FOURTEEN YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20701, 26 April 1929, Page 9

FOURTEEN YEARS AGO

COMMEMORATION OF ANZAC. FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE. LOCAL CEREMONIES AND TRIBUTES. Anzac Day—the solemn festival of the valiant dead, perennially sacred to the superb valour and devotion to duty which were faithful unto death—has once more come and gone with its attendant train of compelling and consecrated memories. The customary beauty and propriety of the celebration were again manifested in the various tributes and ceremonies yesterday, but an effort was made to subject the deeply mournful note to one of proud remembrance. With every turn of “ the year’s fast-running wheel,” time sheds its softening influence over the poignancy of past tragedies, and the heart inclines more and more towards a wise and serene reticence as a substitute for the reiterated pathetic sentiments that can so easily be turned into bathos, but even to-day, 14 years after the glory and tribulation and high endeavour of that sombre but august tragedy of lost lives, broken bodies and valorous conduct that was enacted on the Gallipoli Peninsula, there are many in whose mourning hearts the hurt has not yet been healed. Thus it is that those who surrendered their loved ones, no less than the men who outlived the time and returned home safely, stand a lip-toe when this day is named.” Nevertheless, notwithstanding the solemnity of the occasion, few will regret the very evident tendency to make grief give way to fidelity of recollection expressed by a “ sorrow not sorrowful.” To track the free spirits of the dead to whatever eternal abode faith or imagination may conjure up for them is infinitely better and less harrowing than to dwell too mournfully on their lonely, resting places in foreign soil. In this way* without any sacrifice of the wistful sentiment which makes a spiritual pilgrimage to that promontory’s altar ”so strangely and tragically sweet, the national grief may be transfigured into an abiding remembrance that will form a fertile soil wherein the glory and grandeur of their names may grow and flourish, neither dimmed nor decreased with the passing years. In yesterday’s services a notable feature was the number of schools that held their own ceremonies. The older generation needs little to remind it of the days that are past, but the youth of the country who knew not the war period have to fall back upon historical imaginings. It is important, therefore, .that they should not be allowed to remain in ignorance of the noblest chapter m the history of their country. They should not be allowed to that Anzac Day does not commemorate or perpetuate the magnificence of old time ” but the glory and greatness of our own day. Deeds of this our own day. Marvellous deeds of our own blood. Sons that their sires excel. This is, and must be for years to come, the mainspring of those ceremonies, religious and martial, in which hundreds bowed their heads in all parts of the city yesterday. It is this fact that has saved the holy, day of Anzac from developing already into a merely historic occasion.

AT QUEEN’S GARDENS. SALUTING THE’ COLOURS. The men formed up at the Returned Soldiers’ Association rooms, and, led by the _ Dunedin Highland Pipe Band, marched in procession by way of Princes street and Lower High street to the Queen’s Gardens, ' where the other units of the parade had already arrived, and formed, up at the base of the war memorial. Led by the Deputy Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas), representatives of the various local bodies, the secondary schools, and a number of retired officers filed past the monument, and immediately afterwards, on the arrival of the Colour party, the parade saluted the colours and stood at attention while the band of the First Battalion of the Otago Regiment • played the “ Dead March.” This was followed bv the “ General Salute," played by the bugle band of the 2nd Battalion under Lieutenant Napier, after which Dr Herrington, who was a field chaplain with the Australian forces, offered up a prayer. The colours were then lowered and volleys were discharged by the firing party,’ the bugle band ploying “ The Retreat " between each volley. “ Abide With Me" was then played by the Artillery Band, and during the playing* of this hymn a large number of beautiful wreaths from local bodies, societies, associations, and private citizens were laid on the foot of the memorial, among them being offerings from the following:—Otago Regiment, 12th Field Battery, Otago Mounted Rifles, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 14th Field Battery, Returned Soldiers’ Association, Toe H (Dunedin), St. Hilda Borough Council, Grand Lodge of Buffaloes, and pupils of the Normal School. Then, amidst an impressive silence, the “Last Post” rang out, followed by the “Reveille” and the raising and breaking of the Flag. The Colour party then retired, and the parade moved off, headed by the Ist Battalion Band, into Princes street, and so to the Oval, where the territorial units were dismissed, the returnee’ soldiers marching on to the Kensington Drill Hall. The following was the parade state: — Returned soldiers, 450 (Lieut-colonel J. M'Crae was in charge of No, 1 Company and Captain E. J. Anderson in charge of No. 2 Company). South African veterans, 33, Returned Soldiers’ Choir, 32. Dunedin Pipe Band, 24. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserver-One officer and 56 men. Artillery Band, 29. 12th Battery—Four officers and 83 men. 14th Battery—Five officers and 80 men. Otago Mounted Rifles—Seven officers and 47 men. 12th Otago Regiment—Twenty-two officers and 416 men. Ist Cadet Battalion —Six officers and 606 men. 2nd Cadet Battalion—Ten officers and 203 men. KENSINGTON DRILL HALL. AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE. ' The memorial service at the Kensington Drill Hall, which was attended by about 6000 pepole, was of a most impressive nature. The service was opened by the St. Kilda Band playing "The Great Little Army ” (Alford) and the hymn " God of Our Fathers,” followed with an accompaniment by the band. The Rev. A. Mead (C.F.) offered prayer, and those present joined in repeating after him the Lord’s Prayer. Mr A. M’Hutchon, president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, who acted as the chairman, then delivered an address. He said that while their ceremony that day was a solemn one, let them mingle with it an element of thankfulness. .The day had been declared a sacred day for remembrance and reflection. Let them ponder solemnly in their hearts the great events that had made their nation what it was. Surely it was not too much to ask that on one day in the year they should give earnest -attention to the contemplation of those great deeds which had placed British ideals in the van of civilisation. Let them rejoice that day, and express with no uncertain feeling that they lived in an age hallowed by the sacrifices of the past. They had assembled to pay

