The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 26. THE WAIREKA JUBILEE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 348, 26 March 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 26. THE WAIREKA JUBILEE.

Deeds of daring ever find admirers, even though such deeds were done fifty years ago. There are feats of arms that stir the world, and those the effects of which are but local. On Monday, survivors of the Battle of Waireka and their friends will meet to juibilate over a smart brush with the Maoris. The en gagement probably meant much more than appears on the surface, for if the enemy had not been decisively checked, his state of mind might have induced him to excess, and a probable march on New Plymouth. Whenever men are associated in any dangerous enterprise they naturally have to depend much on one another. A common cause unites people more truly than anything else, and so it transpires that no comrades are so loyal to each other or for so long a time as sailors or soldiers. The wearing of the New Zealand war medal is the emblem of a true freemasonry. The association of citizen soldiers at Waireka is a lasting passport to the mutual esteem of every one of the small but gallant band that cheerfully undertook the punitive expedition half a century ago. It is easily proved that old soldiers do not associate entirely out of self-congratulation for deeds done. It is feasible that the survivors of a flood, an earthquake, an expedition, or a wreck would find equal joy in assembling for a renewal of acquaintanceship. "A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind," and friends of the doers of deeds feel equal pride in such celebrations. Sentiment controls the world. Even "mafficking" has its uses. Having obtained unanimity in a community by appealing to its emotions, the community is much more capable of being influenced for good. National or local enthusiasm effects lasting benefits; and the fact that the story of the Waireka fight ds still told, the veterans who fought it still honored, and its celebration still enthusiastically carried out, shows that its importance was considerable to this community. The settler veterans of New Zealand went to, war in order that we, the successors, might have peace. > And now that the rifle is silent, the fire-stick dead, the tomahawk used only for the work of peace, and pakeha and Maori are one in heart and purpose, we may well look back to the days of such strenuous incidents as the Battle of Waireka and be thankful to our settler-soldiers of the past.