R.S.A. Executive Divided On Form Of Anzac Day

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30130, 14 May 1963, Page 12

R.S.A. Executive Divided On Form Of Anzac Day

Whether Anzac Day should be observed as a Sunday or as a Sunday morning-Saturday afternoon was debated briefly by the executive committee of the Christchurch Returned Services* Association last evening.

The president (Mr A. S. Farrar) was firmly in favour of Anzac Day staying as it is. A member of the executive, Mr T. J. Kirk-Burnnand, who led the New Zealand delegation to the Anzac Day commemoration in Melbourne, was equally firm in favouring the Victorian pattern.

A full-scale debate was avoided when Mr Farrar said the subject was again down for discussion at the Dominion conference of the association.

“It is the day we remember them, and it is only a small sacrifice for people to observe the day as a Sunday, a very small sacrifice when we think of the sacrifice of those who gave their lives so we could have our way of life,” said Mr Farrar. If New Zealand was to adopt the pattern of some Australian states and have organised sports in the afternoon, then some persons would be called on to work. It would be far better, he suggested, for the day to remain as at present and for persons to go to services and then work round their homes or gardens.

It would be a mistake to assume, because there was sport in Australia on Anzac Day afternoon, that it was accepted by all returned servicemen—“because it is not,” said Mr F. W. K. Humphreys, who was a member of the recent R.S.A. delegation to New South Wales. "I would not like to see it introduced into New Zealand.,” he added.

After he had mentioned the sundown service and said he doubted whether there was a dry'eye there among all the thousands who gathered —“even though the pubs were opened,” Mr KirkBurnnand replied that there was no lack of reverence in Victoria. , Was the Dominion executive expressing the opinion of the whole of the returned servicemen? Mr D. Barrett asked. A Gallup poll would be interesting. In Victoria, the change from the old-style Sunday

had come about because of a referendum of returned servicemen, Mr Kirk-Burn-nand said. His views, which he emphasised were personal, had been given to the Dominion council in his report. “I .am strongly of the opinion that there should be a referendum of returned servicemen on the subject,” he said.

He recalled that four years ago he had spoken strongly in favour of retaining the present form of Anzac Day. His visit to Victoria had changed his mind. “I’d heard all about people playing two-up and all sorts of things, but now I find that it is all nonsense.” he said. “There is a very dignified observance of Anzac Day, and in afternoon there are sports, proceeds of which go to help the Returned Services' League. Having seen it in operation. I am all in favour of it.” When there was discussion on the attitude of the Dominion council, Mr KirkBurnnand said: “I don’t think they are game to have a referendum.”

Many persons felt Anzac Day should be “Mondayised” after it had fallen on a Saturday and they were deprived of a holiday. Mr Farrar said. It would still need an act of Parliament to alter the observance, but he thought the Dominion conference of the R.S.A. was the place to debate any change.