tribute to the memory of those who during the years 1914-1918 had left these shores and paid the supreme’sacrifice in defence of the • liberty and freedom of the great Empire to which they were proud to belong. Some slept on a foreign soil, and some slept in their own land—--0 valiant hearts, who to your duty came, Throng dust of conflict and through' Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtues proved. Your memory hallowed in the land you loved. fw reater no man than this: that a man should lay down his life for has friends. Time had tempered their sense of loss, and yielded in its place an intense sense of gratitude, and, he trusted, 1. ng sense 0 f re gp one ibiHty. Already a generation was growing up * C j y ar wa s only an unhappy tblm leß3ons meaningless. Let them that day commemorate in a spirit ot quietness and confidence the sacrifice, hut fnr purpose of glorifying war, j I the P ur P°se that they might be of the existence of those sublime issues for which J;,. 6 . ?" ar nad been waged and won, and ; J 1 ' !VGr £. the basis of onr national exKnowledge was above all things necessary if they were to rise to the Empxre a purpose. Knowledge corrected the too frequent tendency to boast which *v S ult ignorance. But woffid y «ui U t ie fi, their na . tional history it p V„ d s P? a h kke a voice of the priast?lngth. Wele the Empire ' s life and „ conceived their Empire to be * +K ach vf f s, r , tbe acquisition of ™tV* ei1 ’ hke - Babyl , on and Rome, it a T a ?- ln weakness and decay; ment to be an instrukind6 m the red '«mption of mantnrv something new in history with a future of progress and permanence How better, then, could they anrnn P /n d s y by resolving to take f t p ™ p '» Pmde in Imperial achievement, r Wf?, far too wonderful a history, far 1 °1 strug ?l e ’ ?f discipline, of progress, to be aught else than the history f. Peop, l ? designed to enlighten -the h-ahjL v Thls natl 9 n of theirs Jiad been " v bl ; war and peace, fay fortune and to . teach humanity that tyranny oppression wvire not based on prinaod hfought destruction. Fourteen :h ! f us , tralla n and New Zealand Division had landed on Gallipoli, entered on a great enterprise, and the birth of FnTL^ atlo -F und l r * h « Southern Cross. nfM Wltb , a • heritage of the spirit of freedom, derived from the early P'° aeers of these lands (a freedom, per- & lh P l - older countries* of war *£ ey had entered into the war with zeal and devotion worthy of Gallipolf US hiir 0 fi^il 11 s ? euri ? B failure at irampoli, but finally in victory when ' f ! rred *5 other fields of action. Their comrades had passed on, but they took pr ?P- er pr J de >9 their deeds. d ii. So - ors they honoured the memory of their comrades. They knew wTv? Band 8 and were proud of their feli P **u la ? y , broken in health to-day tb* d r d ir iei r help ' them he proud of the Gallipoli epic of heroism. Let them rejoice that they were members of that great commonweaith of nations, the British Empire, with its free institutions, and privileges. Let them rejoice m its record of achievement, because they f \ was Joined with great moral i rc !v*' them cultivate that spirit 0 1, - i? lva ry i- and fiense of fair play By which a nation was best protected, for if *he y did not do so they might be conpelied to sit down to a banquet of consequencee. War was a grievous crime, but apathy and neglect of our privileges a E d oppo itumhcs was' surely a greater offence. The speaker concluded his ad- , dress by quoting President Lincoln’s famous address at Gettysberg. A scripture reading by the Rev. A. Mead fol owed, the Returned Soldiers’ phoir, under Mr J. T. Leech, sang “ Peace to the Souls of the Heroes ” and the audience joined in singing “Fight the Good -bight./ The main address of the afternoon waa then delivered by the Rev. W. M'Lean, C.F., of Oamaru, who said:— “On Anzac Day, we salute the sacred dead, who went and who returned not. That being so, it is inevitably a day of poignant memories. But that should not make it a day of gloom. They whom we honour would not have it so, for they went with songs to the battle, and heaven is now full of their laughter. It ought to be a day of proud thanksgiving for that deathless army who gave their all in defence of things they held dearer than life itself, and a day of invincible hope. The scarlet poppy which we wear as our flower of remembrance symbolises their sacrifice/ They poured out the red sweet wine of youth for us and generations un-

