PAGEANTRY OR SOLEMNITY?

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 14

PAGEANTRY OR SOLEMNITY?

THE SPIRIT OF ANZAC DAY. (grKCIAIi TO "TKB TRBSS.") DUNEDIN, March 5. Feeling ran high at tho meeting of the" Dunedin Returned Soldiers' AssocTation last evening wnen the secretary reported that he understood the War Memorial Committee intended to lay the foundation stone of the War Memorial on the afternoon of Anzac Day, April 25tli. Mr E. J. Anderspn stated that Anzac Day was looked upon as a day set apart for the returned soldiers. The War Memorial was only in the air, and they were asked to forgo their service to take part in a ceremony connected with which there wa3 a cost of £IO,OOO. He contended that they should continue to observe their own service, otherwise they would not be doing their duty to the men who bad fallen. It was a sad thing that they were asked to take part in a pagednt when such a solemn and sacred servioo wa3 to be honoured, and only those who had served at the front could know the true solemnity of it. The whole thing struck him as being infinitely more sad when ,it was remembered that tile citizens of Dunedin had given £BOOO for their beautiful club. If the city were to have a memorial, he would rather see tHe club sold and the funds go towards such an undertaking. He was strongly opposed to forgoing the service in memory of their comrades, and ho moved: "That this Association carry out its Anzac service as ,in former years, and arrangements in connexion therewith be left in the hands of a sub-committee."

Mr P. S. Hill, in seconding the motion, said the service should not be interfered with. It was a lesson to the coming generation. Mr J. C. McCrae said that nothing should be done without going into everything very carefully. He di,d think, however, that tho committee was lacking in courtesy in not consulting the Association before deciding on Anzac Day for the laying of the foundation stone. It had been recognised as a sacred day, and he could not understand the committee going forward with tho arrangements without ascertaining the wishes of tho Association. He would like, before passing the motion, to suggest that they confer with the Mayor. It was quite possible that there had been some thoughtlessness in the matter. The chairman (tho Rev. Hector McLean) stated that he had received an invitation to become a member of a sub-committee to decide the site for the memorial, but he had bcou away. Ho felt that it was no part of the work of the Association to be committed to the raising of funds for a war memorial. He felt with Mr Anderson that it would be a great pity to give up the service. There had been difficulties last year in regard to the service, and they were meeting them agaiu this year. There was no doubt, however, that if the stone were laid on Anzac Day, a representative of the Association would have "to be present. Mr H. Walker said ke was strongly in favour of the service being held on Anzac Day, and suggested that tho laving of the foundation stone should t;ike place on tho following Sunday. He moved: "That the chairman and secretary go before the War Memorial Committee and endeavour to make some suitable arrangement." Mr Anderson said he would not withdraw his motion- He had moved it because the information before them regarding the foundation stone was so meagre that it was riot certain that it would ever reach fruition. They should not alter the present arrangements, nor should they depart ftom holding the service* Mr R. Holt then moved: "That Mr Anderson's motion bo held over until after the conference between the representatives of the Association and the War Memorial Committee."

Upon Mr Anderson agreeing to this course, the motion was put and curried unanimously.