ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22627, 20 April 1937, Page 7

ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ VIEWS APRIL 25—MT NEAREST SUNDAY HOLIDAY PROVISION IN AWARD CRITICISED The advisability of observing Anzac Day on the nearest Sunday to April io caused a long discussion at the annual meeting 'of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ ' Association last evening. A minority was of the opinion that the day was fast loang its status as a holy day, and believed that by observing it on a Sunday the original conception of Anzac Day would be restored. Those present strongly deplored the provision of a holiday on Monday, when April 25 fell on a Sunday, and thought that it tended to make it a ‘ picnic day.” A motion that Anzac Day be observed on the nearest Sunday was heavily defeated, but it was decided to take action to defeat the tendency of an extra holiday as was provided for in some awards when Anzac Day occurred on a Sunday. Mr A, S. Falconer, in opening the discussion, stated that by observing Anzac Day on the Sunday those, worker* allowed Monday off under their award would just make it a picnic day, which it was never intended to be. Many “ diggers ” suffered a severe penalty in the \loss of a day’s pay when Anzac Day fell on a week : day, while numerous industries were disorganised. The actual landing on Gallipoli took, place on a Sunday, and he could see ho reason why Anzac Day should not be observed on the nearest Sunday. He moved—“ That this meeting forward a remit to the annual conference recommending that steps be taken to have legislation amended so ds to provide for the future observance of Anzac Day on the Sunday nearest April 25.” Mr J., M. White, in seconding the motion, recalled attempts made to have Anzac Day observed on the nearest Sunday, and said that the proposal had been heavily defeated when introduced at the conference. Anzac Day was fast becoming a holiday, and not a holy day as on the lines originally proposed, and it was the duty of the association to forestall the movement. Mr W. M. Roberts thought that Anzac Day was the most sacred day in the year, and as far as he was concerned “ any other Sunday ,jvas not Anzac Day.” Mr D. R. M’Diarmid was opposed to the motion being rushed through at the meeting, and moved as an amendment that a general meeting of members be called. The amendment was supported by'Mr Gray, who thought the meeting was not representative of the returned soldiers in Otago. It would create a wrong impression if a remit such as had been proposed were to go forward from the meeting. Mr N. R. Wilson said that £5,000 had been spent on /relief, and a large portion of this money had come from the general public. It was an indication of sympathy with all that the association stood for, and this” sympathy was stimulated by the annual observance of Anzac Day as it was celebrated at present. Mr J. S. Skinner pointed out that a postal ballot on the subject had been taken several years ago, and he was quite sure that if another ballot were taken the proposal would again be heavily defeated. Some people had never observed Anzac Day and never would, , but those people were in a minority, and to the great majority Anzac Day was observed just as it was 20 years ago. Mr H. L, Paterson stated that the principal argument of the “ Anzac on the nearest Sunday ” movement was that the ex-soldier lost a day’s pay, but that obstruction had now been removed, and there was no argument left. When Anzac Day was placed on the Statute Book it -was not only to commemorate the landing, but also those who had lost their lives, and that fact should be realised by all.: Mr P. S. Anderson said that 50 per cent, of the association’s members resided in the country, and why should they be disfranchised? He was certain that country members would stand by April 25 as Anzac Day, and not the nearest Sunday. It was a question of £ s. d. and it was not the question of £ s. d. that caused the soldiers to go overseas. Mr Robertson pointed out that 60 per cent, of the present population, of New Zealand had been children 'at the time of the Anzac Day landing; they could not have a full realisation of the significance of the annual observance, and to change the date of that celebration to a Sunday and depart from the actual anniversary would be to confuse its identity. The present celebration, with the parade and the visits to the schools, w’as the best way in which the sacredness of the day could be kept fresh in the minds of the public. Dean Cruickshank thought they could not more effectively lose that for which they had been striving to preserve than by an alteration as was proposed. The result would be the death of the ideal of Anzac Day. The greatest hope of the returned men was to preserve the observance as it was. At this stage Mr M'Diarmid withdrew his amendment, and the motion, on being put to the meeting, was heavily defeated. Jlr J. Kernohan thought that the provision in some awards for the observance of Anzac Day on Monday, when April 25 fell on a' Sunday was the thin edge of the wedge creeping in to create a split and bring about a change in the attitude towards the day. He felt that action should be taken to defeat this tendency, and moved that exception be taken to the provisions in some award?. Mr Skinner, in seconding the motion. said the tendency was opposed to all Anzac Day stood for. The motion was carried, and the discussion lapsed.