born. They made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. But if they could speak to us, they would urge us not to forget their com-rades-in-arms, each one of whom was a potential sacrifice, and especially those who returned from war sadly handicapped for the stern battle of life. A grateful people has done much' for them, and is still mindful of them, as the success of your Poppy Day appeal indicates, but none of us dare slacken his efforts on their behalf, lest they come to say;— In Flanders fields we do not lie. Whore popples grow and larks will fly For ever singing as they go. Above the bodies, row on row, Of those whose duty was to die 1 We are the maimed. Death did deny Its solace. Crippled, blind, we try To find on earth the peace they know In Flanders fields. Forget us not!' As years go by. On your remembrance we rely. For love that sees the hearts below Our broken bodies. Else we grow To crave the peace of those who lie In Flanders fields. That is a sufficient reason why all returned soldiers should stick together in their associations. Both justice and mercy demand it. Nor would the dead have us forget their mothers and fathers and others who must go softly all their days, because of their tremendous sacrifices, the price of which they must pay right to the very end, and, indeed, all who by service or sacrifice of any kind made victory possible. When that brave martyr nurse, Edith Cavell, was about to face the firing squad, she said: “I am glad 1 am dying-for England. There women are sacrificing their husbands, brothers, sons! I only my life,” That was the spirit of our men, who made much more of the sacrifices of the folk at home than of their own. Our war memorials and our services of commemoration have been tar, I feel, too silent concerning these sharers in service and sacrifice. Then, if Anzac Day means all this, does it not mark the birth of New Zealand as a nation? It was during the dark years of war that our national consciousness, which had been slowly developing since the day the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, emerged from the shadows into the clear light of day. The common service and suffering, our common sacrifice and sorrow, welded us, peoples of many national descents, into a unity, so that our life became a collective memory, a collective hope, a collective obligation to cherish the traditions and realise the ideals of a new nation conceived in sacrifice and dedicated to the service of all nations. Our heroic dead flung out their challenge to us to play our part in the life of the world. If ye break faith with us who die, We shall not sleep, though popples grow lu Flanders fields. And as we think of the places where many of them lie we recall that the scarlet poppy, our flower of remembrance, and the blue cornflower, Germany’s floral emblem, blossomed' side by side in fraternal beauty, knowing nothing of the bitter hatreds of men. That fraternal beauty points our task—to achieve race reconciliation, to eliminate the causes of war, to establish peace in the earth. Then let us cherish and propagate the peace sentiment, remembering that there is only one thing stronger than armies and navies—namely, an idea whose time has not fully come. Let us not imagine that we can frighten people into peace by picturing to them the horrors of war, any more than people can be frightened into heaven by being confronted with the torments of hell. It is bad psychology, bad ethics. Rather, let ns seek to create a love of that peace which is the reward and the fruit of righteousness. Fair dealing, understanding, sympathy, kindly forbearance between man and man, class and class, nation and nation, is the only way to universal and enduring peace. Then let us walk in that way. We owe it to our dead. We owe it to our maimed. We owe it to our bereaved. We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to our God.” Fifteen years ago they had accepted a great challenge, and, as “The Song of the Irish Army ” put it, " had shouldered their guns like gentlemen.” In conclusion, he could not do better than quote the last verse of this stirring song.— Then lift the Hag of the Last Crusade, And fill the ranks of the Last Brigade! March on to the field whore the world’s re-made. And the Ancient Dreams come true! “ 0 God, Our Help in Ages Past ” was sung and wreaths from the following were then laid on the_ cenotaph:—The Returned Soldiers’ Association, Returned Sisters, City Council, Otago Hospital Board, Otago Harbour Board, St. Hilda Borough Council, West Harbour Borough Council, Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Otago Patriotic Association, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., Red Cross Society, St. John Ambulance Association, Early Settlers’ Association, League of Nations’ Union (Dunedin branch), Navy League, Dunedin Rotary Club, Otago University Council, Otago Girl Guides’ Association, Dunedin Division Boy Scouts, Council of Christian Churches, British Expeditionary Force, South African Veterans’ Association, Otago Regiment, Service Lodge, Otago District, A.0.F., South Otago District I. Loyal Orange Institution, Macandrew Road School, Returned Soldiers’ Choir. _ A number of private wreaths was also laid on the cenotaph. The “ Last Post ” was played' by the 2nd Cadet. Battalion Trumpet and Bugle Band,_ the Rev. A, Mead pronounced the benediction, the “ Reveille ” Was sounded and the service concluded with the playing of the National Anthem by the St. Hilda Band. CHURCH SERVICES. ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL. The annual citizens’ service of commemoration was held in St. Paul’s Cathedral yesterday evening. There was a attendance of the public, and there also present the Deputy Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) and councillors, officers of the Otago military district, members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the St. John Ambulance and other organisations. The special music was rendered by Mr E. Heywood, the cathedral organist, and the cathedral choir assisted by the Band of the Ist Battalion, under Lieutenant Asten. The first part of the service was taken by the vicar. Canon Nevill, and the second part by the Rev. W. Hardy Johnson. Then followed the hymn “For All the Saints.” The sermon was preached by the Rev. J. H, Rogers. He said that faith was the dominant power in life and in that faith the soldiers died on Gallipoli. The foundation of their courage was faith in their leaders andcause. That faith begat loyalty and unity in every branch of the service. Self waa effaced altogether; self was nowhere, the army everything. In this spirit the impossible was done. Anzac Day bade them remember the voices of those who died. They had a message to all Christians, bidding them fight against sorrow, misery, and sin. What, then, about the Church of to-day? . Dunedin was a fair city, but it had heights in it'too, sin of every kind, and those heights would only be won by their own efforts. Were they content with Church institutions only, or were they reaching out to the lost outsiders as well? This was not only the parson’s job, any more than it was the officers’ job to take the heights, it was the layman's job just.as it was the soldiers’ job to win the fight. The layman, not the parson must take those heights of evil to-day. If their soldiers were content to say it was very sad, they would never have conquered. Every layman was a soldier, and might take the Anzac lesson to conquer the heights of evil around them. The speaker adjured every layman to feel that it was his work not to leave evil to the parson to fight by himself, but to join the army of faith, and each do his bit of the fighting After the sermon the offertorium was played by - the band, after which the benediction _ was pronounced. Two verses of the National Anthem were sung, also the congregational hymn, “Ail People That on Earth do Dwell.” The service waa concluded by the “Last Pest” and “Reveille” played with beautiful effect from the crypt. The special lesson “ The Souls of the Righteous are in the Hands of God, ’ from the Book of Wisdom, was read by the Rev. Lionel Richards, vicar of Anderson’s Bay. KNOX CHURCH. A united Anzac service waa held yesterday morning in Knox Church under the auspices of the Council of Christian Congregations. The Rev. W. A. Hamblett, president of the Council of Christian Congregations, conducted the devotions.

