ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22505, 25 February 1935, Page 10

ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—What a pity Mr M'Dowall's conscience is being disturbed now that another Anzac Day is drawing near. For his benefit I wish to inform him that by commemorating Anzac Day the returned soldiers are paying reverent homage to their 17,000 comrades who "went West," giving assurance to our many maimed comrades that they shall not want (although I regret to say that at the present time a great many of them do want, and, last but not least, to see that tins country keeps its vow to the returned soldiers and their dependants. It is true in New Zealand as well as in other countries, that those who made the promises during 19141919, are now weary to the point of annoyance of being shown that there are Borne things still to be carried out. Anzao Day is one reminder that causes such people as Mr M'Dowall a little discomfort. To them "it curtails receipts, hinders commerce and banking, cuts out sport and entertainment. From their point of view it is simply "ridiculous." Can one expect these people to reflect on the position of affairs had the sacrifices commemorated each Anzac Day ended with Britain and her allies vanquished? The one great lesson which returned soldiers gained t through their war service was the spirit and nobility of service and self-sacrifice, and the underlying object of members of our association, in speaking to school children on Anzac Day, is to keep alive and foster that spirit in peace time and to put into practice the lesson of comradeship and good fellowship. Surely Mr M'Dowall must know that the passing on of a lesson of service and sell-sacrifice to the present generation must be of value, not only to school children, but to all concerned in the welfare of their country, when one notices the prevalence of so much greed and'selfishness to-day. It appears to me that Mr M'Dowall does not really understand the meaning of Anzac Day and what it stands for. Anzac Day in New Zealand is this Dominion's national memorial day to commemorate the part taken by the New Zealand troops during the Great War and in memory of those who gave their lives for the Empire, whether in France, Belgium, Gallipoli, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Palestine, Samoa, Russia, or on the high sea. I wish to assure Mr M'Dowall that the men on the Executive Councils of the New Zealand Returned. Soldiers' Association are noted for their initiative and courage, and they will, I feel sure, take all steps that are necessary to see that Anzac Day and all it means wlil be kept alive, its memory preserved, and its sacredness untarnished. —I am, etc., Justice, Not Glory.

Other Letters to the Editor appear on page 11.