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Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 451, 25 July 1919, Page 4

Continued from first page, in "Hence for five minutes, as a mark of respect to the fallen. This was the mogt impressive part of the thrne days' proceedings. Women sohb«d as their minds pictured the bright faces of the ".trapping young sons. brothers, husbands, lovers, who were sleeping their last long sl»»ep in some far away war zone; male relatives and friends, though better able to control their feelings, had similar thoughts in their minds; returned soldiers' minds went back to tho brave comrades whom they would never clasp by the hand again. All traffic was suspended for five minutes. SPORTS. Upon the flag being hoisted again, preparations were made for lunch. The whole aarangements were under supervision of the Rev F. J. Martin and Mr F. Perkins, and everything went off without a hitch, thanks gTeatly to generous assistance by various ladies and gentlemen. After lunch, the school children were entertained at children's sports arranged by the School Committee. The Sports Committee's programme resulted as follows: — Boys' race, 100 yards, under 14 years: W Mr-Devitt 1, J Hogan 2 Won easi j y Bovs race, under 16 years, 100 yds: C Rodgers 1, W McDevitt 2 A (dose finish. Open Handicap: 130 yds: first heat, J (Jlarke I, N Blake 2, A Sutton 3. Second hear. J Malor.ey Per J, G Howso, 2. final J Maloney I, N Blake 2, J Clarke 3. Returned soldiers rare: J Falieett. 1, L Wilson 2, G Luca i 3 Fire Brigade : two men roupling : W Short and W Adams 1, HRol-lin-f-n ;tnd L Wilson 2 Open handicap, 220 yds: J Maloney J, N BUke 2, J CLrke 3 Single Lndit s Race "syds: Miss Kearns (!\am» Rama) 1, Ida Smith 2 Married Ladies' Race 50yds : first heat, Mrs Smith 1, Mrs McGough 2; seciitd hea f Mrs R Miller 1, Mrs Walker 2; final, Mrs Walker I, Mrs Miller 2 Maori race (men) J Peru I, L Albert 2 The greasy pig race created endloss enthusiasm. Neaily every man and boy on the ground set off after the animal and after a stern chase. Mr O Parker, of Buekland, proved to be the winner. He is now the owner of a uice pig. Fire Brigade dressing event : H Rollinson 1. THE BANQUET. ■ On Saturday night, all the returned soldiers, and a similar number of civilians, were entertained at a banquet in the Premier Hall, the Mayor (Mr C. K. Lawrie) presiding. The number prasent taxed the full capacity of the building, and the way the arrangements were carried out reflected great credit on the committee and their assistants Mesdames Wyatt, Crnm, Duncan Roulston, Armstrong, and Stuart, Messrs O K Lawrie, G Armstrong, J H Keith, R McGough, W Wyatt, J Dent, D R Hamilton, and H Stuart. During the evening the following toasts were honoured: - 'The King," proposed by the Chairman "Our Allies," proposed by Mr J F Deane "Navy and Army," proposed by Mr H Dell, responded to by Liout. Hatt Local Bodies," proposed by Mr F Perkins, responded to by Cr D R Hamilton (Deputy-Mayor) " Returned Soldiers," proposed by the Chairman, responded to by Messrs E F Andrews (Secretary R.S.A.) and W Pollock (Organiser R.S.A.) TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN. At this stage of the proceedings Lieut. Hatt addressed the company, and feelingly referred to the fallen; after which the whole company stood in reverential silence for one minute, as a tribute to the noble dead. The toast list then continued "Tho Farming Industry," proposed by Mr T E McMilian responded to by Mr W Claud Motion "The Ladies," proposed by Mr F Brown, responded to by Mr J Tooman. Other toasts were duly honoured, the function closing with the singing of the National Anthem. Songs were rendered by Messrs Luke Wilson and Pom Watson, and a recitation by Mr II Gribble, each item being ent ired. The items were appropriate and the contributors were in distitctly good ferm. KETTRNBIi soldiers' demanio .11 "STICK OXI.Y—XO SPECIAL PRIVILEGES P lixjuont appealson b,--half of returned soldiers weie made in the course of speeches delivered at the banquet Mr K. F. An! re ws, secretary of the Returned Soldiers' Association, Auckland, after thanking the Mayor and citizens of Pukekohe for tha banquet, said the soldiers took no credit whatever for having rendered service to the Empire on the field, toriii' this they had done nothing but their duty. The country, how ever, owed a duty hi the dependants of the men who had fallen or were mmm.xi in tlu struggle. It was 'aid that i.o man could do could greater s. rvice than to give his life for his friend, but many soldiers had dene more than that, inatmuch as they were maimed for life, and had to live the remainder of their existence in pain and incapacity. Over a hundied were in mental asylume, and a largo number were suffering from tubercular complaints. In spite of the promises of a paternai Government, men in mental hospi'als hid I -t. if prived of 'he pensions dor •<) •!." in or th"ir relatives, \\\'u ttp.j.pv '•■ ii tr u--d by 'he One nment to pay for their maintena c i in in- iswu-iiH. flii" suiwlalo'is fict was bi.