THE OTAKI MAIL. Published, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 23 July 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Peace With Victory. After four years of horrible war, b which millions have paid the suprem sacrifice, followed by many wear months of negotiations succeeding th armistice, Peace has once again sprea< her dove-like wings over the world, an< the whole cirilised universe, though fa from being in a state of rest and pea*c fulness, breathes more freely. Durinj the past few days the whole of the Bri tish Empire has been celebrating thi "long-fought-for, hoped-for, prayed for peace"—an honourable peace wit) victory which Britain aud her Allic have, wrested from the greatest niili tary power in the world in the face o seemingly insurmountable obstacle; Our hearts have been raised wit! thankfulness to God who hath given u the victory and the millions of Britisi subjects scattered over the face of th world have given themselves up to re joicing in the termination of the strif and bloodshed—happy in the knowledg that their efforts have been crownei with success, and that the victory w celebrate means the triumph of right eousness, and the trampling clown o that false and wicked standard raisti by the Germans that might is right The sober, somewhat phlegmatic natun of the British character was reflected in the Peace celebrations. Thougl there was great rejoicing and mucl cause, for thankfulness, there was n< delirious, wild, extravagant outbreak o ecstatic joy—no, the long pent up feci ings of the people expression in th heartfelt note of fervent thanksgivin; from a thankful people, and a sober restrained rejoicing that was somewha lacking in spontaniety owing to thfact that the peace negotiations ha< been continued over such a length; period. Happily the rejoicings wer< not marred by any outbreak of spite ful gloating over the enemy, but wen in good taste and appropriate.. Bri tishers have again showed themselve to be jnst and honourable victors a: they have been doughty and ehiva! rons in battle.

The Local Celebrations. Residents of the Otaki district have every reason to be well satisfied with their part in the world-wide celebration of peace on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday last. It ws* a worthy effort in honour of a memorable occasion, and will long linger in the memory of all—the children more particularly. Owing to the freqnent change in the date of the celebrations, it was feared that these would be spoiled, but. although, as was only natural, there was not the same spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm that marked the Armistice Dav celebrations, the Peace celebrations were in every way a magnificent sae- ! cess. It was a particularly happy idea that led to the Te Horo, Waihoanga and Otaki people combining to hold one j big function in Otaki on Saturday, j The residents of all these centres work- j ed most assiduously together, the result being a much bigger, better, and s more enjoyable function t't* all than * conld possibly have been the case other- ] wise. We hope that this- will not be j. the last time that such a step will be t taken, bat that the priceiple of unity j of the various centres oi the district ■ will be extended, for it 'will certainly ; tend to a better feeling between the ; residents, and tend to break' down that { narrow parochialism that is; tie bane j of all small ..settlements. • ,■ ■•