assisted by the Rev. H. B. Bellhouse and the_Rev. C. Maitland Elliss. The congregation was large and representative of all classes of the community. The address was given by the Rev. James Burns, M.A., or London, at present locum tenens of Knox Church. Taking as his subject ‘The Need of a New Fellowship,” the preacher said;—“ This day which we call Anzac Day has become for all people of the Dominion one of the sacred days of the year. It matters not what our opinions may be, be they religious or political, every man and woman who possesses a reverent mind, feels a call to-day which cannot and must not be neglected. What is the Call? First it is a call to turn our faces to the past and to hold in those who in • the terrible war have laid down their lives for us. There are ttiose here whose hearts have been racked with pain and sorrow. Time with its merciful fingers may soften your sense of loss, but it cannot fill the empty places of the heart, and we hold out to you hands of sympathy and loving kindness. It may be that in the dreary years that_ have followed, with all their disillusionment, you may have been tempted to believe that your loved ones’ sacrifice was in vain, that the gigantic expenditure of life and all the heroic sacrifice offered were but thrown to the void and that there was no gain in their death or virtue in their sacrifice. Nothing could be more torturing than such a belief, and I ask you to reject it and never for a moment to give it a place in your heart. No suffering nobly borne is in vain, no death offered for others is without its enriching values. For all suffering and all sacrifice are paid into the bank of humanity, from which we and future generations shall draw for our enrichment. But this Anzac Day means something more to us than a Day of Remembrance, If our faces turn for a while to the past, they also must be resolutely turned to the future. The question which confronts every thinking man and. woman to-day is. ‘How can we build up a better world, where the horrors we have passed through shall not be repeated? ’ This is the tremendous question which I ask you to consider. And I ask you to consider it in all earnestness." FIRST CHURCH.

The Rev. E, S. Tuckwell presided over the evening service at First Church, the principal speaker being the Rev. A, Mead, C.F„ who took as his subject “ Remembrance and Resolution.” Mr Mead said that on that day they remembred the men who gave not only all they had, but all they toped for, and all they might have been. Their future was surrendered as well as their present. They knew them too well to be blind to their faults and shortcomings, but they knew them well enough to recall their signal heroism, cheerful courage, unbreakable endurance, unstinted sacrifice, and their very gaiety in the face of unparalleled discomfort, difficulty, and death. It behoved them, too, to remember those who also offered themselves, but who in the dispensation of things were not called upon to make the “ supreme sacrifice." These were still with us, but they limped through life with blinded eyes, bruised minds, and broken bodies. It had been said that some of these were dead even though they were still* with us. They, too, laid all they had and all they hoped for upon an empire’s altar, though the flames did not. descend and devour their offering. Lest emotion should rush like a torrential rain down a hillside and be lost in a vast ocean, let remembrance be translated into resolution. Those they held in thankful commemoration were the judges.. Thanksgiving, which should abound in the heaits of all could not be real and true unless they sought to emulate the qualities of character they professed to praise. A belief was something they acted upon. Their real beliefs were those things which were born in the heart an 1 mind, to which obedience was given. A man might see a vessel which looked seaworthy and praise it as such, but his real belief in the vessel was demonstrated when he crossed the gangway and trusted himself to it. Into their hands had passed the torch of truth, the flag of freedom, the of peace. It was said that the horrible destructive war was a righteous war{ waged against oppression—a war to end war. That may have been quite true at the time, let them suppose it was. Then, did they still believe in righteousness, freedom, peace? This question was one which evry man, who had- made Anzac Day a day of remembrance, must face. It took courage to ask oneself a question, but a man was all the better for having done so when the ordeal was over. War, the speaker continued, was a relic of barbarianism, inhumanity, madness, ignorance, retrogression, and ineffective instruments for settling disputes. What a triumph for brain, and determination for mind and will, if this generation could relegate war to the shelves of disused things. There might be a difference amongst men as to the way this might be done, but, thank God, the Father of humanity, for the growing convict'on that war was a crime against humanity and the increasing determination there was to_ exterminate it, for unless they exterminated war, war would exterminate them. _ They had been fed long enough on the poisonous ideas that man was a fighting animal, and would always fight; that man was more than an animal, he was a being with reason and conscience. The way through, not round or over, but through the difficulty, was what had to be found, and it would be a sad reflection on human mentality if the way could not be discovered. N.E. VALLEY COMBINED CHURCHES.

There was a larger attendance than usual at the Anzac Day service arranged by the North-East Valley churches, which was held in the Presbyterian Church. Principal A. L. Haddon, president of the Ministers’ Association, conducted the service, and Revs. G. Miller, A. Anstice, K. Andrews-Baxter, and Ensign Bartlett took part. In his address Mr Baxter emphasised the suggestion of the Gover-nor-General that the day should have less of mourning and more of inspiration. For Christians, mourning was unreasonable ancj. selfish. People should realise that death did not alter character; it was the same five minutes after death as it was five minutes before. , The departed enjoyed more of life’s best things and had opportunity for growth and learning. We should aim to be worthy of the sacrifices that Anzacs had *made and to express this through living worthily, through helping the younger generation, and in playing our part in building a better world. . CENTRAL MISSION. The Octagon Hall was crowded last evening for the special Anzac service arranged' by the Central Mission. The Rev. G. B. Hinton conducted the service and spoke briefly on the aims and objects of Anzac Day, and its being rightly observed as a day of sacred memory. About 250 slides depicting the war areas, and incidents of the war. were shown and proved very interesting and instructive. The collection taken at the service has been given by the mission to the Poppy Day fund. Mr W. P. E. Simpson, who prepared the slides, proved a very efficient operator. KAIKORAI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. A memorial service was held in the Kaikorai Presbyterian Church. The Rev. P. L. A. Crampton presided. There was a large attendance, which included 170 pupils from the Kaikorai School and a group of Girl Guides being present. The principal address was delivered by the Rev. Raymond Richards, and the Rev. J. Douglas Smith and the Rev. E. J. Tipler also assisted in the service. SERVICES AT THE SCHOOLS. ALBANY STREET ASSOCIATED NORMAL. An impressive and appropriate service was conducted at the Albany Street School in the presence of scholars and large numbers of parents and friends. Mr W. J. Thompson (chairman of the school committee) presided. Major Falconer was the speaker, and he briefly and interestingly outlined the steps which led to New Zealand’s participation in the Great War. The hymn “For all the Saints ” and the National Anthem were then sung. Three boys belonging to the band sounded the “ Last Post, and representatives of the scholars, the committee, and the Albany Street School Association placed beautiful wreaths on the school’s war memorial. The Albuny Street School Brass Bond, under Bandmaster Hawea, accompanied the singing. MORNINGTON. . The annual Anzac service was held at •the Mornington School Memorial Arch. The school children paraded in full force and there were also present the local troop of Boy Scouts and a very, largo number of residents. The Rev. S. J. Cooper, in an impressive address, re-

