PLAY DAY OR HOLY DAY?

Evening Star, Issue 17954, 27 April 1922, Page 4

PLAY DAY OR HOLY DAY?

HOW SHOULD "ANZAC” BE OBSERVED. Colonel T. W. M‘Donald, president of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association, was asked yesterday what ho thought as to the proper observance of Anzac Day —whether it should or should not take on the Sunday character— and he replied thus ; Anzac Day was brought into use ns a holiday chiefly through the instrumentality of the Returned Soldiers’ Associations i throughout the dominion. As it_ operated last year under piebald conditions it was found to .he neither flesh, fowl, nor i good red herring. Therefore some further action became necessary. The returned soldiers (I think I ran say right through the country) and their dependents feel very strongly that the anniversary of the actual landing at Gallipoli, which gave birtl) to the memorable Anzac Day, should be observed on that clay and no other. That in itself seems to dispose of the possibility, suggested by some, of making the nearest Sunday the anniversary day. The It.S.A. is aware that a certain amount of opposition exists to the creation of another public holiday, and we realise that, something can be said for that contention. But we look at the position from tho opposite point of view that there arc other holidays one of which might bo cut out to give way to (lie more important one of Anzac Day 'We are reluctant to insist upon anything that will further tend to hamper trade and business, but we have to remind those who object on that account to Anzac Day that they, should consider what the position might have been it tho war had gone the other way, and if we wore now under tho orders of German sorgeants-major, We returned soldiers have memories. Wo cannot and do not forget what was said to us by tho business people of the dominion when they sent us forth on the duty of protecting the Empire and its trade. There is a tendency ,in some quarters to forget these things — to forget oven that there has been a great world war, and that at times it seemed uncertain which way the victory was going. In putting it to yon in that manner I am speaking as head of our Returned Soldiers’ Association to those who now murmur against Anzac Day as a special holiday. I ash them to remember with ns tho past. And that incorporates my answer to your question as to whether Anzac Day should he a day of play or a day of remembrance and memorial. I am personally of opinion that the present method of observance, as wc had it on Tuesday, is the correct one, and this is endorsed to a great extent, by the keen interest taken in the ceremonies throughout tho dominion. Did you notice how the people at largo identified themselves with tho various gatherings? I may add a word as to my sincere gratification, on , behalf of tho R.S.A., at the manner in which tho returned soldiers themselves turned out and made a record parade in Dunedin, and their good behaviour and the conduct of the general public throughout tho whole of the proceedings. I also desire to gratefully acknowledge tho thoughtfulness of those who sent wreaths, and the help given by tho Territorials, tho bandsmen, tho ushers, the police, and, indeed, all who assisted. Tho annual mooting held on Monday night proves that the returned men arc not slackening their interest, but, on the contrary, are displaying increased zeal in the affairs of the association. THE OTHER SIDE. Mr H. F. Siucock, president of the Otago Employers’ Association, said : The local employers have nut corporately considered the question, but they arc going to, for I am bringing it up before the executive the first time it meets. In the meantime I can only give you my personal opinion, and that is that there is no necessity for an extra holiday. It means a loss of wages to workers who are on hourly or daily pay, and many of them would sooner work; whilst the employers cannot afford to pay the extra rate. I quite agree that Anzac Day should be fittingly observed as an historic event, and as an occasion for the deepest feeling. It should bo a religions and serious observance. Therefore I think the day should ho tho Sunday nearest to (ho day of the landing. You cannot force people to observe a week day as a Sunday if they , feel holiday inclined. It would develop into a play day in line weather. A lot of ' employers are disinclined to speak their ; minds on the subject for fear of being misunderstood. I take the risk of stating I my view, and I shall give our executive i tho opportunity of voting on it. ( other views.

One employer, who is in a large way and beyond all question patriotic and sympathetic, put it this way : that ho would not mind paying his men for tho day if they really used it as a Sunday, but be sees no moral claim to pay for a holiday simply to let them off for football or gardening. Another view of the position suggested to our interviewer, and seriously stressed, is that it very likely would be much bettor for nerve-racked mothers if Anzac Day were observed quietly, and not by public, demonstrations that bring the horror back to vivid remembrance. Time is aesuaging their grief, and it would be kinder nob to rekindle it.