RONGOTEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 125, 28 April 1936, Page 2

RONGOTEA

ANZAC SERVICE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, April 25. • Anzac Day is a challenge to us to remember those glorious youths who played their part in the stupendous achievements of the landing on Gallipoli, and all the gallant company who, on land and sea, knew the meaning of sacrifice. It gives us time to pause and remember those who returned maimed or blind, many who linger in hospital. These quiet hours of remembrance draw us together in a bond of sympathy with mothers and fathers who so bravely gave their sons in the struggle for freedom. The large gathering that assembled in the Coronation Hall at Ron gotca this afternoon' were evidently in this mood of worthily - doing honour to the proud memory of the quick and the dead, for the proceedings were dominated by a noto of sincerity arid gratitude. The chair was occupied by Mr L. H. Yarrall (chairman of the Rcngotea Town Heard), while others present on tho platform wore Adjutant W. Scarle, Rev. W. ,J. Bcrrv Rev. R. E. Eordycc and Mr J. M. Croucher, with twenty-five members of tho Palmerston North Salvation ' Army Band, and Bandmaster L. W. York. The Rcngotea Company of Rangers, in charge of Mrs R. Soott, and tho Girl Guides under Miss L. Davis took a helpful part in the service. Tho proceedings opened with the National Anthem and Mr Croucher was then called on to address the gathering. Ho spoke as follows: “Our purpose hero this afternoon is to do honour and pay our tribute of respect to the memory of those men and women who gave their lives in the Great War that we might be saved from the effects of tyranny and oppression. Wc had hoped that bv their sacrifice they would be safeguarding for all time the interests of those who were alive and yet to live, hut in view of the warlike and unsettled conditions prevailing, particularly in Central Europe to-day, our hopes are very badly shaken indeed. Be that as it. may. their sacrifice lias taught ns this very important and valuable lesson—that war is utterly futile, is an instrument of destruction, and j a menace to civilisation. There has been in, the past a tendency, perhaps unconsciously, to glorify war. To combat that tendency lot us realise these facts. Tho war cost the world the lives cf more than fifteen million men and women who wore the flower of the nations. Our own contribution to that number was 17,000, and possibly as many more are being cared for hi hospitals, sanatoria anti other similar institutions. Surely these figures of our own, without going into those of all the nations, should bo sufficient to make us all advocates of peace, but let us get this clearly in our minds: that if wc desire peace we must be prepared to teach if. Hie greatest forces for evil in flic world to-day arc selfishness, suspicion and greed. We must in some way overcome the influence of these forces, and inculcate in the hearts and minds of the people, especially tho younger generation, that peace is the only solution of our world-wide troubles which are riot only warlike, but political, social and industrial. Wc arc living in an .age which calls for outstanding personal courage; lor moil who have flic courage of their convictions, and men who having that courage, will be prepared to see their convections carried out for the common good. Thtfse men and women whom we remember were called on- to <lie for their Empire. You and I are called upon to carry “*1 the tasks for which they laid down their lives. \ou are I are still in possession of the priceless gift of life.. Your-Em-pire is yours to make of it what you will. We are called on to be the builders. We shall best remember our dead by cultivating that sprit of love and goodwill in all classes, which is the essence of the spirit of the Almighty. As those men and women cast aside the barrier of race, and class and tongue, so it is necessary that you ntd I should show in our public and daily lives that same spirit of love and goodwill, that spirit which is the only hope of a state wherein war will be unknown. There has been a great deal of talk about the lafe war being the last war ;• let us be honest with ourselves and face the fact that there are going to be wars until inui and women realise the absolute necessity of putting away strife and bitterness, envy and greed. To its is left a world made poss'ble by the great army of dead, and the responsibility of proving that their sacrifice was not made in va n rests with us all. With the approach of Anzac Day each year various suggestions are advanced as to its observance, and while .admittedly ull are entitled to their opinions, if this day meins anything to us at all it should be