THE ANZACS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17095, 18 February 1916, Page 7

THE ANZACS.

A LONDON SERVICE. DEVOTION OF THE DOMINIONS. TWELVE HUNDRED MARCH TO CHURCH. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 16. The overseas soldiers’ service at St Margaret's, Westminster, at midday was attended by 1200 Australian and New Zealand convalescent men, who filled the body of the church. The entire congregation was in khaki. The troops marched to Westminster headed by the Anzac Band. Their appearance contrasted strongly with their earlier appearance, when the Anzacs were suffering from grave wounds and were unable to walk unassisted. Now t-hey arc ready to go to the front at a moment’s notice.

Canon Carnegie, the rector, said he hoped the overseas troops and their friends and relations would regard St Margaret’s as their own parish church. It was specially appropriate because it was tlie House of Commons parish church, and the members of the Commons and tho whole English people wisned to show their deep appreciation of what the dominions had done during tlie. momentous crisis in the Empire’s fortunes. No episode in history had found more inspiring, more pregnant and far-reaching results than tho magnificent rally of the dominions to the support of the Empire. Tho rising up of Brftons close t-o tho storm centro was not unexpected, notwithstanding superficial signs of degeneracy, but the response of tlie men of the dominions had exceeded expectations. They were determined not. to spare blood or treasure. Their deeds of courage and self-sacrifice were unsurpassed in tho annals of the war. It would bo impossible to overrate the world-wide importance of these events. Tlie material help of tho dominions was of gieat service when Britain’s resources were strained to the utmost. “Wo now know what formerly we could only hope—that the Empire is ? living organisation, bound by unbreakable ties, traditions, ideals and ambitions. The ordeal has aroused the race to a consciousness, an Imperial consciousness. The least imaginative now realise that Anglo-Saxons are destined to stand together, a potent instrument in God’s hands for the propagation of the great principles of civilised progress. We must not lose the unique opportunity, when so many Dominionites are in Britain, to deal with tht intricate and difficult problems of reorganisation and consolidation, which will tax all foresight and intelligence to solve aright.”

RETURNING HOME. UNFIT FOR FURTHER DUTY, EIGHTY NEW ZEALANDERS 02 TURAKINA. LONDON, February 16. A crowd of Anglo-New Zealanders at Paddington farcwelled eighty New Zealand soldiers, unfit for further duty, under Captain Conway, returning aboard tho Turakina. Phase on the platform included Sir Thomas Mackenzie.

On behalf of a committee of English women, Lady Smith-Dorrien presented the party with a silk Union Jack and a metal shield with the inscription: “To New Zealand heroes, from the women of England.” Miss Chamberlain, daughter of the late Mr Joseph Chamberlain, said that Englishwomen now realised that the British were one race. The Home Land and the Dominions in future would be thankful to act together for fho defence of the things for which they all cared—justice, freedom and human kiudness. The Anzac Band played “ Keep the Home Fives Burning,” and the depart* ing soldiers were heartily cheered.