minded the children of the meaning of such a commemoration, and the Revs. Trotter, J. Richards, and Pastor Chant assisted. At the conclusion of the service the children, Scouts, and residents passed beneath the arch and deposited wreaths. - FORBURY. A memorial service was held at the Forbury School, Mr J. T. Roberts, chairman _of the committee, presiding. The service was held in the school grounds and commenced with a march past the memorial gates and the salute of the flag. The Rev, D. Heggie delivered aninteresting address on the landing of the troops at Anzac, and the school brass band, under the baton of Mr T. Donaldson, played the music for the march past, and also accompanied the hymns. MUSSELBURGH. Musselburgh School reoogised Auzac Day by the holding of the annual Anzac service in the school grounds. There was a large attendance of parents and friends of the children. Mr E. S. Wilson, chairman of the committee, was‘‘in the chair. After tbe children* had sung the New Zealand National Aqthem and prayer had been offered by the Rev. A. C. Lawry, the Rev. Mr Wingfield read the lesson, and Mr _H. L. Paterson, of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, addressed the gathering, and the Mayor of St. Hilda, Mr R. w. Hall, also spoke briefly. After the singing of the National Anthem, liltte Miss Joan Hamilton placed a wreath on the honours tablet, and many other floral tributes were, added by the residents of the district. Two school boys then stood at the base of the memorial and took the salute from the scholars as they filed past. PORTOBELLO. A commemoration service was held in tbe Coronation Hail, Portohella, under the auspices of the local Ratepayers’ Association. The Rev. Mr Stallard, of Broad Bay, presided, and each of the various churches was represented. Members of the local friendly societies and a number of returned soldiers also attended. A very impressive address was given by the Rev. Mr Tuckwell, of Hanover Street Baptist Church. GREEN ISLAND. Anzac Day was observed in' Green Island in a fitting manner by a very large assemblage of the residents in the Town Hall. The school children, Boy Scouts, and a good representation of the Returned Soldiers’ Association met at the school at 10 o’clock, where, after a short service, wreaths were placed on the school monument, by each section, and also by several of the people present. The children then marched to the hall. At the Council Chambers a procession of cadets, territorials, returned soldiers, and members of the Borough Council, Foresters, Druids, and Protestant Alliance Lodges, beaded by the Municipal Band, marched to the Town Hall, where a memorial service was held, Mr A. E. Ansell, M.P., delivering an address, in which he impressed -on the children present the importance of remembering those who'fell that the rising generation might have the greatest of all heritages—freedom. The Rev. Mr Daniel, C.F., also addressed the gathering, the devotional section of the service being conducted by the Revs. Mr Daniel, Canter, and Dunn. NORTH-EAST HARBOUR. The president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr A. M'Hutcbon) presided over the annual Anzac Day service, which was held under the auspices of the NorthEast Harbour Ratepayers’ Association in the Macandrew Bay Hall yesterday morning. There was a large attendance of residents and children, and, in addition, a troop of Girl Guides and a number of returned soldiers were present. Mr E. J. Anderson was the principal speaker, and the Rev. Mr Applegarth and the Rev. W. W. M'Arthur conducted the devotional service. PORT CHALMERS.

The Anzao memorial service was very largely attended at Port Chalmers. The Kaikorai Band and also the Bugle and Trumpet Band of the Second Battalion Otago Regiment took part. The official church service was an impressive one. The Anzac parade was lined up at the Garrison Hall at 10 a an. Lieutenant L. F, Smith was in charge, and all officers paraded in full dress uniform, the other ranks wearing medals and carrying rifles and side arms. The procession, which was _ marshalled with promptitude and precision, was large, and was representative of local institutions. The firing party, which headed the procession, was followed by the bugle and trumpet band, the Kaikorai Band,, returned soldiers, officers on the reserve and retired list, the Mayor and councillors, territorials, cadets, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and friendly societies. The route was via George street and Mount street ’ to the Presbyterian Church, which, although the ■largest available building in the town, was incapable of seating the big assemblage. The body of the church was reserved for the territorials and other units of the procession. The commemoration service had been arranged by- the Ministers Association, and two members of that organisation—the Rev. J. W. M‘Kenzid and the Rev. W. H, Roberts—conducted the service. The order of service commenced with the singing of “ The Old Hundredetb.” , The Scripture lessons were from Psalm xlvi and Romans vui. The choir sang the anthem “ Crossing the Bar.” The band played a volunand in conjunction with the organ led the singing of “ God of Our Fathers " ?? d National Anthem. The Rev. Mr MKenzie, before the close of the service, referred to the generous assistance rendered for several years by the ■tkaikor&i Band at Anzac anniversaries, i commemoration service was not so lengthy as on some former occasions, hut it was marked by a spirit of reverence and gratitude. The Rev. Mr M'Kenzie lea in prayer, and he expressed appreciation of the sacrifice of those who had given their byes in the war. He prayed that the root causes of war might be eradicated from the hearts of men and trom the aspirations of nations. In conclusion he besought the Divine blessing to comfort _ those whose hearts were sad on the anniversary of their loss. ticJ' hp anniversary sermon, preached by Mr Roberts, a returned chaplain denounced war as a bloodthirsty instinct which had to be superseded by something more sensible if the vision glorious ”of fo°tnl Pe w e V B ,, be realised in the future. War had its uses and defence could not be ignored. The main causes of war in the past seemed to have been (]) national aggrandisement and selfishness: (2) national expansion and need of territory; (3) racial antipathies; (4) trade intomts; (5) religious fanaticism as in the case of Mohammedanism. Anzac Day was to some hearts a day of sorrow, but. as the Governor-General had suggested, its triumph of self-sacrifice might now make it to some extent a . day of glad remembrance. During the past year we had lost Earl Haig, who was a war genius, and in all respects a Christian man. France had lost Marshal Foch, another great Christian soldier and a man of great men worthy of the deepest esteem and respect. The preacher reviewed the forces working for peace mentioning the League of Nations and the Kellogg Pact. Unfortunately, some people did not yet believe that war was unthinkn n u "peacemakers shall be called the Children of God.” The preacher, in conclusion, said: “God spare our children the horrors of war we have experienced. Let us honour our dead and pray to God that the world of war inav be superseded by a world of peace.” After the church service the procession was re-formed and marched to the Cenotaph, on which memorial wreaths were placed. Volleys were fired by the territorials, and the bugle and trumpet band sounded the “Last Post” and the “Reveille” The Rev. W. M. Grant pro nounced the benediction. Lieutenant L Napier had charge of the service band, and Mr J. Kirk Burnnand of the Kaikorai Band. Sergeant-major A. M’Kenzio was officer of the day for Lieutenant L. F. Smith, who was in charge, and carried out the anniversary programme very effectively.

