ANZAC DAY CHANGES

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31124, 29 July 1966, Page 1

ANZAC DAY CHANGES

Bars Open, Sports After 1 p.m.

(Xew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 28. From next year New Zealand will observe Anzac Day in the Australian pattern. April 25 will remain a public holiday, if it falls on a week-day. But in future, unless it falls on a Sunday, bars will be open, sports fixtures will be allowed and all other activities for pleasure or profit will be permitted after 1 p.m.

Legislation to validate the change was introduced in Parliament today.

When he introduced the Anzac Day Bill the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) said there had been a noticeable shift in public and Returned Services’ Association opinion toward a relaxation of the Anzac Day observance law.

Yet the wish to commemorate solemnly the part played by servicemen and servicewomen in the wars remained as strong as previously. The bill, he said, provided for both attitudes.

It repeats the present statutory declaration that April 25 be a “day of commemoration” not only of the part played by New Zealand servicemen and servicewomen in the Boer War and First and Second World Wars but also, now, “in memory of those who at any time have given their lives for New Zealand and the British Empire or Commonwealth.” The legislation is intended to encourage—but not to require—those who carry out future Anzac afternoon or evening activities for profit to make grants to charity. It empowers the Returned Services’ Association or any local R.S.A. affiliate, on their own or in conjunction with other groups, to establish trusts for specified charitable purposes publicly notified by

the associations before Anzac Dav in any year. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said the bill was an important one which dealt with a matter on which the Returned Services’ Association and the community had given an opinion. It was true, however, that some people had “strong feelings” in the opposite direction. He asked Mr Seath to send the

measure to a select committee so that it could be carefully considered. Mr Seath, who expressed no objection to this suggestion, said the bill had been framed in close discussion with the R.S.A. Mr W. A. Fox (Opp., Miramar) said not all returned servicemen would favour the change. Mr Kirk said many people felt deeply about the matter, and suggested the bill should not be approved by merely a majority, but an overwhelming majority. The Opposition did not aim to set back the bill this session, but it wanted to ensure that the measure meet with the people’s, wishes. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) suggested the Opposition have a look at the bill and then confer with him over a suggested course of action. The bill was given a first reading.