THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 21 April 1938, Page 8

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In the local and general column of last night’s issue of the “Standard” there appeared a reference to a motion carried by a certain society in regard to the singing of “God Defend New Zealand” instead of the National Anthem at functions of any kind. Their objection to the former anthem, for it has become known as the national anthem of New Zealand, is the fact that it tends to displace “God Save the King,” and as there is some difficulty in regard to the National Anthem in South Africa, they are perturbed least something of the kind should happen here. I always understood “God Defend New Zealand,” to be something very much in the nature of a prayer, and as such _it must be commended as a very salutary wish to pray to God to defend our country “from the shock of strife and war,” and whilst the people still have the desire to express such excellent sentiments there will be no possibility of the slighting of the National Anthem, “God Save the King.” By praying to God we do not take from the rights of the King, rather do we safeguard the King’s rights due to him by loyal subjects, for he who prays to God will surely hoonur the King as God has commanded.—l am, etc.. It. T. RYAN, 25 Cuba Street, Palmerston North. April 20, 1938.