THE NEW ANZACS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 179, 26 April 1941, Page 4

THE NEW ANZACS

Proud To Stand With Britain

(By Telegraph—Presa Assn.—Copyright.) t NW YORK, April 23.

Mr. R. G. Casey, Australian Minister in the United States, in an Anzac Day address to the Australian Society today, said that April 25, 1915, marked Australia and New Zealand’s real birth. “Our men’s gallantry and courage gained for Australia a bright and particular place on the chart of the world’s history,” he said. “Anzac Day holds both a military and political significance. Once again we are faced by a powerful and detestable enemy. Australia had no illusions of a quick and easy victory when she entered the war only 90 minutes after Britain. “Australians and New Zealanders are proud to stand with Britain to see this thing through together, whatever the cost. To Hitler and his hordes truth and decency are merely the futile mumblings of a weak people. ' His so-called new order is that which exists in prison or cemetery. We look forward to a new order of a very different type. “Today we honour the Anzacs, but we don’t honour our dead by dwelling on the past. We honour them by doing the utmost to ensure that they did not die in vain: that we will defeat the same barbarians whom we fought and beat in 1918.” LORD BIRDWOOD Message To Old Comrades In New Zealand (British Official Wireless.) (Received April 25, 7 p.m.) RUGBY, April 25. The special significance of this year’s Anzac Day, in view of the stand by the new Anzacs in Greece, is epitomized in a message which Lord Birdwood has sent to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Fraser: “Kindest remembrances to all my old N.Z.E.F. comrades now in New Zealand. I know the thoughts of you all, as the thoughts of us in the Old Country, are with our new comrades, who fight not only for democracy, but to uphold the Christian religion, which, under Hitlerism, would soon be overthrown fof pure Nazism. That none of us will ever tolerate or allow. Every kind wish and God bless New Zealand." Lord Birdwood also cabled Major-

(Other Anzac Day reports on Page 13).

General Freyberg: “Every kind remembrance and good wishes to all my old comrades and to the far larger number of new ones for our Anzac Day. We, never forget you. We are one and all full of pride in the great and wonderful service you have done and are doing. We are never in doubt as to your victory, though a hard time and hard days are yet before us all. God bless you one and all.” General Sir Alexander Godley, who commanded the New Zealand forces in the last war, has sent a message to Mr. Fraser and also to Major-General Freyberg.

AUSTRALIAN SERVICES (Received April 25, 11.50 p.m.) SYDNEY, AP ri l 23 - Today’s Anzac commemoration in Australia was every bit as memorable and inspiring as its predecessors. Indeed, it was invested with greater significance, because in all the ceremonials was a sprinkling of present-day soldiers and airmen, many of them sons of those who took part in the last war. Twenty-<flve thousand returned men marched in Sydney today. They included wounded recently returned from Britain and the Middle East. A quarter of a million people lined the footpaths and cheered. The dawn Bervice at the Cenotaph in Sydney was attended by 30,000, while a united religious service in the Domain attracted 80,000. FRATERNAL GREETINGS New Zealand Forces In Fiji The following message to the president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. Perry, M.L.C., has been received by the Minister of Defence, Mr.'Jones, from the officer commanding the New Zealand forces in Fiji, Brigadier W. H. Cunningham “On this solemn anniversary of Anzac Day the officers and men under my command in Fiji send you fraternal greetings.' May our brothers in arms now fighting in Greece make history as memorable as did the men of Anzac.” SERVICE AT CITADEL A special Anzac commemoration service was conducted in the Salvation Army Vivian Street Citadel' by Lient.-Commissioner J. Evan Smith last night. He was supported by Mrs. Commissioner Smith, Lieut.-Colonei and Mrs. Ebbs and members of the territorial beadquarters staff. The service opened with the National Anthem, following which all sang Kipling’s Recessional. Lieut.-Colonol A. Scotney, and Lieut.-Colonei F. Burton, Salvation Army secretary for war ser vices, offered prayers for the Empire in this time of crisis, and Brigadier S. Hayes read the Scriptures. Lieut.-Colonei W. A. Ebbs, chief secretary, led the responsive readings. Corps Sergeant Major Montgomery, a veteran of the last war, spoke on the spirit of Anzac, and Commissioner Smith paid a tribute to the men of Anzac and their successors. The united bands played the funeral march “Vital Spark,” and the united songsters sang “Rock of Ages.” Bandsman L. Baughen sounded the “Last Post.” The service closed with the singing of “O God Our Help in Ages Past” and the benediction.