ANZAC DAY APPEAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 146, 22 June 1945, Page 7

ANZAC DAY APPEAL

R.S.A. DISAPPROVAL AUCKLAND VIEW SUPPORTED Special Reporter WELLINGTON, this day. Anzac Day, and the nature of its observance, and also the radio appeal made on the night of Anzac Day this year were matters considered by the R.S.A. conference yesterday. Several remits on the subject were deleted in favour of the Auckland proposal that it be the established policy of the R.S.A. that Anzac Day must not be used for any special radio appeal.

Mr. A. P. Postlewaite, Auckland, criticised the Dominion executive for agreeing to the radio appeal made on Anzac night, and said that Auckland raised objection, as it was considered that such a method of raising money, irrespective of the object, was a breach of the sanctity of the country's day of remembrance. Auckland had been "put on the mat," but the stand taken was supported by public opinion. As a result the radio appeal was "a flop." He considered that the Dominion executive should have communicated with the branches.

Taking "The Cane" Mr. B. J. Jacobs, the Dominion president, said that if the executive did wrong it would "take the cane." An appeal was made in 1942 and that was the precedent as no great objection was taken. The Dominion executive did not communicate with the branches because it was under the impression that the Patriotic Board would do so.

Mr. K. C. Aekins, Auckland, said the Dominion executive should have telegraphed each branch on the matter. He hoped that if a similar question arose in the future the executive would ascertain the views of the branches.

Mr. T. J. Taylor, Wellington, described the appeal in Wellington, and said it was done on the basis of regimental units of this war. While they remembered the dead, there was also a duty to the living, and the appeal that was made was for men who were fighting to try to do what was not done in the last war. (Cries of "Rubbish.")

Mr. C. L. Podmore, Otahuhu, moved an amendment that no function for profit or monetary gain should be associated with or promoted on Anzac Day.

Mr. W. R, Bates, Te Aroha, seconding the amendment, said there were evidences of attempts to alter the method of the observance and the R.S.A. should be vigilant. April 25, 1915, was the day on which New Zealand came before the world as a nation.

Mr. T. A. Bishop, Western Suburbs, said Anzac Day should not be allowed to become a holiday. An appeal for money was out of order on a day of remembrance.

The amendment was lost on the voices.