Anglican View On Anzac Day

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30586, 31 October 1964, Page 1

Anglican View On Anzac Day

The afternoon of Anzac Day should be treated as a normal holiday. This is the view of the provincial public and social affairs committee of the Anglican Church, reports “Church and People,” the Anglican newspaper. The statement suggests that only the morning of Anzac Day should be subject to the restrictions that now apply to the whole day, and advocates the removal of reference to Sunday from the Anzac Day Act.

“In recent years there hasj been a good deal of discussion about the proper observance of Anzac Day. In the opinion of ’■ the committee, Anzac Day should continue to be observed, but substantial changes in the law are needed if it is not to die out,” the statement said.

“April 25 has been set apart by Parliament as a public holiday, so far as the law is concerned, to be observed throughout New Zealand in all respects as though it were a Sunday, In order that citizens may commemorate especially the sacrifices made by New Zealanders in two World Wars.

“With this object we feel sure nearly all Anglicans would wish to identify themselves, because what is commemorated is not simply a particular operation of war but the sacrifices made in defences of our national liberties and for just dealing between nations. Sixteen thousand New. Zealanders gave their lives in World War I and 12,000 in World War II; their sacrifice deserves to be commemorated.

“Anzac Day should serve three purposes: As a reminder of sufferings endured and

of acts of courage and selfsacrifice performed; as an occasion to dwell on the good things in our national life which need to be defended; and as an occasion to foster such understanding and goodwill between peoples as may make the sacrifices and sufferings of war unnecessary. “The legislative requirement that Anzac Day be observed in all respects as if it were a Sunday is, we believe, unfortunate. The purpose of the two days is not the same. Sunday is a day of rejoicing, commemorating Our

Lord’s Resurrection. For the Christian it is of greater significance than any national commemorative day. “Anzac Day should continue to be observed as a statutory holiday on April 25 and not be ‘Mondayised’. “The morning should continue to be subject to the same restrictions as at present. The afternoon and evening of Anzac Day, except when it falls on a Sunday, should be as an ordinary holiday. “The usual Anzac Day services and ceremonies should be held in the morning with a two-minute silence at 11 a.m.

“All references to Sunday should be removed from the Anzac Day Act,” the statement said.