ANZAC DAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17299, 26 April 1918, Page 6

ANZAC DAY.

A PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION.

In tho evening a patriotio demonstration was held in the King's Tneatre, ajid was presided over by tho Mayor (Mr J. J. Clark). Tho returned soluierc nnireJied m pi cictcjsion to the theatre, and occupied lront seats. The hall,'which was packed to tiie doors, was decorated with national and allied Hags, and on t.lu: front of tho platform Komo beautiful pot plants were displayed. Ihe Mayor had seated with him on tho platform Misses "M. Downie Stewart, Jean Burt, and Itattriiy, Colonel E. It. Smith, Lieutenant-colonel Moir, Chap-lain-major Dutton, Captains Harrison and G. 1 1 . -Vlycrs, Lieutenant M'Croric, Councillors Bikick, Sineock, Lunn, Bradley, and Scott, tho Rov. W. A. Hay, Messrs S. Solomon, K.C., A. Htonebam, and others. Tho proceedings opened with tho singing of tho National Anthem, led by the Duncdin Orphans' Orchestra, under tho baton of Mr G. B. L.iidlaw.

Tho Mayor, in an interesting and stirring address to tho returned men, said it was with the greatest pleasure that they welcomed our battle scarred and war worn citizen soldiers on the anniversary of the marvellous landing and fierce, glorious fight °- three years ago on Gallipoli. It was a matter of sincere regret that there was no hall in tho c.ity that would hold tho thousands of people who would liko to havo been thero to honour our returned men. But those present represented tho whole people of this dominion, who joined in expressing- their admiration for their glorious achievements and splendid heroism. Ho knew that the sincere and heartfelt thanks of all loyal and true-hearted people were given to them, "for," ho added, "wo don't forget tho debt wo owe to you men who fought and suffered for us." Ho confidently anticipated that long before next Anzac Day comcs, tho people of this city wouid have shown their admiration and gratitude to their soldiers in a tangible and practical way, by seeing they had a homcshelter, a club of their very own, whore they might fight their battle over again and plan other notable, though more peaceable, achievements. This anniversary should be regarded as New Zealand's proudest day, for in tho grey dawn of April 25, 1915, the men of the silver fern and golden wattle made the lands under Sie Southern Cross famous in the Empire's history. In one day New Zealand attained nationhood by the splendid heroism of her sons. It was sometimes said that we were apt to overrate the work of tho New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli. 110 asked them to listen to what au Englishman who knew said: — Masefield, the historian of Gallipoli, WToto of the New Zealand and Australian soldiers , at the landing. "No army in history has made a more heroio attack; no army in history was over set such a task. Theso men achieved a feat without parallel. No other troops in the world could havo made good those beaches on April 25." He asked: Should wo not bo proud of the men of Anzao? Thev achieved that day, and on many another, tho impossible, and the history they mado would over be one of the treasures of the Empire. No words could toll the full story of the devotion and heroism of those men. The landing was magnificent, but the whole story of those ghastly months at Anzao was the story of magnificent heroism, endurance, and valorous deeds. But Gallipoli was the commencement of our soldiers' work. On the blood-stained fioids of Franco, in tho dossxts of Egypt., and in the storied fields of Palestine tlicv had bome their part v.-' 1 '! the gallant and chivalrous men of our Empire. Their deeds wore enshrined in our hearts, and by their deeds of bravery and resolution they had written their names high on the blazoned scroll of fame. They were numbered among the bravest and truest soldiers of the Empire. Who had not thrilled with pride when they read the other day how our soldiers 1 '""<1 the fierce, stunning rash of the German masses. The bald, brief cables gave us a glimpse of the wonderful story of how those soldiers, with that cheery optimism, which soared exultant above all dangers and difficulties, faced tremendous odds and won the day. Tho spirit of Anzao still animated tho men of tho later reinforcements, and they united in giving honour to thorn. They were engraving tho name of New Zealand still higher on the wall of fame. "But there were somo," he feelingly said, "who will not come book. They "fought, they suffered, they died that we might live. With reverenco and gratitude we give them honour. I have no words to express tho debt we owe, the lovo wo bear to those who, nobly fighting, nobly fell. Th-y fomarht as brave men and died as heroes. They are dead, but thev live, and will live on for ever, in the hearts and lives of all who valuo glorious deeds and magnificent sacrifice.