-ughr to light by the circuni'tance ti.it one of these unfortunates hid hen disih-irged from an institution wirliotii i penny in his pocket, and he would have fared badly had it -in' i i..-ii For th" aid of the K'.S A. Al.-o, |i t|j.i.-| oil. soldier 111 In |-ll*l- ■ toll- . .ii riii.coM hid died ill the a-.i. c ..I •!,-■ Auckland Hospital, '.ii i.M ~ ■.not o| rjio certificate attribut ne, death t-, ■ auscs other titan from war si-ivices incorrectly), the Government refused to pay for the I men's burial, or even to provide firing parties I'nder such circum- j stancis, the RS.A. had paid for aj firing party and for the burial, thus | saving them the pain of having to i inform the mothers Miat their sons 1

had been buried in paupers' grayes. Several similar cases of gross inI gratitude were exposed, including the cases at Featherston camp, about which so much was published in the Press recently. Mr Andrews held up'a greatly disunion red and hat'ered old tin plate, stating that this was a sample of the plates men dying from T.B. (tubercular disease] were obliged to take their food fiotn 'He concluded with an eloquent appeal to the able-bodied returned men and the public in general to fight fur justice to the incapacitated men and their dependants. PUBLIC SYMPATHY Mr W. Pollock, organiser for the R S.A., Auckland Province, and a member of both the Provincial and Dominion executives, said : " One of the most important things in my work is to create sympathy by the general public for the returned soldiers, between whom there is really no antagonism or divergence of interests whatsoever. 1 had no idea, before my recent return to New Zealand, that things were so bad in this country that a Returned Soldiers' Association was necessary, but I have gince found that there is a great need for such an organization. It has been said that the soldiers were making exorbitant claims, but that is not so, and the idea is due to a lack of knowledge as to what the K S A. really stands for. Judging by the comments in the I'ress throughout the United Kingdom, our soldiers have earned a good name, both on the field and off, and on the strength of what one might call " outside opinion," it must be assumed that they carried out their duty well. (Applause). TIIEXCRSIXO SISTEKS " I would like just here to pay a tribute to that fine body of patriots The Nursing Sister 9, to whom every man in uniform was bound to pay homage on account of the heroic and splendidly self-sacrificing work performed in ministering to the sick and the wounded. Everyone of these Sisters who returned were made honorary members of the R.S.A. and to-day, at Auckland, cars were provided for them in the procession. (Applause) A WIPE HELD. " Our organisation covers a very wide field, every part of the Empire being represented, and there are even members of Allied nations enrolled, including a Belgian from the Belgian Congo. We shall be visiting every part of the Auckland province shortly, and I hope to see a substantial increase in the membership. fiROSSLY INCOMPETENT ADMINISTRATION "In regard to repatriation.l believe that the legislation treating on this vastly important subject has been conceived in a generous spirit, but the administration of the Act is characterized by humbug, delay, incompetence and official red tape. (Loud applause). For example, I know of one man who was granted £3OO five months ago, but is still waiting for the money. Such is a common example of inefficient administration. The inten 'ed beneficiaries are hampered by all kinds of restrictions and vexatious delays on the part of Government departments A FIGHTING CODY. " The Auckland Executive of the R.S.A. is preeminently a fighting body, and is determined to force the powers that be to put more energy into the work of repatriation, and to introduce more commonsense and expeditious methods. (Hear ! Hear ! Mr Pollock concluded by thanking the Mayor and citizens of Pukekohe for their hospitality to the returned men, and was accorded rousing acclamation on resuming his seat. Subsequently, Lieut. Hatt, Area Officer in charge of the Pukekohe District, said that while he did not wish to make any comment on the | statements made by the two repre- j sentatives of the