MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 April 1925, Page 5

MOTUEKA

ANZAC MEMORIAL SERVICE

The A ll/ lie memorial service, held on Suturdav afternoon at the memorial, was well attended hy the public.- in? spite of the inclemency of the weather. Major 1). W. Talbot was in command of the parade, (here being a good muster of returned soldier#.

Territorials and cadets did not parade owing to the health restrictions being still enforced. The Methodist choir, under Mr W. Mather, led the singing of the following hymns: "0 Ood our help in ages past.' "God of our Fathers,” “Lead Kindly Light while Miss L. llulbert played tiie organ accompaniments. After the singing of the first Lyinii Mu* chairman. Dr A. R. Green (N./.E.F.), in the course of his remarks said, "Wo have assembled ml this occasion, the 25th April, to do homage to comrades who felt in the Great War.” There were those present who mourned for lost ones . their sorrow was still recent : but he foresaw the time, when people would gather together on these occasions, nut in sorrow, but to rejoice at the great deeds accomplished by the Fallen.” The speaker dwelt on the spirit of fellowship that had existed in the army and remarked that, lie had happy recollections in this respect. Reference was made to a similar spirit of fellowship among the women and to the bravery of the nurses. Dr Green stated that he was proud of the New Zealand army- the men were splendid on attack and also on the defence. Speaking to the children, he reminded them that the 25th of April was the greatest dav of all t ft day to honour tho Fallen, their parents, little New Zealand and their King. The Rev. Robt. Scott read the scripture from 46th Psalm and 55th Isaiah.

Ensign Kingston (Salvation Army) offered up a very impressive prayer. The Rev. 11. Benny (N.Z.E.F.) in his address said, ‘‘This day brings to our remembrance some of the outstanding features of our national life. One is unity. This was seen very clearly by the fine response at the outbreak of war, on the part of both men and women. All the colonies came forward with their aid. It was one of Great Britain’s assets and surely wo are not wrong if We say that this unity brought the victory. If it is to be maintained we must foster the spirit of patriotism. Another feature is security. We are permitted to revel in a wonderful sense of security, when we think of the thousands of young men and women in New Zealand to-day, after the type of our gallant dead. We know that vve would not be praised bv any Parliament acknowledging the Bible and the Union Jack, if we made a vain boast of invulnerability, but. we receive their sanction when placing confidence in the common sense, courage and loyalty of our people. We obtain a. sense of security here. .Still another feature is a high ideal with regard to conduct. The Kaiser was not allowed to do just as he wished. We are profoundly thankful fur the principles of our nation and our men gave their lives that these may be maintained. , V _ The Kcv. ,1. Vospct,’ gave an address as follows: “We have' met- together today to honour the memory of those brave men who landed on Gallipoli as on this day in 1915, and as Dr Green has said, also of all those who gave their lives in the Great War. Those present at the first Anzae Service in St .Paul’s Cathedral. London, were told that, to honour the memory of those who dial, we must be certain in our minds of three things. 1. That, honour is more precious than life. 2. That one crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name. 3. That so far from God disappointing the soldiers, when he dies, Tiemore than satisfies him. We must be able to look to God and say “He asked life of Thee and Thou gavest him a long life, even for ever and ever. We make such unreal thoughts of life after death that we do not desire it. God did not expend all his creative skill on this world with no thought for the next. Do we think a God of love, of moral rectitude could create a mother’s or a wife’s love to no purpose? T.ove cannot die. Our soldiers did not want to die; of course they loved life and they have a long life even for ever and ever. And to-day we remember them before God for they still live. God grant them eternal vest, and may everlasting light shine upon them. “When the one GreatScorer comes,to write against their name He will not write how they lost or won but how they played the game. Long ago One so loved this world, that He gave his whole life in service and sacrifice for mankind. . We honour the memory to-day of those, who for King and country did service in the war, and sacrificed their lives that wo might be a free people. Newbolt beautifully sums up the whole in the words;—

“To keep the house unharmed Their fathers built so fair, Deeming endurance armed, Better than brute despair. They found the secret of the word, that saith Service is sweet, for all true life is death.

So greet- thou well thy dead Across the homeless sea And be thou comforted, Because they died for thee. Far off they served, but now their deed is done. For evermore their life and thine are one/’

The Rev. 11. Benny pronounced the and the service concluded with tiie sirtging of tho National Anthem.

Many beautiful wreaths were received from the following: Mr 11. P. Hudson, M.P.. and Mrs Hudson, Major D. VV. and Mrs Talbot, Captain R. D. Cooper (8.1. M. Ser vice) floral anchor inscribed

Lest ye forget the. sailors,’ who fell in the war,” Inglis family, L. and A. Taylor, 1' rank Smith, Mr and Mrs Geo. Smith, Hilda Thomson, Mr and Mrs L. Everett and family, Mr and Mrs C. Green, Mr A. E. Wickens, Mrs S. A. McTarlane, Mrs C. D. Thomas, Mr and Mrs J. A. Wallace, Mr G. Moore, Mr and Mrs Parker, Parker family. Cottage Hospital, and others not inscribed.

Wreaths were placed on the monument during Die service bv R.S.A. bearers.

•STANLEY: BROOK

TAPAWERA

KOHATU

Anzac services which were largely attended were held at Stanley Brook'. Ta pawera, and Kohatu on Anzac Ilav. They were conducted by tho Rev. \V.*Bcl! of Motupiko. Mr R. p. Hudson. M.I 1 ., kindly came from Mofueka and addressed the gatherings. He spoke of tlie Anzac and implored the people to ever remember the sacrifice : not- to make it a secular day but a day of reverence, honour and me morv.

The children came from the different schools .especially from Tapawera and Motupiko. Mr Hudson spoke to them of the. real meaning of. Anzac. His remarks uere specially applicable to the growing generations.

■These are the best Anzac services held in this place since the war.