The Press FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1966. Buying A Poppy

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 10

The Press FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1966. Buying A Poppy

Most people will buy a poppy today; but how many will do so from habit, and how many will pause to think why they do so? Money raised by the sale of poppies is spent on comforts for returned servicemen and servicewomen, many of them now in their declining years in hospitals and old people’s homes. They have deserved well of their countrymen; those who shared, and those who were spared, their wartime experiences will wear a poppy today as a tribute to their valour. The landing at Gallipoli by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, 51 years ago on Monday, will be commemorated in services and ceremonies on both sides of the Tasman. But the red poppy is associated in the public mind more with Flanders than with Gallipoli, a reminder that New Zealand men and women have served with distinction in other campaigns in the last half-century. There are, alas, few veterans of Gallipoli and Flanders among us today; even their sons and daughters who served in the Second World War are now middle-aged. The war veterans are still, nevertheless, a large and influential body; and to them the Government and the public must look for guidance on the inevitably changing ideas about the observance of Anzac Day. Last year the Returned Services’ Association recommended to the Government that the Anzac Day Act should be amended, but the amending legislation was not brought down last year. The Act prohibits most forms of entertainment and directs hotels to close. The R.S.A. considers a “ liberalised ” Anzac Day would now be more appropriate. As the Anzac Day Amendment Act should be brought down in this session of Parliament, this year’s may be the last observance of Anzac Day in its traditional form. The nation’s pride in the historic events that this day commemorates has not diminished with the years; its sadness has been softened with the passing of time. It is appropriate, therefore, that Anzac Day should not be perpetuated as a day of mourning. It might well comprise a forenoon of commemoration and an afternoon of sport and other recreation, in addition to the customary servicemen’s reunions. This form of observance is already practised in Australia. It is acceptable to the R.S.A. and it respects the feelings of those who still mourn sons and husbands killed 50 years, or 25 years, ago. Infant Classes At a recent meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association a delegate mentioned that whereas the old school at Beckenham has a roll of 88 in the infant classes the new one at Kendal has 331. Yet each receives a similar grant based on the total enrolments in all classes. This is good reason, indeed, for the association to ask for a “ new deal ” for infants. Infant departments have become the pride of many primary schools. Their classrooms have been made bright, functional, and easily cleaned; much more attention is paid to basic concepts taught there; and great advances have been made in books and other equipment. But for at least 25 years infant teachers have complained that they have to devise much supplementary material themselves and often pay for it out of their own pockets. Reading material in addition to basic books is now available; but the school committees say that more money is needed for other equipment. Their claim that grants should be based on class numbers seems entirely reasonable. Although present emphasis is on higher education, it should never be forgotten that sound learning begins in the infant room.