ANZAC OBSERVANCE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 184, 3 May 1934, Page 10

ANZAC OBSERVANCE

Change of Date Opposed DECISION OF R.S.A. The future observance of Anzac Day was discussed by the executive of the Wellington Returned Soldiers’ Association last night. A motion reaffirming the association’s decision to oppose any alteration in the date of celebration of tiie day, arid that it be kept as a sacred day, was carried, and will be forwarded to the New Zealand conference. The motion was submitted by the chairman, Colonel A. Cowles, and sevomled by Colonel G. T. Hall. The Rev. W. Bramwell Scott said that they had to face a change in the day at some time, but to returned soldiers it was a day which spoke of the birth ot the nation, and if they could get that Idea planted, the day would become a national anniversary. His personal opinion was that they should keep the morning closely sacred and let people do what they liked in the afternoon. Lient.-Colonel R. S. McQuarrie said he hoped the day would be observed in perpetuity. It had been proved that at present it was being observed in the best way.

Mr. Scott: If we could implant tiie idea that it was a national birthday, the day would be retained in perpetuity like anniversary day in the provinces. Colonel R. H. Rowland said that at one time he had thought the day would he dropped, but after the last one he had changed his mind. They had to see that the children were impressed with the importance of the day.