Anzac Day Observance

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 11

Anzac Day Observance

yir—in vour issue of April 28, the Rev. G. AV. Blair, of Featherston, replies to the letter of “Consistent” appearing in your issue of April 2t, in reference to the observance of Anznc Day. The auvocalcs and originators of Anzac Day .are the returned soldiers of this Dominion, and we certainly never intended that Anzac Day was to supersede such a holy day as Good Friday, which day every returned soldier (with perhaps few exceptions) regards as the most sacred day in the whole calendar, Mr. Blair states that Anzac Day was instituted as a holiday, and ho asks, “Why not allow the people to use it as such, ns the day commemorates the great and glorious event of the landing of the mon at Gallipoli?” In his idea as to the actual meaning of Anzac Day, Air. Blair is, in common with many others, under a misapprehension. Anzac Day never was designed to commemorate the landing of the New Zealand troops on Gallipoli. The Anzac Day Act, 1920 (brought into Hie Statute Book at. the instigation of the N.Z.R.S.A.), section 2, reads: “In commemoration of Hie part taken by New Zealand troops in the Great War, and in memory of those who gave their Jives for the Empire. April 25 of each year, being the anniversary of the first landing of English, Australian, and New Zealand troops on Gallipoli,’ shall be known as Anzac Dav. and shall be observed throughout’New Zealand as a public holi<laThe Act of 1920, after operating for two years, did not suit the returned men of Ibis Dominion, and consequently the Anzac Day Amendment Aet of 1922 was passed bv'Parliament, amending section 2 of the principal Act, the words "as a public holiday” being deleted, and the words "in all respects as if Anzac Day were a Sunday” were substituted. From this it is quite plain what Anzac Day really means, namely, a day of commemoration of Ibe sacrifices made by the hinders in the Great War of JJI4-J9IS, irrespective of whether such , sacrifices wcro made on Gallipoli Peninsular, m Palestine, in France, or in nny other theatre of war, and it is in this spirit that Hie returned men of the Dominion observe Anznc Day. . Mr Blair suggests that the first halt of Anzac Day should be used for commemoration day, when memorial services should be Belli in every church in every part of Hie Dominion, while from mtdilnv onwtird should be observed nnd spent as any other public holiday. As the above definition disposes of the question of Anzae Day being a publie holiday, it also disposes of Mr. Blairs suggestion. Furthermore, as the various services organised throughout New Zealand by the Returned Soldiers’ Associations are imuallv packed to overflowing, is there anv necessity to discontinue these services in order lhat. separate services can be held in each of Hie respective churches seeing Hint, the united public are behind till! returned men in their services? Mr. Blair concludes by stating that, manv people are beginning to look upon the Anzac Day restrictions as being burdensome in the extreme. From where does Mr. Blair get his idea: and who are the people he refers to? Might I remind Mr Blair Hint: tlm 102.000 loyal New Zen landers who faced the dangers of war. many of them for -IV years, found neliio service restrict ions “burdensome." inti they faced llieir ordeal without a grouse, 'ami with all their handicaps are /till prepared to carry on under the present Anzac Day conditions, and pay homage to (lie memory of lhe 17.000 brave souls who never camo Imek. in addition to tlm thousands of others who have paid the penalty of their service since the Armistice. Tn conclusion, the Rev. Mr. Bhur can rest nssured flint, the Returned Soldiers Vsociation of Now Zealand has no intention whatsoever of letting up upon Hie saeredness of Anz.ae Day. partieulnrIt while tlm warriors of 191-1-1918 are daily passing beyond through Hie effects of war service.—l am. etc.. A. ,E. I’RENTICE. Hon. See.. M’nirnrapa Returned Soldiers’ Assn. Mastertoli. April 28.