ANZAC DAY IN SYDNEY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 80, 5 April 1938, Page 13

ANZAC DAY IN SYDNEY

50,000 ON PARADE

N.Z. CONTINGENT TO LEAD

It is expected that there will be at least 50,000 ex-servicemen on parade at the Sydney Anzac Day observance, stated a letter received from the Sydney branch of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia today by the secretary of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association Headquarters, Mr. S. J. Harrison. In the parade in the city the men will march twelve abreast, and will wear mufti and medals. The request had been made that accommodation be provided for the wives of the New Zealand men who are going, but in view of the fact that it is expected that over 500,000 people will watch the parade in'the streets, nothing definite can be promised, though an endeavour is being made to make some accommodation for these wives at the Domain service. '. It is certain that besides the two official vessels, th£ Maunganui and Monowai, many men, some with their wives, will leave independently; in fact, some are leaving tonight by the Awatea, and others later by the Wanganella. These are going as independent passengers, but will join. the New Zealand contingent of 1400 men in the parade., The occasion is one that few returned men would like to miss, but many are unable to go. \ The affairs of some have unexpectedly allowed them the trip late in the day, while others who had made all arrangements to go have been obliged to cancel their passages. Not since 1918 will many of the men have met, and with the toll of the years it is probable that most of those who do-meet will, never do so again. Naturally all R.S.A. offices are extremely.busy making the arrangements. ■ ■ ■■•'. ■■■ ' ■■ '

MARCH td CENOTAPH.

The New Zealand Anzac Day contingent will consist of 1400 men, and they wiil be well entertained. Arriving in Sydney oh Saturday, April 23, their first engagement will be to march to the Cenotaph, where, they, will deposit a wreath. Races', football, ran air pageant, and speedboat racing offer a varied list of attractions for the afternoon, and at, night there is a long list of entertainments, of .which the moist important is ;the Anzac Eve Festival at the Conservatorium. Motor toursi • church services, harbour excursions, and golf, are listed for Sunday. The next day will be Anzac Day arid the New Zealanders 'are to head the .procession after- the dawn service at.the Ceiio,taph.'There is to be a special luncheon, a soldiers' party given by the Anzac Fellowship of Women, and, in. the.evening, an Anzac concert, and the Naval, Military, and Air Force Tattoo. . Tuesday is a free day. There will be more racing on-Wednesday, and on Thursday the contingent embarks for home. The visitors are to be made honorary members of more clubs than can be'listed and-the"Returned Sailors' and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia has done all possible to make the visit a .memorable occasion.

DEPARTURE ARRANGEMENTS,

The final details of the departure are announced. The contingent will embark on- 1 the-Maunganui and the Monow'ai on Tuesday after an official farewell by the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) and the Mayor of Wellington. (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop). The boats are to sail at 8 p.m;, at which time the Awatea will also be leaving oh-her regular trip,- The travellers are exhorted to be on time, the official circular imploring them "not to endeavour to be the last man on board." The men from Canterbury, Southland, and Otago, including a party of 130 from'- Christchurch, are to travel to Wellington by the ""Rangatira, which will make a special trip on Sunday, April 17* Men from the West Coast- will leave for Wellington by the Wahine on Monday, April 18. ' ' ye' "■'{)■'...:.:y''■'''■ .■' '':