The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES." GISBORNE, SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1948. NATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22620, 24 April 1948, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. IN WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE TIMES." GISBORNE, SATURDAY, APRIL 24, 1948. NATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION

fjMIIS week two Australians—Mr. A. R. Cutler, V.C., his country’s High Commissioner in New Zealand, and Mr. T. H. Ashton, secretary of the A.I.P. Association in Wellington, have drawn attention to the significance of Anzac Day. Mr. Cutler said that in circumstances which have not yet brought true peace to the world there is a greater need than ever for the Anznc spirit to be manifested and carried proudly, as a practical and worth-while reality, into our human relationships at home and abroad. Mr. Ashton made a special plea for the elimination of what he described as a tendency among some returned men of the Second World War to regard Anzac Day as belonging solely to the First World War. “Australians and New Zealanders,” said Mr. Ashton, “laid the foundation of a great tradition of co-operation and respect on Gallipoli, and it is that tradition that must be carried on today. That is the fundamental idea behind it all—it is not just a day.”

It is perfectly true that Anzac Day was not set apart merely to mark the anniversary of a battle. Those Australian and New Zealand troops whose deeds created the name in the First World War were the first to give the day a greater significance. More keenly perhaps than most of their fellow-countrymen in the ’twenties and ’thirties, they knew that the essential part of any memory must he a resolve to work in full comradeship for peace. April 25 became their time for renewed dedication to this aim. It was no fault of theirs that another young generation had to make similar sacrifices. The day would not have survived as long as it has if there were anything jingoistic about it. Actually, the Anzac Day ceremonies affirm the conviction of every man and woman taking part that war is the most futile and costly way of attempting to solve a problem ; but they declare something more as well. They honour the facing of responsibility,'.the readiness to forget self and endure for the common good. Sharing Anzac Day Observance

Another generation has come through another set of grim experiences in a Second World War. It lias been the greatest, tragedy since 1914-IS. This generation now appropriately shares the observance of Anzac Day. Its value is common to all, whether they helped to make the first Anzac Day on a Gallipoli beach in 1915 or saw its anniversary through in the perilous evacuation of Greece in 1941 or served on other days in other fields of hazard. Realisation of the day’s true significance may he further stimulated when it is remembered that the letters in the word Anzac stand for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This should symbolise the Australian and New Zealand partnership in the British Commonwealth of Nations and give a joint guarantee—if that is really needed—that the southern Dominions will always stand fast by the Motherland, one of the most heroic countries in times of danger and adversity the world has ever known. Just as the original Anzacs, a name, incidentally, well loved by Americans as well as Britons, played their part nobly in the field of battle in close touch with the famous British 29th Division, than which there has never been a finer body of fighting men, so those who have followed their example must interpret correctly the message that shines through a troubled world. Anzac stands not in commemoration of one particular day or even era. There is a deathless ring about it which has strengthened our sense of nationhood and our appreciation of the big part we have to play in co-operation with Britain and other democracies in dissipating the darkening clouds of world unrest. No Need For Change of Name

In all the circumstances no sound case whatever exists for any suggestion that the name Anzac Day should be changed to, say, National Commemoration Day. . The men who so worthily upheld the Anzac tradition from 1939 to 1945 must never be allowed to think that they have little or no right to participate in functions grouped under the designation Anzac. The secretary of the A.I.P. Association has made it clear that his organisation regards April 25 as a family day now—and a sacred day held in trust for the men who died, and for the relations of the moil who died, in the two wars. During the recent war his association altered its dedication to include the men of both conflicts.

Precisely the same views are held by the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, which welcomes in comradeship the participation in Anzac Day ceremonies of all returned men and women, South African veterans included, whether or not they are members of the N.Z.R.S.A. The spirit of Anzac is now too all-embracing to warrant any vestige of discrimination. As Mr. Cutler, the Australian High Commissioner, indicated, the qualities of courage, determination, understanding and comradeship which founded the Anzac tradition can he brought to bear on the domestic situation and indeed on the whole world situation today. The post-war world offers at the same time a challenge and a great opportunity upon the acceptance of which may depend the future, perhaps even the survival, of civilisation. The successful preservation of peace, no less than the successful prosecution of war, demands of the whole community discipline, devotion and selflessness, the will to work, and, above all, the will to work together.