Victory in Europe
came in a clap of thunder; but it was not, and still is not, peace. Peace is on the way. It will come to Europe, and finally to the whole world, but not at a. single leap. Peace cannot come suddenly any more than a troubled pool can suddenly go calm. It is the settling of the waters, the dying down of the storm, and that is still some distance ahead. But this is victory, the most crushing, complete, and spectacular victory in modern history, Our enemies are scattered, crushed, disarmed and dishonoured, blown away like chaff from a thresher’s floor, and we are entitled to harbour more than feelings of relief. It would not have happened if we had faltered or failed, and it is not boastful to say so. But it is not safe to say it too often. We did not falter, but we almost failed. We were not ready morally or materially when the storm burst, and it is with humble and contrite hearts that we now give thanks for our escape: thanks to God; to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who fought and died for us; to the leaders who inspired us; the workers who produced for us; the civilians who endured for us when the sky rained mutilation and death. But gratitude is not enough; contrition is not enough. It is not enough, though it is important, to remember the bereaved and the lost. We dishonour the dead unless we use our victory to restore the dignity of the human race, which has sunk lower in five years (as well as climbed higher) than in any other such brief space in civilisation. New Zealand has been spared the worst horrors of this decline, as have most New Zealanders; but it no longer doubts them. It has seen knowledge perverted to bestial uses, the human mind glorying in brutality and crime. It has seen a great nation prostrating itself before: a megalomaniac, throwing itself under. his. chariot wheels, disfiguring itself for life in his glory. All those things and many more we have seen with : eyes that began by. refusing to see anything in our enemies that we could not see round grout we it is ‘enough now to ae must ‘save ourselves, Pealvation fis by works as well as by faith. ‘ TICTORY tarried long, then
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 307, 11 May 1945, Page 3
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394Victory in Europe New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 307, 11 May 1945, Page 3
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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