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Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 170, 29 April 1955, Page 1

In his address prior to the dedication the Rt. Rev. W. N. Panapa, Bishop of Aotearoa, recalled that when Field-Marshal Montgomery visited New Zealand he had been presented with a small booklet, entitled "The Price of Citizenship," and written by the late Sir Apirana Ngata. Following the loss of so many in battle men and women naturally pondered the problem of war and its cost, and it was the cry, particularly of the Maori women, as to whether the sacrifice of their sons was worthwhile, that had led to Sir Apirana writing "The Price of Citizenship," in which he had pointed ont that that sacrifice was the price of our citizenship. That was something we should not forget, in this time of world tension and uncertainty. It would be a terrible tragedy if that tension should develop into a conflict of colour, of black against white, and he would point out to them, most humbly, their duty to do all to avert such a tragedy. Having won the war, it was now necessary that peace be won. Following the address, Mr Wright unveiled the memorial tablet, and

the Bishop proceeded to the dedication, after which the Mayor laid a wreath below the memorial tablet, on behalf of the people of Taupo. Wreaths of laurel and ivy were laid by the Frontiersmen's units, one of flowers by the Girls' Lifo Brigade, and a cross of flowers made by girls of the Taupo -District High School. Other similar tributes, in memory of individual servicemen. were later placed under the tablet in memory of individual soldiers. Kipling's "Lest We Forget" was snng, followed hv the Anzac Prayer, and a one-minute silence. The closing hymn was "God Defend New Zealand," the service ending with the benediction, prononnced jby Bishop Panapa. (See aiso in this issue "The Taupo-nui-a-Tia's Roll of Honour.")