OBSERVANCE AT MOSGIEL. Anzac Day was commemorated in glorious weather in Mosgiel in an impressive manner. At 1.45 a parade of territorials cadets, returned soldiers, and school children, headed by the Mosgiel Municipal Band, marched from Church street to the Soldiers’ Memorial, and the friendly

societies were escorted in procession along Gordon road from the Oddfellows’ Hall to the same destination as the military parade. The gathering encircled the Soldiers Memorial, when the following ceremony took place:—General salute, address by the Mayor (Mr J. P. Walls), and the New Zealand National Anthem sung by the school children. An opportunity was £ jS? p ace florul tributes on tbe steps of the monument. Many beautiful wreaths were handed in. The “Last Post” and Reveille were sounded, and volleys I ” Pl -^ r playin .e a "Highland Lament. The procession then re-formed and marched to the Coronation Hall a commemoration service was held. Mr Walls, after reading the King’s message and referring to the improvements m his Majesty’s health, acknowledged the large attendance. Whatever might be the experience of some centres, he said, MosE *el dld forget. The residents showed continued remembrance and appreciation oi the Anzacs. He referred to the suggestion of the Governor-General that brevity ip the commemoration was advisan.e, that it should be less mournful and more in keeping with the memories of the glory of those who fell and of gratitude for their deeds. He approved heartily of this and hoped their com* memoration would be in keeping with the recommendation. Mr Walls held up the noble example of the Anzacs to the children present. Many of them had not been born at the time of the war, and they had not experienced its horrors. His fer--vent prayer was that they would never experience them. When duty called the Anzacs response had been prompt, though the task meant suffering and sacrifice. In the children's life of peace he exhorted them to take up their task with the same readiness, be it irksome or pleasant. He asked them to remember that there was no. royal road to prosperity. It must be by industry and hard work on tbe part of each and everyone. By such means would our Empire fulfil what he believed to be its great mission—to spread justice, knowledge, and peace. With the blessing of Divine Providence, with wise statesmanship on the part of its rulers and loyalty on the part of its peoples, would this mission be accomplished. One mar: veiled at the spirit and fortitude of the heroes throughout the war who, despite many disabilities, fought on and on. Their courage, their devotion to duty, their endeavours to make tbe world a better place to live in for all nations, might well be set as a standard for his young heroes in their daily lives. Addressing his adult audience he said it was only fitting that he refer once again to the prowess oi the New Zealand' troops in the Great War, who had won lasting fame. It was on Gallipoli, above the beach, which bore their name, that their laurels were first gained. It was there that they set up a standard of bravery, tenacity, and resource, furnishing an example for all who followed them. From the viewpoint of general physique, they were the flower of our manhood, and. as fine a body as ever stood to arms. Some won through the conflict. Others fell. We honoured the memory of the dead, just as we extolled the victory of those who won through. Some of the latter were with them that day, and he thanked God for it. ,-He trusted their lives would never contain a similar experience, After referring at length to the service rendered to the Empire by the Navy and the Army, the speaker said he might well quote a few fainiliar lines, as we mourned to-day those who fell at sea as well as on land:—

Far from the weeping Isle that gave them birth, Their bones rocked by ocean’s restless swell; For them no churchyard with Its hallowed earth, No solemn chant, no hook, no passing bell. Yet sacred Is the spot where sleep the brave In cloistered crypt, or ’neath the tossing tide. Our Empire! such were these; themselves they gave— For thine and duty’s sake; and heroes died.

It might not be known to many that on the walls of the Council Chambers of Mosgiel hung the decorations won in the war by Trooper Wingfield. These were handed to the care of the council some time ago, as the deceased soldier had no relatives here. In addition to this, the council cared for his grave in the local cemetery, where, he felt sure, it only required mention from him that periodically some of the residents would place there a floral tribute. Other soldiers were buried there, but relatives gave their graves attention, and he was sure it only heeded mention to have this attended to.

He asked to be permitted a personal word before closing. Some six years ago he had accepted the custodianship, on behalf _of the residents, of the soldiers’ memorial. As he was now relinquishing the office of Mayor, he passed on the care of it to his successor, and concluded: “ May the purpose for which it stands never be forgotten. May indifference never creep in towards it by the rising generation. May it always be an incentive to them to do their duty to ■ King and country, and may they cherish a fona memory for the men it represents who now, in the words of the well-known song, “can’t hear any more the bugler’s rally; but will hear it again in a glad refrain, when Gabriel’s trumpet sounds the last rally.”

In the ■ procession of territorials, returned soldiers, and cadets and school children, a notable figure was Lieutenant A. Cameron, in full uniform of the old East Taieri Rifles. ■ This veteran appeared to possess all the enthusiasm of his corps of many years ago, and his presence in coloured uniform amongst the khaki-clad young men of to-day was the subject of honourable comment.