R.S.A., in respect j to their general application, be could ! assure them that no returned soldier who had been buried anywhere in this large district had been laid to rest without due military honours being accorded. A firing party had attended on each sad occassion. (Loud applause). THANKSGIVING ON SUNDAY. UNITED SERVICE. The congregation at the United Thurches Service on Sunday, presided over by his Worship the Mayor (Mr C. K. Lawrie) filled the Premier Hall to overflowing. The j Order of service was as follows, the j harmony being provided by the United Churches choir (under Mr V, ! S. Roberts) and the Pukekohe Or- j chestra (under Mr J. Hindman.) National Anthem Hymn, "Old Hundredth" Scripture reading by the Rev J. P. Cow'ie (Anglican) j Thanksgiving prayer by the Rev S. Nixon (Presbyterian) Hymn, " 0, God, our help in ages past" Commemoration prayer by the, Salvation Aimy captain Anthem, " Te Deum," choir Address by the Rev F R. Jeffreys | (campaigning on behalf of the Boys' j Home, in connexion with the Pres- j byterian Social Service Association, j of Auckland) Prayer, " Future Guidance," by , Rev J. F. Martin (Methodist) Hymn, Kipling's ' Recessional" j Benediction, Rev F. R. Jeffreys TRUE CHRISTIANITY. HYPOCRISY AND J llUMlit'fJ. ENEMY IX THE CAMP. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, ! be ye steadfast, unmovable, ! always abounding in the work of the Lord " I Coi, , 1 •"> "»« Taking tit" above as his text, the H'V Jett're}s sjiok" in piringly of Christian ideals, the viilne and verity of '.viiic'i the war had proven. And, \v no measured terms, he denounced th» hypocrite and pharisoa, much to the approval of the great congregation "For nearly five years," said thi preacher, " the world hns been under the awful cloud of war, but now we can .-ay front the depths of our hearts '• Thank God the fog has dispersed " it degression has been remove.!, ami may God in Mis Mercy grant that the I'eaeo ihat lias come to us, ' the victory that has been won, may ' moan much goodwill among men. such liberty of kindly action, such true brotherhood among men that tine thankfulness will be manifested All through the war our chief enemy tried by every viln and con- j cirn'le method In l-renk Mi"

morale of the Allied troops. The I campaign of frightfulne°s, the ripe lof Belgium, of Poland, of Seryia and of other places, the suhraarine pirate activities, the murder of Captain Fryatt and of Nurse Cavell, the despicable outrage on the Lusitania and on hospital ships, the maiming of the wounded, the deporting of helpless women and girls from occupied territories, the innumerable outrages that now make such a fearful indictment against Germany, all go to show that Germany, with all her scientific and devilish skill, did her beet to break down the steadfastness of the Allied cause. It has been said by some " How could such things be after so many years of Christianity ? Many, no doubt, thought superficial ly that the greatest war in history, with all its attendant horrors, was a preof of the failure of Christianity. Rather, let us answer and say that all that has happened during the past five years is a proof of the power of Christianity. Germany has been an example of what a people divorced from the principles of the Christ could descend to. The war has reallly been a fight between Christianity and nonchristianity. The Allied cause was a Christian cause, a fight for truth, a fight for freedom, a fight for hearth and home, a fight to the death in defence of all those principles that are the direct and indirect outcome of Christian influence. The German cause was a fight for material conquest, for material considerations only, and only the non-christian ideals of German militarism, could have contrived the diabolical schemes that are now so familiar to the world The war was a fight between Truth and Falsehood, between Righteousness and Sin, between Right and Might. The indiyidual that tries to live by omitting God from the life is doomed already. The home that tries to exist without God cannot prosper in the highest sense. The nation that forgets God, that omits God, is doomed. In our Peace Thanksgiving we do Well to remnraber this. To-day let us thank God Almighty for His servants who remained steadfast and immoveable, and throughout the war kept the Allies steadfast by their example. Our leaders were pre-eminently men who honoured God—from our King downwards. Think of Lloyd George, of Haig, of Beatty, of the Allied leaders in the West. Think of Allenby in Palestine. Through all the long cloud of war these men looked beyond the fog to the clear sunlight of God's omnipotence. To-day we must