Anzac Day

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6841, 23 April 1932, Page 7

Anzac Day

SERVICES AT SCHOOLS.

Services in commemoration of Anzac Day were held at the Palmerston North Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools and College Street School yesterday. At the Girls’ High School, following a prayer and the singing of Kipling’s Recessional, an address was delivered by Rev. G. T. Brown, M.A., who stated that the time was far past when Anzac Day meant the glorification of war-like courage. All were proud that New Zealand, in a time of great trouble, had not been found wanting—glad that its young manhood had risen in its strength and given their life-blood for what was duty. Since then, however, the people had been doing a lot of cool thinking —had been asking just what the war had done for them and what it had done for the world. Thousands of men had gone forward to destruction, the war thus squandering the world’s greatest asset, its youth. What had it done financially? It had landed the nation on the verge of bankruptcy, and brought poverty and distress to the people. What had it done for the world morally? It had unleashed the passions of humanity and allowed them to run mad. The worst casualties of the war could not be written down in words or figures. Ouo of the good things of the war, however, was the revelation of its horrors and its utter futility and stupidity. Force was a poor argument and trust was a real force to take Its place. Theoretically the nations accepted those facts but found it very hard to put them into practice. Yet, unless the last war was a conflict .to end war, valuable lives will have been sacrificed in vain. Another world war would mean the total destruction of civilisation. The only way to secure permanent peace was by disarmament and those who held the opinion that the only way to ensure peace was to be prepared for war, were all wrong. The speaker exhorted the pupils to encourage the spirit of brotherhood. The proceedings closed with thq singing of the National Anthem.

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

A service in commemoration of Anzac Day was held at the Boys’ High (School yesterday afternoon. The service opened with the Lord's Prayer and a scripture reading by the rector (Mr. J. Murray, M.A.). Then followed the hymn, “0 Valiant Hearts,” and an address by Mr. W. L. Fitzherbert, chairman of the Board of Governors. There was a great lesson to be learned from the story of Gallipoli, said Mr, Fitzherbert, but he thought that one of the outstanding features of the early days of the war was the wonderful response by New Zealanders when the call to arms was made. He felt sure that the same spirit would prevail if another war were to break out. Continuing, Mr. Fitzherbert said that probably the greatest lesson to be learned from Gallipoli was the value of self-reliance. He asked the boys to learn to rely on themselves and to strive always to be truthful and honest; to play the game at all times and to carry on their lives to the very best that was in them. ‘‘lf you do that,” he added, “you will have nothing to regret and you will come to no harm. We are passing through what is probably the worst depression in the history of our Dominion, but I feel that it cannot last much longer. Most of you will find it hard to get work when you leave school, but if you do get a job, hang on to it for all you are worth, for it is sure to lead to something better.” In conclusion, Mr. Fitzherbert spoke of tho good name the New Zealand Expeditionary Force had earned for itself in other parts of the world. New Zealanders were looked upon as gentlemen, wherever lhcv went, and and the men who had gone overseas in (lie time of the nation’s need had handed down a great tradition to posterity. After the address the rector read the Roll of Honour. This was followed by Kipling’s “Recessional,” and then J. M. McEwcn. (head prefect) placed the beautiful wreath at the foot of the Gallipoli oak. The service concluded with the National Anthem.

AT WEST END

At West End School yesterday afternoon the children gathered in the assembly hall, where fitting tribute was paid to the sacrifices made by the men who fought and died on Gallipoli. The speaker for the occasion was Major S. G. Sandlc. After giving the children figures relative to tho campaign on the Peninsula, the headmaster (Mr. H. W. Jackson) said that Gallipoli had shown that the men who had fought there were equal in bravery to any soldiers who had ever fought in the history of the world;. they had done everything that it was possible for men to do. Major Sandlc dealt with the campaign from the landing to the evacuation, and told the children in simple language what difficulties had been encountered and what odds overcome. “It is your duty,” he said, “to do what is right by tho cause of the country and your own just inclinations. This country belongs to what we call the British Commonwealth of Nations. There are people in this country who would like to see that Commonwealth broken up. If this Empire breaks up it will be disastrous, not only to this country and others in the Empire, but to the world, and it is your duty, when you grow up, to do everything you can to prevent the Empire from breaking up.” Mr. A. Penketh, chairman of the school committee, in returning thanks to Major Sandlc, asked the children, when they grew up, to see that war never occurred pgain. Suitablo hymns wero sung by tho children, and three recitations were given.

COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL

Tho speaker at College Street School for the Anzac Day commemoration, was. Rev. C. 8. Matthews, who, taking .tho initial letters of College Street. School— C.S.S. —pointed out that they also stood for courage, sacrifice and service. The fathors and mothers of war days had been, courageous, and ho wanted the boys and girls of to-day to be courageous, so that the sacrifices made during the war might not have been made in vain. The speaker pointed out ways in which boys and girls of to-day could also serve, and urged them to do things

and not just talk of them. There was something better than dying for one’s country, and that was living for it. Many people were looking for better methods, but he was looking for better boys and girls, who -would be better men and women. A nation’s power was in its children, and he would like to see the teachers encouraged in their great task of training New Zealand’s youth. Prior to the address the headmaster (Mr. W. A. Swinbourn) emphasised the reason for observing Anzac day, while Colonel J. H. Whyte (chairman of the school committee) introduced Eev. Mr. Matthews to those present. The National Anthem, Kipling’s “Recessional," and the “Children’s Song” were sung by the pupiLs, and Dorothy Whyte recited “In Flanders Field.”

THE TECHNICAL SCHOOL.

There Avas a short service for Technical School pupils yesterday morning in the Congregational Hall. The director (Mr. G. G. Hancox) read the 4Gth. Psalm and emphasised the nature of the occasion as a tribute to the memory of those ay ho had made the supreme sacrifice, and more especially those Avho had been old boys of the school, their names being read while the pupils stood in silence. Eev. J. D. McArthur stated that ho had selected a few works from the Boole of Joshua as the basis for his remarks. Joshua had desired that stones should be set up in memory of an important page in the history of Israel, and that the people should learn their meaning. Although the revorenco and deep feeling of their ciders might not be felt by the younger generation in remembering Anzac Day, said Mr McArthur, they should learn its historical, significance. War was futile and the nations Avere still paying the price for it. “What mean ye by these stones?’’ Anzac called to mind a wonderful event, and if it was to continue to bo observed as a sacred day, its significance should be clearly understood. It was meaningless as a holiday, but should be full of remembrance as a holy day. Meaning should be put into sorrow. Anzac Day enabled the people to put God more completely into thei?

minds. Ties of common friendship, common love, and common interest should bind the world together. The reason for the Anzac service was that death could not stop the upward climb of men who believed in God, It was to our shame that we allowed others to be path-finders, then erucilied them and subsequently erected monuments to their memory. The meaning of memorial stones was that the nation which shrank from pain died. The facing ot pain or death was recorded where there was no forgetfulness. Mr McArthur spoke of the heroism associated with the landing at the Dardanelles, and the challenge loft behind to others to “carry on.” The Anzacs' sacrifice should not be in vain, and the memorials should be memorials both of remembrance and instruction. The service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SERVICE

A special Anzac service will be held in Emmanuel Congregational Church. Broadway, on Monday evening at 7.30, when. Andrew Johnston, the blind soldier, will be the special speaker. The Great War called Mr. Johnston from his father’s peaceful farm, and in France an enemy shell plunged him into lifelong darkness. Despite a handicap which one might think unbearable, Mr. Johnston is a bright and forceful speaker and lias something to say to the men and women of these days. His subject will be "Men, the Burning Need of tho World.” Mrs. Johnston will render a solo, and a wann welcome is extended to all.