ANZAC DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26233, 17 August 1946, Page 8

ANZAC DAY

THE FORM OF SERVICE NON-SECTARIAN BASIS TASK OF DOMINION EXECUTIVE fP.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 16. In a statement issued by the Dominion president of the New Zealand Returned Services Association, Mr B. «T. Jacobs, attention is drawn to the fact that the impression appears to have been created that the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association has decided to eliminate all religious elements from future Anzac Day services. Mr Jacobs states most emphatically that the association has not decided or even recommended that religious elements should be excluded from the Anzac Day services. As a non-sectarian organisation it was endeavouring to compile an order of service for the main Anzac Day service in each city or town where the service is under the control of the local R.S.A. which will enable its members of all denominations to participate without offending the religious convictions or 'consciences of any member. “Assuming—and it is by no means certain—that such an order of service is found to be possible and is compiled, it is to be circulated to all branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. to be approved by a majority of these branches before its adoption." the statement says. “The decision to avail itself of that order of service would then be for the branches to determine.”

The decision arrived at by the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association, which determines the policy for the New Zealand Returned Services’ Association, is shown by the following extract from the minutes of that meeting: “That the Dominion Executive Committee be empowered to compile and submit to all local associations for approval an order of service for use at commemorative services on Anzac Day—other than those services held in the various churches. Such order of service is to be of such a nature that the adherents of any religion may attend, and if approved by a majority of local associations, shall be known as the N.Z.R.S.A. Anzac Day service.”

In conclusion, the Dominion president assures the public and members of his association that the New Zeathe Returned Services’ Association is deeply conscious of all that Anzac Day represents in the nation’s history.