SPEAKEASY

LEST WE FORGET

by Helen Hughes
God defend our free land.

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking you to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace not war will be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in thy might,
Put our enemies to flight
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be,
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Keep us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our FREE land.

These are the words of our National Anthem.

The values and desires held by those New Zealanders who went to war, to defend their families and to preserve their freedom in New Zealand are held within these words.

They are the values and desires held by most New Zealanders today.

In forcing the closure of small schools up and down the country, the government is hitting at the very heart of families and communities - at the very heart of New Zealand.

The state has been corrupted and now the government is the greatest enemy of individual freedom right here in our classrooms and on our back doorstep.

If a few of our neighbours have their rights removed today and the rest of us remain silent, you can be sure that slowly and silently our rights will be removed tomorrow.

"All that is essential for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund Burke

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