Eternal honour give, Hail! and farewell To those who died In that full splendour of heroic pride That wo might live. "These great men are dead. In the midst of buttle, in the din of conflict they found peace. But to us now come messages like battle calls blown from death's palo realm, bidding us keep our courage high and have but one cry, Victory; one vision, Our Country; and one ideal, Eight. Topi ght I thank our noble dead, not only for you but for myself for all their brave and splendid deeds. I have but one sentiment for our soldiers living or dead. Cheers for the living: tears for the dead. To-day we celebrated the third anniversary of our glorious day with brighter hearts and cheerier voiccs, for we believe that the fierce and tragic battle of the last few weeks was bringing the linal and complete crushing of the Germans very near. There was lots of .sunshine coming very soon. Never during the past three years and a-half has there been such good reason for confident certainty that the final smashing blow that will crush ttie Hun was soon commg. Each clay we saw more clearly than beiore that the Allied armies were surely, if slowly, wearing down and breaking the German. Step by step our armies were marching to victory, lie believed they could not fail. The splendid heroism, infinite sacrifice, indomitable determination, and magnificent optimism of our men, supported by the sagacity, skill, and prudence of our leaders v lU ere long bring this ghastly war to a successful conclusion." Ho said ho could not conclude without referring to the other soldiers and sailors of the Empire, who had fought so bravely, neither could t.hey forget the men of the glorious 29th Division, who fought so bravelv on Galiipoli.— (Loud and prolonged cheers). The Rev. VV. A. Hay said lie considered it a great privilege to be permitted to say a fow words to the men of Anzac. When the history of this great war came to to written he had no doubt that the story of the landing on Galiipoli would be one of its brightest and most illustrious pages. Tliis was going to have a good efi'cct on future generations. He believed that it was some such similar trial that gave to America tho quality which she possessed to-day. The quality would certainly pass into the composition of our children and make thcim better citizens. He asked them to realise what Anzac was to New Zealand, and what great days of battle and victory had been to Great Britain. The making of the do minion was being accomplished on fields of renown. They honoured tho fellows who si'.eep 011 the slopes of Galiipoli, and they were in tho keeping of their comrades with whom they fought shoulder to shoulder. They fought for all that made life brave and strong and clean, and they died for it. Those present ought, in common honesty, to livo for the same thing. There were people who were always ready to discredit returned soldiers. They seemed unable to discriminate between the worthy and the unworthy, and they took the small minority for the average typa. They owed it to the fellows whom they loft sleeping on the shores of Galiipoli to livo worthy lives. They could not afford to be discredited. There was much piffle talked to them by silly folk abou't their amazing experiences. These people talked for talking's sake. The truth was they acknowledged that they had done their duty, and that was an end of it; but thoy wero going on doing their duty. Some people were still saying this wax was brought on us for our sins. Ho sa.id, unhesitatingly, "Nothing of tho sort." We need not have gone into the war. We ohoso to enter it for the sake of others, and we felt a. warm glow at the thought that wo had maintained a good consoienco in this matter. We would have sinned if wo had stayed out. Wo wero retarding tho war by drinking, racing, and gambling.—(Applause.) There was no denying that, when people saw a man in uniform, drunk, and when child Ton saw him, did it not give the show away? Let them sweep these things out of tho way of victory. They were the fellows to do it, they who loiew what war was and what -was our weakness. There were two fears. Tho first was that Britain was decadcnt. and the second was that a premature pence might eventuate. Ntvtlier had materialised, and the men before him had helped to disnel both fears. Now a third fear loomed up: wonld oil this wtcrifie"—the gif'ng of l'fe and wealth—bo for nothing? ~ Were things to be no purer and life no holier after all this dust and strife o? contention? They had to answer that. " We were not any better thftn we ought to bo," said the epoaicr, " err 00 good," but Im* pcc £ «<rrod tho