confess that peace from war does not mean to us peace from internal strife, from industrial unrest. We are face to face with some of the greatest problems in history, but if we are true to the God of Battles, Who has made wars to cease, if we look beyond the fog of industrial unrest to the clear light heyond, if we remember our duty to our brothers around us, ail will yet be well. If we try to settle the great problems of to-day without getting up on the mountain top of high ideals and God-like compassion for the needs of our fellows, above the fog of petty jealousies, of petty desires of personal gain and poor material considerations, we will never see the fog dispersed, but rather we shall become more and more enshrouded in its gloom. Why has the Church not got the power to-day it might have ? Who dares deny that the Church to-day has got the power it should have ? The Church fails because it keeps too much in the valley of old ideas and old out of date methods—because it does not get above those things that obscure the fulness aud clearness of God's love and mercy. It is heartbreaking to hear sincere Christian people wasting time in the valley of debate about the end of the world and of escatological doctrines, when all around men are dying and souls are being lost for the helping hand of a brother held out to save. Why, there are even Christian folk who don't approve of the Church carrying on social work, because such work goes beyond old ideas and methods, because it embraces many duties that a minister has not been in the habit of doing in the past. Let me say that, however much we strive to romain steadfast and unmovahle in our Christian faith, we shall fail lamentably if we don't take the whole exhortation of our text, " Be ye Abounding " in the work of th« Lord. As Paul put it, "As we have therefore opportunity lotus do good to all men.'' It is only the inspiration of the pnuciples of Christianity that can make a man, » home, a nation, steadfast, iinmovn able, abounding. WHAT IS C'HRISTIANTY t Is ir. conforming to any particular faith or creeil ? Is it attending church regularly ? Is it a slavish observance to a set form or me! hurl ? NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO. A mere conforming to any Church's doctrine won't vitalise any man, won't make him .steadfast, uihuovh adle, ami abounding. Christianity is something infinitely greater th m any of these mere accompaniment* of religion Christianity is a power It is a new life that comes into the heart of every man that tiuly receives the gift of God's lovo into his life. Christianity takes man as ho is, with all his weaknesses and failings; it doe 3 not alter his natural characteristics of mind and body ; it does not pu l him into a mould and turn him out an Anglican, or a Roman Catholic, or a Presbyterian, or a Methodist. Christi .nity does take a man and develop ami ennoble his natural hoot. As long as human nature is what it is, you will have different sects --one i fo' in of belief appeals to one typo of mind more than another, out the heart and soul of true Christianity is universally the same—just as a river and its tributaries. "/ To day thero i? far too great a tendemy to dwell upon the difference of men's outward expression of the | faith that is within them, and not I half enough charity towards those i who differ from us Lot us «< t ; above the clouds of sectarian differ- l ences, and in our P.tae.e thanksgiving think only of the clear light ami love j above the pettinesses that surround men. Let us get out of the fog of unbelief in our fellows, out of ihe fog of petty and selfish desires. Let us get into the clear light of God's infinite lnvo and mercy. Our Chris-

tian profession is an empty and sham thing if it does not reveal itself in our daily actions. The mere profession of Christianity, the mere slavish adherence to old set formulas often makes so-called Christianity stink in men's nostrils. True Christianity, if given a clear channel through which to flow to hungry and thirsty men, commands the respect of nvery rightthinking person. It is the miserable v representation of Christianty that we sometimes see that causes men to scoff and mock. I have never heard true Christianity scoffed at; I have often heard quasi-Christianity (as.too often represented) jeered at. Friend, if your religion is a cloak to help you in business, or to nuke you popular with certain people whose good opinion you desire, let me toll you that you are an enemy in the camp. If your religion is a sincere reception of the great principles of Christianity, then all men whose opinion is worthy of having will respect and honour