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Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1930, Page 4

Yesterday was an eventful date in world history. In particular, it marked the entry of Great Britain into what has come to be called the world war. But for the entrance of Britain and the part the Empire was able to play, the war would have had a very different ending to that experienced. Yet, most folk will agree that the war has been bad enough, in all conscience, in its effect. The war dragged on for so long that there .was in the aggregate an endriiious expenditure 'of 1 men, 'mon-

ey and munitions, and the great wastage has left the. world, in very straightened circumstances financially. The war called for the most complete organisation the world bps ever seen. So far as our Empire was concerned, there was national organisation of brains as well as men and money. Party politics went by the board, and the ordeal became so exacting that all effort had to be made not so much to- win the war, but to avoid defeat. Forces were so evenly divided that it became a war of attrition, the wearing down of our opponents. It was not possible for a long time to organise a sweeping victory—efforts were concentrated oh bolding the enemy at bay, while behind the lines, preparations were made for the final ofislaiighti lli that great task, Britain played the leading part, but the final effect lias been most exhausting. The nation has been loft with au enormous financial burden of debt, and is facing a tremendous dislocation of trade, Tho war period saw the old organisation thrown out of gear, and a new order has to he evolved. So many nations are involved, and so far-reaching has been the dire effects o-f tbe trial of strength, that other countries are no less in desperate straits, and the effect is an upsetting of world trading and commerce. Sixteen years ago, August was a period cf busy preparation anil expectation, but disillusionment soon came, and the tragic side of a great war began slowly to reveal itself. The period was a great endurance tost, but out of it all, Great Britain and tlie Empire merged with honor. As the years pass, the effect of the war is brought more and more to mind. The countries all have great liabilities to face, and all are doing their, best. The strain and stress' of the war is still claiming victims who are now breaking down. The nations’ obligations in. that matter are far from fully realised. Tlie anniversary reminds us of that and of the need and necessity to continue in the same courageous spirit to discharge the liabilities, and so build up again tbe financial fortunes of our Great- Empire which has served, as a bulwark for modern Europe. -