Anzac Stamp Alternatives

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30445, 20 May 1964, Page 1

Anzac Stamp Alternatives

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, May 19. Members of a deputation from the Gallipoli Veterans’ Association received what they afterwards described as “a sympathetic hearing” from the PostmasterGeneral (Mr Scott) when they wailed upon him this afternoon to discuss the design of the suggested Anzac commemoration stamp. The veterans said that their principal objection was to the

use of the poppy as an inset. They thought the portrayal of Anzac Cove might pass, though it was obviously a view taken long after the initial assault. As insets replacing the poppy, they suggested: The Anzac memorial at Chunuk Bair. (The Turkish Government has used this on one of its stamps, with figures .of an Australian, New Zealand, and Turkish soldier.) A New Zealand and Australian soldier. Simpson and his donkey. Mr Scott suggested that as the design had been approved by the Returned Services Association, the Gallipoli Veterans’ Association should discuss the matter with this body The deputation, which con-

sisted of the president of the Gallipoli association (Mr j. Meldrum) and a member of its - executive (Mr W. B. Fitchett) agreed to do this. They were shown coloured reproductions of the design, which they admitted were “better-looking than the black-and-white versions”: but persisted in their opinion that the poppy, as always associated with the poem by McCrea, must remain rather as a symbol of the war in Flanders. Mr Scott said that he would communicate with Australia to ascertain opinion there. Mr Fitchett said afterwards that he had written to ’ the Australian High Commissioner (Dr. D. A. Cameron) expressing the views of the association. particularly on whether the poppy could be accepted as a symbol of Gallipoli.