light of Britain's Empire to the light of any other empire.—(Applause.) Without hoast or mock humility, wo had something which others had not. We have it in trust, and call it what they liked—national genius or divine favour. Wo had a creator instalment of tho idcul kingdom in our nation than had been vouchsafed to any other people. We had the protection of i>ast deliverance from all foes, and v/e had the trust of other nations, and the confidence of the weak and helpless. This was our glory and our .responsibility. Matselield spoke of tho appearance of the Anzaos on Gallipoli as of " gods eomo to earth." They had to live up to that judgment of themselves. The spirit with which Britain entered the war, which was to secure free and stable national life, to tho least, significant, wvi-s the spirit which had generally Britain. This could arise only from a rich personal and family Life. They must keep the springs pure, and only thus could they hope to maintain their conspicuous national place. They moist maintain that tradition, or else they would go under. —(Applause.) Surgeon-captain Harrison (president of the Returned Soldiers' Association) thanked the members of tho Women's Patriotic Association for what they had done for the boys, and particularly for tho excellent tea provided for the men who had paraded that afternoon. lie referred to the growth of tho Returned Soldiers' Association, which now had a membership of 800. The object of tho association \v;ls to help the returned soldier. In tho early days of tho war the returned man was landed, but as each boat load of returned men came along ho got less and l less attention from tho public. This should not be so. He had seen theso men fight, he had seen them in sickness, and ho had seen them die, and ho knew their good qualities. The association was going to build a club for these men. _ There might not be any urgent necessity for it just at present, but when demobilisation took place there would be a great necessity for it. It had been said that tho money would be better util'sed if sent to the men at the front. He did not agrco with that. Tho men at the front were well looked after. Tho sick men even got chicken and champagne. He wanted to see farmers and others who had profited by the war give a portion of their profits, or the whole of them for that matter, to the Returned Soldiers' Memorial Club. Ho concluded by paying a warm tribute to tho self-sacrificing work done by tho nurses at tho front, a referenco which evoked' hearty applause. The Mayor announced that the public would be given an opportunity to-day (Friday) of assisting tho returned soldiers. During the courso of tho evening an excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music was contributed, also a musical monologue by Mrs Iw Mazengarb. Hie foljowing were the contributors: The Dunedin Orphans' Orchestra, Mrs R A. Power, Messrs Scott, Cameron, Gilchrist Angell. and Mearns, and Corporal M'Nish. MiArthur Pacey was an efficient accomparrst. All the items were encored. By way of an encore, Mr S. G. Angell sang a new song, entitled "America's Reply, the Mayor announcing that the music was by Mr G. B. La : dlaw, and tho words bv Mr T F. Hart. _ The demonstration concluded with the singing of a. verso of the National Anthem, and the giving of three ringing cheers for tho men at tho front. SCHOOL SERVICES. About 450 pupils of tho George Street School, with their teachers and the members of tho School Committee, assembled in the gymnasium to hear addresses by tho Rev. Messrs Jupp, Evans, Wallace, and Oxbrow in commemoration of Anzac Day. Appropriate hymns wfero sung. Interspersed between the singing were addresses by the different ministers, that of Mr Jupp laying stress, in an apt manner suitable to his young audience. on the ideals which the great historic deed of the Anzacs on the 25th April left- them to learn from and to live, up to. Tho children expressed their appreciation and understanding of the appeal with spontaneous and vigorous applause. The meeting was closed by singing the National Anthem, including the special verso which expresses the prayer that our splendid men may have the protection of God.