A word of praise is due to Sergeantmajor Baldock, Captain Pugh, and the local bands for the success of the parade and ceremony. Everything was carried out promptly and to the letter, and created a very favourable impression. The school children, under the care of Mr Kaye (rector of the Mosgiel High School) eang their anthem well,‘and justified their inclusion in the ceremony. THE COMMEMORATION SERVICE. The Coronation Hall was packed for the commemoration service,, conducted by the Mosgiel Ministers’ Association. The Rev. A. C. Watson presided, and a combined choir, under the baton of Mr M'Bride, led the singing. Miss Murdoch presided at the organ. After the Natioual Anthem, the rev. chairman offered prayer, “ 0 God, Our Help in Ages Past ” was sung, and was followed by Scripture reading by Commandant Lamond. The rev, chairman led in the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, and the Rev. Mr Bayliss offered prayer between the two hymns, “ God of Our Fathers Known of Old ” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” The Rev, Mr Canter delivered the address. His text was from the ninth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, verses 4 and 5. He drew a picture of the trial of Christ before Pontius Pilate. On the one side of the Governor of Judea was the traitor Barrabas and on the other Jesus Christ, the Saviour. Our Lord’s fate was to be decided on the suffrages of the people for whom He had done so much and for whom much was still to be done by Him. It was the two issues—good versus evil. This down the ages was not an item of isolated history.,, This choice between good and evil appeared almost daily in our national, political, and domestic affairs, and the choice would go on till the end of time.. Referring to the part played by our Empire in the war, the speaker said the Empire had been an instrument of God in a war of righteousness. Our men had been compared with the Crusaders. It was a fight of right versus might. God had called us for His purposes. If we were to be God’s people, we could only be so if His divine will was enshrined in our hearts, and if His holy laws were kept in our political, national, personal, and domestic life. The future of our Empire depended on our home life. Our home life to-day will be our national life to-morrow. God’s word should be honoured and revered in our homes, public bodies, etc. Did wo encourage in our children a knowledge of God? Was religion a natural part of our daily life? If not, then it was impertinence to, in trouble, take on the prestige of God’s people. Returning to his text, the speaker referred to the change in Paul when he was strengthened by. the power of God behind him. So would it be with us as a nation. If we observed God’s laws. He would be on oar side. The Chruch had sprung into life from the blood of the martyrs. All that was good and holy was born of sacrifice. So with the Empire: it grew from the blood of thousands shed in her service. The blood of our sons and brothers, whom we commemorated that day, called to us to live our lives in justice and right, to continue to build' up our Empire in the future on the noble lines on which it had been built in the past. The address was followed by the hymn “ Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends.” Mr D. Hanlin read the roll of honour, and the last hymn was "Ten

Thousand Times Ten Thousand, in Sparkling Raiment Bright.” The pronouncing of the benediction closed an impressive service. ST. MARY’S CHURCH, MOSGIBL. A solemn requiem mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 8 a.m. The Rev. Father M’Mahon was celebrant, the Rev. Dr O’Neill, deacon, and the Rev. H. Hyde sub-deacon. The students of Holy Cross College assisted in the sanctuary, and the college choir sang the music of the mass. There was a crowded congregation. At the close Mr G. Lockwood played the “Dead March." OBSERVANCE IN WELLINGTON. SPEECH BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL. (Pis United Press . Association.) WELLINGTON, April 25. One of the largest and most representative assemblages of returned soldiers and the general public since the Anzac Day services were instituted gathered this morning at.. the Cenotaph, opposite Parliament Buildings, where an address was delivered by the Governor-General. (Sir Charles Fergusson) just prior to his laying the foundation stone of the Wellington citizens’ war memorial. We looked on this day now, his Excellency said, in a different light from when it was inaugurated. We thought less of the pain, the agonies, and the miseries of that time and more of the deeds of noble self-sacrifice, and it was right that these should be remembered. “It is but fitting,” continued Sir Charles, referring to Wellington’s war memorial, “that on this day we should inaugurate something which will stand as an inspiration for the generations still to come. It is not that we are likely to forget those who died. Their memories are ever fresh to us, but there are the young people who are coming on, and we are anxious that they should get from this monument some of its inspiration. And what is that inspiration? Is it the call to service? Yes, undoubtedly. We remember how these men went unhesitatingly at the call of duty. Is it the call to noble deeds? Again, yes, for never in the history of the .world has a greater epic been written, and in those noble u€Gas is'inspiration for all, and for Gvery boy and girl. Rightly understood, this memorial will revolutionise mankind.” In illustration of this his Excellency related, a scene at Cambrai in October, 1918, when at the end of four years* occupation, the Germans were driven from it by the Allies. There, at Cambrai, was a large cemetery planned by a German, general. In it were laid without distinction Germans, English, French, Canadians,. Indians, New Zealanders, South Africans,' Australians, Russians, Italians—each crave carefully set out, and having at the head a stone and a cross, cross bearing the name, number, and regiment of the dead soldier. At the west end of the .cemetery was a huge cross, and on it in four languages had been written these words: “The sword divides; the Cross unites.” As the setting sun threw the shadow of this cross over the' cemetery it was an unforgettable scene.'

Remember,” be said, “it was a German general wbo planned that cemetery scene." . Such a scene had in it two messages—a message of great comfort to those who had lost their dear ones, and a reminder of their great love and selfsacrifice. The realisation •of that message would do more to end war than any league or pact or formula. War might be, and, indeed, was inevitable, so long as human nature was what it was. But those things that caused war—jealousy, pride, greed, bitterness —would, if eliminated from the individual mind, react on the -whole people and all nations, and would go a long way towards ending war. The memory of such a scene as he saw at Cambrai would help to do that. “ Those men who have done most to advance the world,” concluded Sir Charles, “have been those who have most loved their fellow-men.” He asked them to remember the words of Lincoln; “.With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness In the right as God rives us to see the right, let us finish the work we are in—to bind up the nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphans, to uo all which may_ achieve and cherish a just and a lasting place among ourselves and with all nations."

