ANZAC DAY SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23103, 30 July 1938, Page 14

ANZAC DAY SERVICE

NO CHANGE IN CUSTOM RETURNED SOLDIERS' STAND OBSERVANCE ON APRIL 25 j iiv Ti:r,i:<;it.\i'H nti:ss association] WELLINCTOX, Friday The conference of tho New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association discussed the question of Anzac Day observance on a proposal that the morning should be given to remembrance and the afternoon to rejoicing. The president, the Hon. \Y. Perry, who said he had never held the view that the observance was what it should

he, said his opinion was strengthened by the returned soldiers' vi.sit to Sydney. There came out ol Anzac recognition of nationhood and the Statute ot Westminster, which regarded the Dominions as standing on a par with Great Britain as nations in the Commonwealth- It was recognition of the sacrifices made by the Dominions, and he suggested that the efforts between 191 o and 11)18 which achieved nationhood were a matter for rejoicing. Time was a great healer, he said, and after this lapse of time people felt not so much sorrow hut pride that their sons died for their country. Let them commemorate the memory in the morning and in the afternoon rejoice. He asked the conference not to confuse sentiment with sentimentality. The .Matamata Association's remit advocating no change in the method of observance, provided always that arrangements for services were left to local associations, was recommended in the report of the Anzac Day committee, which was adopted. It was also decided that An/.ac Day should be held only on April 2~>.