PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO-DAY

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 April 1937, Page 8

PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO-DAY

PROCESSION IN SYDNEY.

Keceived Sunday, 7.30 p.m. SYDNEY, April 25. Anzae commemoration to-day was along the lines of its predecessors. The main feature was the march of over 20,000 ex-servicemen, including a group of New Zealanders, maimed and blinded men, South African veterans, Old Contempti'bles, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Interspersed with many bands the procession, which was headed by the Governor, Lord Wakehurst, in mufti, himself an ex-serviceman, took an hour and a-half to pass a given point. It was very impressive and was watched by thousands of people. Then followed a united religious demonstration at the Domain. The Cenotaph was piled high with wreaths, among which wa?- the New Zealand tribute laid by Mr. Taylor, New Zea-j land Government Commissioner. The commemoration in Victoria was] also marked by an immense parade of ex-soldiers and bands in Melbourne to the Shrine of Remembrance. A public holiday will be observed in New South Wales to-morrow. GREETINGS FROM AUSTRALIA WELLINGTON, Last Niffht. A cablegram from Rt. Hon. W. M. Hughes, wartime Prime Minister of Australia, to the Australian Imperial Forces' Association, Wellington, was read at the Anzac dinner on Saturday

by the president, Mr. J. Payne. The message read: — "On behalf of the Government and people of Australia I send you most cordial greetings and good wishes. The peoples of New Zealand and Australia, bound inseparably by ties of race, tradition and common interests, are by the glorious name of Anzac united forever in brotherhood and comradeship. To you as to us this day stands for great things, for suffering^'sacrifice and death, for great hardships long drawn-out, for reverses bravely sustained, for nerve-shattering trials, for unwavering courage, for abiding faith and for victory triumphant and glorious. As we bow our heads at the shrine of the fallen and express admiration and gratitude to them and their comrades who came back, many crueliy maimed and shattered by wounds and disease, our pulses leap in our veins and our hearts swell with pride at their deeds, and our eyes fill with tears as we think of the price they paid for victory. In their lives and by their death they set a noble example. Let us vow as we stand before their shrine U emulate their deeds and prove ourselves worthy of their valour and sacrifice.'' HIS MAJESTY'S MESSAGE. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The following message was received by the Governor-General from his Majesty the King in connection witn the observance of Anzac Day:— "The thoughts of the Queen and myself are. with my people in New Zealand in their observance of this day of glorious memory. — George R. 1." The Governor-General has cent tao following reply to his Majesty's message:— , ' 'Your Majesty's subjects in this Dominion most deeply appreciate ' the gracious message from your Majesty and the Queen. In the observance of this day of sacred memory the thoughts of all wiU turn with loyalty and affection to the Throne. —Galway."

MAY BE FALSE VIEW SASED ON FEAK. JUDGE'S VIEW OF PACIFISM. CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. "We need honesty and courage to face the realities. For instance, it is common to-day to taik of peace and pacifism as if these -were the only virtures. Too often it is nothing but downright cowardice," said Mr. Justice Northeroft, in an address at the Christchureh Anzac service to-day. We must be honest with ourselves and consider how far our pretended virtue of pacifism is false and no more than a false view bused on fear. To put it another way, we must do as they did I'O years ago taid face the realities with honesty aLd courage and acknowledge that if war be proper, as for instance a defensive war, then however horrible it be we must subdue our fears and fight." HOLY DAY NOT HOLIDAY. WANGANUI, Last Night. At the combined civic and church service at Cook's Gardens, which was attended by thousands, the principal speaker, Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., oi Wellington, expressed regret at the j Mondayising of Anzac as a holidav and said that it was a holy, not a holiday. He felt he was expressing not only the returned men's views but those of the vast gathering present that any alteration in the observance of Anzac Day, however slight, would be abhorrent to the people of the sf Australia and of New Zealand. Ha J considered the anniversary <>/ me lauding at Gallipoli the best day for Anzac Day and not the nearest Sunday.