The Anzac Spirit

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22725, 11 May 1937, Page 5 (Supplement)

The Anzac Spirit

'J'HE Prince of Wales reached New Zealand just in time to participate in the Anzac Day commemoration services at Auckland. The Duke of York was in Melbourne for the ceremonies, a party of New Zealanders taking part in the memorable march of 25,000 men. On that occasion the Duke made one of the most emotional speeches of the whole tour and its words and sentiment will be treasured. It was as follows : It is a very great privilege to take part in to-day's ceremony to celebrate the landing in Gallipoli twelve years ago of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which has made for ever famous the name of Anzac. 'lhat great feat of arms and the heroic deeds of all who shared in it will be remembered so long as the Empire lasts. They gave their all for the King and Empire, and their sacrifice will remain for ever a shining example of what human will and endurance can accomplish. A memorial to those whom we commemorate to-day lias been raised in Gallipoli—soil for ever sacred to British hearts. But the best and worthiest memorial we can offer them is to seek inspiration from their example, to endeavour to learn the lesson they teach of courage, patience and selfsacrifice, and to consecrate ourselves afresh to those great purposes for which they gave their lives. Therefore, I would beg you to regard this day, not so much as one of mourning for the dead as one of earnest resolve on the part of us, the living, to emulate their example. Let us try to live more worthily of those who made the great sacrifice for us, and to do the utmost that lies in our power to maintain and hand down to the children who come after us those traditions of loyalty, fortitude and devotion to duty which animated those gallant men, and on the preservation of which the whole welfare and security of the Empire depend.