MEMORY OF THE FALLEN. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S MESSAGE. (Pe& United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 24. r Sw Joseph Ward’s Anzac Day message “ On the fourteenth anniversary of the memorable landing at Anzac I would like, as Prime Minister, to recall the glorious deeds and sacrifices of our gallant soldiers in the Great War. While we mourn the loss of so many of the.flower of our manhood, not only at Gallipoli, but on tho other battlefields, we take pride in the fact that they worthily upheld the best traditions of our race, and that their name liveth for ■ evermore. It is for all of os to do everything possible to ensure that the tremendous sacrifices l then made have not been in vain, and to strive earnestly to prevent a repetition of such a conflict in the future. The Government 301ns with all the citizens in honouring the memory of those who fell." IN OTHER CENTRES. (Psa United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 25, Anzac Day was observed in dull and showery weather. A great crowd assembled at the Cenotaph outside the Town Hall. Archbishop Averill addressed a crowded congregation at a service in the Town Hall. CHRISTCHURCH, April 25. Anzac Day was observed with the ceremonial that is now regularly followed. There was a parade of territorials and cadets, together with 800 returned men. Afterwards a service was held in the King Edward Barracks, at which Professor Shelley delivered the address, A large number of wreaths were laid at the appointed spot in front of the cathedral. Special services were held in all the churches. The schools mostly held their ceremonial yesterday, but the Boys’ High School had a service with a church parade of the school cadets at the War Shrine in the grounds. The weather was fine throughout the day. HAMILTON, April 25. • j 0 Anzao Day celebrations were held indoors on. account of rain, but many floral tributes were placed on the cenotaph in Memorial Park. Addressing a crowded meeting of veterans, Scouts, Guides, and the general public at the Theatre Royal, Bishop Cherrington said that before long the triumphant aspect of Anzac Day rather than its sad side would be emphasised. Some people were so embittered against war that they wanted to abolish all armaments, but more was necessary. Each one individually had to be converted to the idea that war was wrong. When that had been attained and they communicated the belief to Governments, then they could think that the sacrifices of war had not been in vain. Sincere men desired to show that war had never satisfactorily settled any dispute. PALMERSTON N., April 25. The Anzac Day ceremonies consisted of a parade of returned soldiers, territorials, cadets, and Scouts, followed by a service in the show grounds conducted by the Rev. J. M. Stewart, of Christchurch. The weather was threatening, but it remained fine.

WANGANUI, April 25. The services commemorating Anzac Day were largely attended. The Maori service in Moutoa Gardens marked the first appearance in Wanganui of the Bishop- of Aotearoa, the Rev. F. A. Bennett. Later, at a combined service in Cook’s Gardens, about 7000-persons were present. WESTPORT, April 25. Glorious weather prevailed to-day and a large gathering assembled for the memorial services held in Victoria square. The Mayor (Mr J„. H. Harknese) presided, and the principal address was given by the Rev. J. W. Bloyce. Afterwards, “at a memorial service at the Gates of Remembrance at Victoria square, a large number of wreaths were deposited' by relatives and others, and subsequently taken out to the Orawaiti Cemetery and laid on the graves of soldiers who have - died since they returned home. TIMARU, April 25. The Anzac memorial service to-day was held in fine weather and was attended

by thousands. The parade was composed of returned soldiers. South African veterans, and territorials. Mr C. M. Gilray, of Dunedin, was the principal speaker. Special services were also held in the churches. OBSERVANCE IN AUSTRALIA. IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES AT SYDNEY. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ' SYDNEY, April 35. (Received April 25, at 11.30 pan.) For Anzac Day Australia observed a general holiday, and great: interest was shown in impressive outdoor ceremonies. The cities were beflagged, and stirring speeches were delivered. The nation today worshipped one God, one ideal, and one memory. The observances in Sydney took the form of a march past of 20,000 men with nurses who took part in the Great War, headed by Victoria Cross winners. The procession began in Government House grounds and went along the main city thoroughfares, which were . lined with people, and ended in the Domain, where the united commemoration ceremony was held in the presence of 100,000 persons. The different units formed up to represent the sun’s rays. The Governor, Sir Dudley de Chair, was the chief speaker. Appropriate hymns were sung with the utmost fervour, massed bands providing the accompaniment. The cenotaph in Martin place was almost completely hidden by wreaths placed there by relatives and friends of the dead soldiers. One wreath was to the memory of Robert Hitchcock, the missing aviator, from liis former comrades. A pretty gathering was hrld at Government House, where hundreds of girls of the Junior Red Cross in white frocks brought with them tiny floral tributes to the dead of Anzac, and later placed them at the Gates of Memory, through which the. majority of our soldiers passed on their way to embarkation. A wreath was placed on the cenotaph, at sundown on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand. MELBOURNE’S TRIBUTE. MELBOURNE, April 25. (Received April 25, at 11.30 pan.) / Anzac Day was observed as a close holiday, even the' petrol garages being compelled to shut. Flags were at half-mast. Special services were held at the majority of the ' city and suburban churches. Twenty-five thousand former service men paraded through the city accompanied by bands to. the 1 Exhibition building, where a memorial service was held. Sir John Monash, the famous leader of the A.1.F., led the returned men, and Lord Somers, Governor of Victoria, led the Imperial ex-service men. ' * The Governor delayed his' departure for England specially to enable him to take part, and- immediately afterwards took his departure by the Orosay. FOUNDATION STONE OF MEMORIAL LAID. CANBERRA, April 25. (Received April 25, at 11.30 pan.) There was a noteworthty gathering at the Federal capital when the GovernorGeneral (Lord Stonehaven) laid the foundation stone of the Australian war memorial, which will be of a majestic character, in the presence of detachments of returned men, a guard of honour from the Royal Military College, the Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Bruce), and the heads of the church. A devotional service which wap held was broadcast throughout Australia. HEAVY RAIN IN HOBART. HOBART, April BC. (Received April 25, at 11.30 pan.) Heavy rain marred the Anzac Day observances, and outdoor fixtures had -to be abandoned. A great memorial service was then held in the City Hall, which Betas 5000 people.