SPIRIT OF ANZAC

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3111, 27 April 1942, Page 5

SPIRIT OF ANZAC

BORN .27 YEARS AGO ADDRESS BY THE MAYOR NEW SIGNIFICANCE ATTAINED “To-day, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, members and ex-members of His Majesty’s Forces, we have assembled to commemorate the 27th. anniversary of, the historic landing of the New Zealand, Australian and Imperial Forces on the rugged and. in‘hospital shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula,” were the opening words of the Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, speaking at the Anzac Day Commemoration Service in Paeroa on Saturday.

“That day,” continued Mr Edwards, “marked the„ first real entry of the sons of New 'Zealand and Australia into the world war of 1914-18 and that day gained for those forces an everlasting reputation as great fighting and fearless troops. “On the dawn of that first Anzac Day was born the Spirit af .Anzac which carries with it a code of high tradition, of service, fortitude, gallantry and self-sacrifice. That spirit ibprn on Anzac morn inspired the members' of .the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force throughout the first world war of 1914-18. “With these Anzac Day celebrations we assemble to assist in keeping ever green the memories of those noble members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and sons' of New Zealand who paid with their lives the •greatest sacrifice man can pay to defend the Empire and the freedom we so dearly cherish.

“The passing of the years has only tended to mellow the respect and homage we pay to those men whose great deeds and sacrifices are symbolised in this monument of memory erected to for ever commemorate their deeds and sacrifices.

“To those of us who are old enough to remember and those of us who were privileged to serve in the first Anzac Army, no monument such as this is necessary to remind, us of the gallant comrades who were left behind and those who since the war ended have passed over as the result -of their war injuries and service.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let us ever remember the great debt of gratitude •we owe to the men whose deeds and sacrifices assisted so greatly in preserving our freedom.” Continuing, Mr Edwards emphasised that it was the duty of all to help in every possible way the men and their families who suffered in the war so that they might foe free.

He paid a tribute to the mothers, wives and children of the men who paid the supreme sacrifice on the shores of Gallipoli. “Let us never forget the defot we owe those people and whenever we can we should endeavour to repay them for their sac- ' rifice,” he urged. “Anzac Day has now taken a greater significance now that a new Anzac Army is in the field,” said MrEdwards. Continuing, he paid tribute to the men serving in the present war who were upholding the traditions of their forefathers with credit.' Although already they had had difficult times to face they had never flinched

and had done with credit any job asked of them.

“We will have to face the question of rehabilitation when these men return and it is the duty of every person to see that they are fully and. properly cared for,” said Mr Edwards. He explained that throughout New Zealand at present a campaign was being conducted to raise funds for patriotic purposes and he appealed to every person to give and give willingly everything they possibly could. Mr Edwards also appealed to those pot serving in the Armed Forces to join up with one of the organisations through which he or she could, serve New Zealand in this, her hour of need. “I appeal for 100 per cent, war effort from the people of Paeroa.” “Show your respect to the men of the last war by doing and giving all you can in the present world struggle for freedom,” concluded Mr Edwards.