HONOUR OUR DEAD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32423, 26 April 1944, Page 5

HONOUR OUR DEAD

REASON FOR ANZAC DAY MAJOR S. HEDGE’S ADDRESS SACRIFICES FOR COUNTRY ‘‘Many who have spoken before on these occasions have commended the authors of the law which has set aside this special day whereby a short oration may be delivered to the honour of those who have sacrificed their lives in fighting for their country. I think it can be agreed that whilst that date marlcs the occasion of one of the epic ventures in the annals of New Zealand fighting history the day as now observed has broadened to include the names of all who have fallen in the service of their country during past wars and the present conflict,” said Major S. J. 'Hedge, speaking at the Anzac Day service held in Paeroa on Tuesday. “For my part I think it fitting for men who have proved their virtue in action, 'by action to be honoured for it as is evidenced to-day of the public gratitude now present at this assembly,” continued the speaker. “ It ill behoves that the virtues of many may be endangered by the management of one speaker when their credit must precariously depend upon his oration which may be good and may be bad. Virtue Of Those Who Fell “There, will be some of my hearers V enlightened by a long acquaintance and warm’in their affection who may quickly pronounce everything unfavourably expressed in respect to what they wish and what they know, whilst others will pronounce all exaggerated through envy of the deeds which they are conscious are above their own achievement. “In order therefore to avoid being endured by some of my audience and what I may have to say condemned by others as being exaggerated and false I shall confine my remarks chiefly to that virtue possessed by all for whom we mourn to-day and which prompted their action in defending the duties and privileges involved in that greatest of civic virtue and most important element of national character which we call “patriotism.” What Is This Patriotism “What is this ‘Patriotism’? this almost universal instinct for which more men have given their lives than for any other cause, and which counts more martyrs than even religion itself —this potent sentiment which has .produced so great and splendid deeds of heroic bravery and unselfish devotion —which has inspired art, stimulated literature and furthered science, which has fostered liberty and won independence and advanced' civilisation.

."The dictionary tells us that a patriot is ‘one whose ruling passion is the love of his country.” With the short time at my disposal a review of the whole subject is not possible, but it may be said that the sentiment has grown and widened with the advance of civilisation and the progress of liberty, being more powerful than ever and strongest in democratic countries.

"It involves duties as well as privileges and these duties vie in connection with the domestic relation ,of the citizen to his country as well as ’n all that concerns the attitude of the country towards foreign countries. "In both these cases the idea of patriotism involves that of personal sacrifice. Maintaining Freedom "It is, however, in our internal relations that natural patriotism has

its gi’eatest opportunities and its greatest dangers. The primary object of every country must be to defend its freedom and independence and to make such preparations as are necessary for its security. But unless it is prepared to go somewhat further than this end to maintain its selfrespect and safeguard its honour it will inevitably incur the contempt of its enemies and lose the affection of its children.

“In fulfilling this natural mission which hasi called for the display of all the virtues of patriotism we turn to the valour of those whom we specially wish to remember and whose gallant deeds we recognise and celebrate to-day. “Their bravery in carrying out those ideals of patriotism with which they were imbued caused them to sacrifice theii* lives in order that we might continue to live in the comforts and delights of a peaceful life to which we were accustomed. Depth of Courage “As for us who now survive them, it is our business to be humble and to preserve the same .spirit and depth of courage against our enemies, ever remembering. the advantages we now possess were acquired by brave and valiant men and women who knew th’eir duty and whenever their attempts were unsuccessful thought it dishonour that their country should stand in need of anything their valour could do for it and so made the most glorious sacrifice of all by giving their lives for- it. “For those who K are left to mourn, parents, wives, sweethearts, brothers and sisters, whoever of them may be attending here I offer my sympathy and comfort. I know it is a difficult task to find comfort in those breasts which still retain remembrances, in seeing the happiness of others, of which they once themselves enjoyed, for sorrow flows not from the absence of those good things we have never yet experienced, but from the loss of those to which we have been accustomed.

“In conclusion may I say that wherever the greatest rewards are proposed for virtue then the best of patriots are ever to be found.

“Now let everyone respectively indulge in becoming grief for our departed friends during the one minute’s silence between the sounding of the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ at the close of this ceremony,” concluded Major Hedge.