observed in keeping with the lessons it has, or ought to have, taught us. With the passing of time the sting of sadness has to some extent diminished and we are able to regard the clay more as a day of grateful remembrance. The sorrow lingers on—true enough, but to know grief does not necessarily mean that.we should be morbid; there is health at times in tears and pain is' often the scntinal of life. This day can help us to measure the profit of other days and hasten us in our all too constant desire to yield to self and ease. Of what does Anzac Day most remind us? Courage, endurance and sacrifices. Of courage there is not too much, parlour soldiery is practised, there is, too, shrinking from hardship, and to run away from conflict : s deemed to be a cardinal virtue. Even if this judgment appears too harsh, let us accept it rather than take the more pleasant way of thinking well of ourselves. It needed war to renew our pluck in the midst of mode it life. Anzac Day speaks to us of endurance, the power to hold cn in the teetli of clenched opposition, to restrain fire as well as laitich it at the foe, ‘to bear all tilings’ —‘to suffer all tilings.’ To face ordeals without muttering, to suffer privations without complaint; these aro the bard tasks of manhood, harder sometimes titan the rush of reckless battle. Most of all, the day reminds us of magnificent sacrifice, the subduing of self in the serving of others. To admit til's nto the manifold activities of all other days would soon put this stricken world on its feet again. As in other parts of the world, we in this Dominion have erected monuments to our dead, but there is nothing more impressive then the simple services that are being held throughout New Zealand and Australia to-day. So long as these simple services iast, so long will the traditions created during* Ihe war remain, an imperishable record of service and sacrifice. It is well we remember those others, too, who in the r thousmds were compelled to carry the heavy part of tho burden at. home. There were mothers, fathers, sisters, lovers, who watched and waited, feared and prayed for those who were away, and often their vigil was in vain. Milton says, ‘They also serve who only stand and wait.’ Perhaps some of. the finest scrvico of tho war was rendered by those who could only stand and wait. Our best observance of the spirit of this the 21st anniversary ot Anzac is to learn and practise Hie lessons conveyed by the deeds rnd experiences it commemorates. We heard much in the years we are remembering to-day about tho rq-eat struggle for the cause of -peace, a war to end war. Is that ideal perishing? Human experience, like the stern lights -of a ship at sea, too often illuminates only the path we have passed over.- It is for us to see that this ideal for peace does not perish, and then and only then will we be able to say that those who gave their lives have not done so in vain.” Kipling's “Recessional” was sung, after which Adjutant Scarle gave an inspiring address, stressing the fact that the men of Anzac, having been nurtured in the higher ideals of life, went forward .strong in the conviction that they were doing God’s will in their efforts to uphold these ideals on the field of battle. The 42nd Psalm .was read by Mr Berry, and then all joined in singing “O” God Our Help in Ages Past.” Mr Eordycc offered up prayer. Then followed tho concluding hymn, “Lead Kindly Light” and the Last Post, sounded by Bugler W. Clegg. A parade, headed by Hie band, marched to the Memorial Square, where, wreaths were placed on the Soldiers’ Memorial from I the Rongotea Town Board, school,.Masonic Lodge, Rangers, Girl Guides, Methodist Sundav School and many private persons. A gathering of bandsmen and visitors reassembled at the ball and were entertained at afternoon tea. Mr 11. V. Cavcrl iU expressed the thanks of residents to the speakers and tho band for their presence and the splendid service rendered. Bandmaster York . responded and expressed

thanks to the ladies for the welcome refr\Vhcn'a'large crowd gather outdoors to listen to a band there arc many explosions of appreciation that do not reach h cars of the musicians. Anzac Day at Ronffotca is the only occasion U the year when residents have the opportunity of having a band in their midst, and when the Palmciston North Salvation Army players assemble in the Memorial Square for the final corcmony in connection with the service as the strains of “Nearer, My God, to Thee, and then the Last Post re-echo there is a hushed stillness, followed by heartfelt thanks for the pleasure given lo old and young by the beautiful music. Mr and Mrs W. <f. Crouchcr. of Pa merston North, were visitors to Rongotea, and received a warm welcome from many friends.