Call To Preserve ‘Glorious Day’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 1

Call To Preserve ‘Glorious Day’

From the Anzac sacrifice was born “our proud nation” of New Zealand, said Mr Gallagher in his address at the citizens* commemoration service. Mr Gallagher made a spirited plea for the preservation of Anzac Day. “It is sad

that so many regard the day as one for personal pleasure or recreation,” he said. “We in New Zealand are required politically to do so little, so very little, on this day,” Mr Gallagher said.

Even in the United States children would daily salute and honour their nation’s flag. Those who doubted Anzac Day should think of the degradation and subservience

that would have been forced on New Zealand if its men had not been prepared, twice in 50 years, to give their lives. “For those who doubt, a few minutes spent among the white crosses of New Zealand graves in France, at El Alamein, at Cassino, will serve to remind them,” said Mr Gallagher. “I know. I have done it. And it made me think,” he said.

“There must still be among us men who will lay down their lives for their friends,” said Mr Gallagher. “Let us do strengthen and preserve Ansae Day as the glorious day of our nation. “If we do not, we will have failed, as selfish individuals, to preserve the memories of our grand men—and we will have failed as a nation,” he said.