The committee of the North-East Valley School arranged for a service at 10 a.m. in the local Presbyterian Church. About 450 children attended, and adults filled the remaining space in the chu.ch. The Rev. R. E. Evans conducted the Stirring addresses were civen by the Rev. S. Morris, and the Rev. J. R. Nelson, and Mr Duncan Wright addressed the children. The singing of the children was a special feature of the service. The chairman and members of the school committee were on the platform, and Mr R. K. Macfie was at the organ. The service was one of 'the of its kind ever held in NorthBast Valley. PORT CHALMERS. In common with other centres tlrroughcmt the dominion, church services were the main feature in connection with Anzac Day at Port Chalmers Flags were flown from public and private buildings and from the sh pping in the harbour. A public sen-ice was held in the Town Hall at 11 a.m., over which the Mayor (Mr J. Tait) presided. The _ members of the local Ministers' Association were also on the platform. Mr Tait opened the service with prayer, and the audience joined him in saymg the Loid's Prayer. The Rev. W. M. Grant read portions of Psalms exx and_cxxi, and prayed for the Divine blessing on our soldiers and for spocdy victory. Prayers were also offered by the Rev. S. 11. D. Pexyman and Captain Elfovd,, and a Scripture lesson was read by the Rev. W. M. Grant from the eighth chapter of Romans.

An appropriate and stirring address was given by the Rev. H. B5 Goertz, who said that a greater event than tho Galiipoli landing could never be recorded in the annals of tho country. With all respect to those who might think otherwise, ho experienced no difficulty in expressing himself in tho words: "Blessed be tho Liord our strength, who teachcth my hands to war and my fingers to fight." It imparted strength, taught endurance, and built self-sacrifice into tho character of the man. Their commemoration service that day included the reverential remembering of those i who had gone from amongst them and had made the supreme sacrifice, and l;e had no doubt tint they* too, wore also at the service. Commemoration included intercession, and it should bo to God for wisdom and strength for our men that they might continue to acquit themselves as men in the great struggle in which they 'were engaged. It was our duty to endeavour to emulate their endurance and self-sacrifice.

A collcction was taken up for lied Cross work, and the service concluded with tho singing of the National Anthem. In the evening an united memorial service was held in the Presbyterian Church, the Rev. W. M. Grant presiding. Mr Grant preached from Hebrews ii, verse 13: ''Tlkso all died in faith." An united choir led the service of praise under Mr Walter M'Evvan, Miss Poryman presiding at the organ. The Rev. Messrs Peryman "arid Whyte atsisted at the service.

SERVICE AT GREEN ISLAND

Ansae Da.y was commemorated in tho Green Island Town Hall yesterday. There were about 200 people present, and tho Mayor (Mr John Lindsay) presided. Suitable hymns were sung, and portions of Scripture wore read. A prayer was offered, and tho Rov. Samuel Griffith delivered an address. Tho Mayor moved, and the Rev. ,T. Kilpatr.iek seconded. tho following resolution, which was carried unanimously: — " Thnfc this meeting of the citizens of Green Island on this, tho third anniversary of Anzac Day, desires to express its unbounded admiration of the conduct of all who took part in the landing- on Gallipoli. It could bo desired to place a wreath on the g-raves of all who fell aJid to salute in honour of those_ who had been spared to return." The sinsincr of the National Anthem and the benediction brouprht a very successful mooting- to a close. The local brass band discoursed inusic on tho street boforo tho meeting. SERVICE AT KAITANGATA. The third anniversary of Anzao Dav was commemorated; at Kaitangata last evening by tho holding of a public meeting in the Hall. Tho flavor (Mr T. S. Cairns) presided, and the proceedings were opened by a selection plave;) by Kan efficient orchestra. The _ scripture, Psalms xlvi and exxiv were road by Mr Shnrl man, and then followed a. prayer bv Mr \Y. Stephenson. Addresses npproprir.te to the occasion were delivered by tho Rev. R. M. G. M'Dnwall and Mr 0. S. Pearn. a.nd the solo, "The Holy C'ty" was snnor bv Mr W. Rjinnge. Prayers of intercession for tho iillied ca"se. and for our men in tli« field were offered up, and a number nf ■suitable hymns were sung-, including F\inlincr's "Recessional." 11 io service terminated with the simrnn- of the N'-tiinil Antb"m and the pronouncement of tho benediction. rv fJvnvßTi. Prees Af>°oc:ation—Bv T^Tanl-i—Cn^vrJrrht. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. SVDNVY. Apr : l 25. (Received April 25. at 10.40 p.m.) Ansae Day was celebrated by a parade 'if returned sn'diers, and the greatest ont'vsinsm prevailed at recruitine ra'':es. Intercession Ecrvtsos wcro also hold.