous lives of foreigners in China, and for that effective work the British Navy served its purpose admirably. And wc must think i.f the remote position of the many British dependencies also. New Zealand is in that category. Wo know that at the outset of the Great War the naval force was not adequate for the sudden emergency. In the> capture of German Samoa, New Zealand took •considerable risk, while tor the transport of the contingents later, a call hf.d to lie made on the Japanese allies to i envoy the transports. '1 hesc experiences give point to tho necessity for a. numerically strong Navy, for experience has taught, also, that the occasion for its practical need may arise suddenly. Harking hack to the (Treil War. we ran recall with pride how readily and effectively the overseas countries resp aided. There is today a chain of monuments round the theatres of the war testifying to the service and sacrifice of Britain’s oversea forces. Those were times when the claims to nationhood were fully justified, and the task to-day is to continue building up our material stren,gLh and so constitute ourselves of real value to the Empire. New Zealand is fortunately placed in many respects, and the future of the country is largely in the hands of the people themselves. A great foundation lias been laid, and the impulse of the people should he even as it was in 1911. to stand shoulder to shoulder in times of emergency and difficulty, and by so-doing the future will he assured and a greater heritage will accrue to our count if.