BOTH WORLD WARS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22618, 22 April 1948, Page 3

BOTH WORLD WARS

SPIRIT OF ANZAC SACREDNESS OF DAY "MUST BE PRESERVED” ( p ) WELLINGTON, April 21. i That a tendency among some return- ! ed men of the Second World War toward Anzac Day as belonging solely , to the First World War is to be greatly (deplored was the view expressed in an interview by the secretary of the A.I.F. : Association, Mr. T. H. Ashton. I This, he said, was a tendency that, must be broken down. Australians and i Mew Zealanders laid the foundation!! 'of a great tradition of co-operation and respect at Gallipoli and it was that j tradition that must be carried on today. I "That is the fundamental idea behind it all-j—it is not just a day. It is one day dedicated to the ideals for which , men honestly fought and died,” he added. "I am sure that certain loose talk among some returned men of this : war about Anzac Day belonging to the | past is not shared by the majority of | returned servicemen. For many of ithem it is a family affair now. It is a sacred day which we hold in trust for ! the men who died and the relations of the men who died in the two wars. ‘‘This fact is realised by our association, which altered its dedication during the war to include the men of both wars. It has also been recognised by the Government, which has set aside this day for both wars."