ANZAC DAY TRIBUTES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 180, 27 April 1929, Page 11

ANZAC DAY TRIBUTES

Sir,—l would like to add a few words to “Cornubia’s” article >in your issue of April 24. “Cornubia,” after saying that 17 000 New Zealanders died in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, and nearly 4000 others have passed away since the Armistice, asks several questions—this, among others: “What tribute have I paid during the past year to those who made it possible for me to live in peace and security in this glorious land.' Let me pass on a suggestion as to how I think the City of Wellington could pay such a tribute. When the people who are responsible for the services at the Cenotaph and the Town Hall on Anzac Day are arranging for those who are to take part they could select, first of all, P a<J res and others who have actually seen service overseas. In these services I have found that ex-soldiers and their next-of-kin usually prefer experience to talk to them rather than eloquence, where the two are not combined in the same person. I have just come back from the Garrison Service at the Basin Reserve, and I observed that a definite and correct principle was followed there —chaplains on the active list conducted the service, including two be-medalled ex-service padres. It appears to me that this would be only fair. Men who did not serve will probably outlive the war survivors, and so they will then have ample chances to say what they think about the deeds and dead of the Great War. I would also like to see two brief addresses at these services, one to be given by some exservice man not a padre. There are in this city those able to do this sort of thing well. If they were asked and consented to speak, they would be listened to with interest by an audience anxious thus to pay part of the tribute it should to those who enlisted because they wanted tp act as a living shield to loved ones •t home in New Zealand.—l am. eta..