KAITAIA

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 30, 27 April 1934, Page 1

KAITAIA

A feature of the Anzac Day Service at Kaitaia, was the increased attendance of the public, and of the returned men themselves, showing that the interest in the service and the meaning behind that service is not waning as the years roll by —now nineteen years since that memorable day, April 25, 1915 when New Zealand entered upon its manhood. The number of wreaths to be placed on the graves of the returned men buried in the Kaitaia Cemetary was also greater than last year. During the service, appropriate hymns “O God our Help”, ‘‘The Supreme Sacrifice” and Kipling’s Recessional “Lest We Forget”, were sung, and the National Anthem at the close of the service, the Rev. W. H. Nicholas leading in the prayer and pronouncing the benediction. In bis opening address the Chairman, Mr. D. Archibald senr., explained how the word Anzac had been coined from the initial letters of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac Day was a national day and throughout New Zealand and Australia commemoration services were being held. The word Anzac commemorates the courage, sacrifice and service of the Australians and New Zea-

landers. The keynote of Anzac Day should not be mournful, but we should look forward and make ourselves worthy of the heritage that was ours. Mr. F. Holder,'representing the Mangonui County Council, in the unavoidable absence of the County Chairman, stressed the need for oarrying through the years the thoughts and ideals of Anzac Day and that generations yet unknown would carry out the traditions of Anzac. ‘'‘Lest we forget” was the main theme of Mr. J. B. Reynolds’ words. In these years of disillusionment, the aftermath of the war that was fought to end wars we need the words “Lest we forget”. Anzac Day is not a day of mourning hut a day of remembrance. We should not forget the British ideals for which the men of Anzac fought and died. This was the day on which our country received its baptism of fire —the day on which it grew to manhood. We who are left and those who follow after must not lose sight of the great ideals of our race, but in all our actions “Be British”. ‘‘We are gathered here to give honour to whom honour is due,” were the Rev. A. Johnston’s opening remarks. Honour to all the men and women who took part in the great war. The men who went from these shores during those years of war were heroes, and we in this aftermath of war should he heroes of peace, if we carry on and make this world as those who made the supreme sacrifice would have it. We are engaged in a war of peace—the weapons of trade restrictions and enmity among tiie nations are just as deadly as in War—we have millions starving in a world of plenty. I firmly believe that the younger generation in the world to-day are sick of war and its wholesale murder. We have a noble heritage but we need to re-assert the old faiths if we are to stand as a nation—the faiths of mortality, truth, charity and courage. We must cling to Christian ideals and we can look forward fearlessly to the future of our great nation. Let us dedicate ourselves to the children of this world, let us give them the chance they deserve. There are still men, women and children who are suffering through the war—the care of these is a charge laid on us, and we should prove worthy of that charge. After these impressive addresses, the Last Post was sounded by Mr. E. Hansen. Mr. D. Archibald Jnr. presided at the organ. The Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scou’s, Territorials and Returned Men formed up outside the building and marched to the cemetery, where wreaths were laid on the graves of returned men who are buried in both the Anglican Church and the Public Cemetery. The parade also marched to the school where the Roll of Honour is hung. A collection was taken and the sum realised, £3-10/-, together with the £5 Mr. D. Rutledge already has in hand, will be used to concrete the graves of the returned men buried in the local cemeteries. The Chairman, Mr. D. Archibald said that he desired to thank the proprietors of the Northland Pictures for the free use of the hall, and Mr. S. Saunders who had through the year tended the graves of returned men in the cemetery. * * * * A special Anzac service was held in St. Saviour’s Church, Kaitaia, on the evening of Anzac Day, when special hymns and lessons were taken and an inspiring address was given by the Rev. B. Prior Williams. A collection amounting to £1 has been handed to Mr. D. Rutledge for the fund to concrete the soldiers’ graves.