you. Let us be steadfast and unmovahle in the great principles of Christianity, and then we. shall go forward to the future confidently; then we shall do our duty to our returning soldiers; then we shall have sympathy and compassion for those who have been broken in the war; then we shall stand by the widows and orphans of our fallen heroes; we shall do our duty in facing the real facts of life; we shall do our duty to our workers and to our employers, we shall have compassion on the outcast, the fallen, and the destitute ; we shall respect our fellows among whom we dwell, and will not exaggerate our differences ; wo shall become men who never shame their mothers, men who never fail their brothers." The speaker concluded his eloquent and profoundly stirring and appealing address with the linns: " Hark, do ye hear the martial hum ? Hark, do ye hear the distant drum? Onward they march, our warriors come, Glorying in their Victory Honour'd he ev'ry soldier's grave, Glory to the fallen brave, Now the triumphant banners wave, Britain has the Victory Soon now must many a bosom swell Sadly with grief while hearing tell How a brave sire or husband fell On the great field of Victory. Now Britain'H pleasure, Britain's pride Will be through life to aid and guide Children and wives of the men who died, Glorying in their Victory." MONDAY'S CELEBRATIONS. DAY OF SPORTS. In spite of the threatenim* climatic conditions the final day of the celebrations on the Parade Grounds and on the Domain was largely attended by residents from all over the County. Punctually at 10 30 a m. a commencement was mada with football matches, The- Papatoetoe Junior 15 and the local Juniors lined out for battle. Owing to a couple of the home toam failing to put in an appoarance some of the members of the Pukekohe Sonior 15 were substituted. Fast open play followed the kick-off, and soon afterwards J. Blake notched a try for the home team, which was not converted. In the second spell Pukekohe was penalised for offside play and Craig for Papatoetoe equalised the scores The home boys followed the kick off and for a time had the yellow and blacks busily defending, but infringements spoiled any likely scoring chances. The visitors swooped down the field and were within an ace of scoring, but good play by Costello, the local full-back, saved an ugly situation. The ball was returned to half-way where play hovered momentarily. Dur'ng an attack by the visitors Burton, of Papatoetoe, had the misfortune to receive a bad knock on the forehead, and had to retire. Half time sounded without any alteration to the score Both sides started the third spell full of grit and determination, but Pukekohe was the first to press, and the visitors wore compelled to force Papatoetoe then pressed, but a timely mark by a home player relieved. The ball was booted high and the forwards followed up and smothered the Papatoetoe forwards. A scrum resulted and the back machine of the home boys was sot in motion. The ball went to Malmev, who scored. Ho took the kick, ami added the major points Pukekohe S v. Papatoetoe ■'! Fast, even aud open play was the order of things for the remainder of the spell, which end si S to ;>, in favour of Pukekohe. The final spell saw t m loc 1 boys on the leather a.sif on ili.i ptov<-ri.iul hot cakes From a s-rimi in Pq>ttoetoe in J. Blake seemed, liauaferred to Lysnar, who in nidi .'e»t t on to Hchla-pfer, who ha I no dilfi culty in touching down. llow.se'a kick, though a good one, wis nun less. The score now stood PuLfk-dn II V. Papatoetoe !5. Papatoetoe put sum- (irt-il 111'.' their play for aboil: lift huh-. «h.| from a good ru-h Mr\Villum» go* over. Oiaig laded to out the .-..d between the uptight* I'ukeknlte II V I'up ItOHtee ti Will a lew miliums logofa-u----toetoe strove: hard ior\ei the sioi'es, hilt the (Jeft)ilCM <i\ the lioiun lm\ - proved too superior ih< ieds \ve- i up the field with llifl ball a toe a-.d a good forward rush re uit d in Borich diving over under the pest*, dstolio was nHirmtod with th» kick and he made the scire r>ad Pukekohe 10 v. Papatoetoe f> The gamo ended soon alter, wiih play in neutral territory. Mr Joe Reynolds proved an efficient and impartial referee. l-'AXCV COSTI'MK M AT' M An adjournment for him ii " :i----made, and again a Urge t ovd > sombled to witn-.s-t the afternoon's proceedings. The lirst thing to amuse the large crowd was a " football in itch " in fancy costume llnfoitumtely one team took the field, and it was agreed to play a seven aside miteh. wiih one of the nv>n as referee. It I"i minutes the crowd was I-*»|» m t sf.ite of hiUrity through : i in- e..; <'outimio 1 oo in-i lo pages.