IDEALS OF ANZAC IN BOTH WARS

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1948, Page 5

IDEALS OF ANZAC IN BOTH WARS

WELLINGTON, April 21.

That a tendency among some returned men of the Second World War, to regard Anzac Day as belonging solelv to the First World War is to be greatly deplored, was the view expressed in an interview by th P secretary of the A.I.F. Association, Mr T. H. Ashton. This, he said, was a tendency that must be broken down. Australians and New Zealanders laid the founations of a great tradition of co-operation and respect at Gallipoli, and it was that tramion that must be carried on to-day. “That is the funamental idea behind it all —it is not just a day. It is one day dedicated to the ideals for which men honestly fought and diea. lam 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 them it is a family affair now' It is a sacred day, which we hold in trust for the men who died and the relatives of men who died in the two wars.” This fact, he said, was realised by his association, which altered its dedication during the war to include men of both waps. It has also been recognised by the Government which had now set aside this day for both jwars.