Peace Commemoration.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7319, 12 June 1902, Page 2

Peace Commemoration.

The cards commoratnig peace were distributed at the local High School this morning, the Rev. C. C. Harper, Chairman of the High School Committee, and Air H. Haydon, Chairman of the Peace Commemoration Committee, handing over the mementos on behalf of the Committee.

The Rev. Mr Harper addressed the scholars, expressing pleasure at the termination of the war, which have been undertaken for the benefit of all the races of South Africa. The British uation had great power to uplift inferior races and to influence nations not so far advanced in knowledge. The boys arcl girls present, though only individuals in the nation, had a great part to play in this work. _Sot one of them could afford to be careless of the influence ihey exercised. and when the time came for them to shape the destinies ot this colouy, whether as citizens, electors, or politiciaus, he hoped they would have a stern sense of their duty Mr Haydon also spoke, pointing out .hut tho portrait ci Queen A'ictoria appeared on tho cards, which had been printed, while the great Queen was still alivo and before peaco had been declared. For tho girls especially, however, there could bs no more noble and worthy example to have before them. Mr liaydeu referred to tho great sufferiug white the war was in progress, and the sorrow and mourning for the thousands of ollicirs and men who had died. One of the grandest reasons for rejoicing was tliac all this suffering had now ceased, and that the war had ended with honor not only to the British Army, but also to the statesmen who had guided the Nation Mr Haydon also mentioned tho New Zealand Contingents and tho effect of the war iv welding the Ec_piro together. Ho concluded by pointing out that the Boers would in timo havo equal rights and freedom with the British inhabitants in South Africa.

Mr \V. Gray, Rector of the High School, said he wished to direct the scholars'attention to theilargo amount of time and money devoted by the nations of the world to tho maintenance of standing armies and fostering of tho spirit of militarism. Ho would ask them, " Wore these standing armies necessary." Ho would hail tho day when the nations met in conference to discuss tho question of universal disarmament. This might be looked on as a wild fanatical idea and the Czar's proposal in this connection had been looked on with suspicion, even by our own nation. Tno great sacrifice of lives and material however directed attention to the wiser problem —whether it would not be better to consider the practibility of disarmament. Ho trusted the day was not far distaut when this would be arrived at.

All the speakers were loudly applauded by the scholars, who sang a verse of the National Anthem and gavo hearty cheers for tho successful termination of the war. The cards wero then distributed.