ANZAC DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3972, 29 April 1930, Page 20

ANZAC DAY.

FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY.

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES. Friday’s ceremonies showed that there is no flagging in public sentiment to Anzac Day. The. same large crowds took part in mingled pride and grief for the noble dead, and all the customs were observed with the usual impressiveness, and, inasmuch as they tend to increase rather than to lapse with the years, these commemorations, in which all can join with a single heart, from the King to the humblest of his subjects, willjiot soon be omitted from the national calendar, whatever else is subjected to chance and change. A noticeable feature was the general wearing of the red Flanders poppies. It was heartening to see so widely worn that little flower of remembrance, with all that it implied in practical help to many returned soldiers and their dependents. It .was perfect autumn weather, and for that reason the brief service at the War Memorial in the Queen’s Gardens was as notable as any of the more pretentious functions. The memorial itself, towering above richly tinted trees, which shed their dying foliage on the bared heads of the crowd, was an inspiration in itself. It is clear that it responds to a deep and lasting feeling. The simplicity and directness of the design, revealing its purpose and its meaning, have appealed to every one. But that is not all. It is not because of its artistic merits that it has been the objective of so many Anzac Day crowds, but rather because Dunedin people at large have been able to recognise in it a common' focus for their sincerest devotional thoughts and most sacred memories. It proves rather, for all we are sometimes told, or led against our better will to believe, that we have not forgotten the war and the cause for which it was fought, despite the fact that the ceremonies marked the fifteenth anniversary of a great event. It proves, too, for all that is often said of us, that we are not an unfeeling race. Something far deeper than curiosity impelled the crowds to the Cenotaph on Friday. No nation or city can be shown to possess a common consciousness unless at some solemn and dedicated moment its spirtual unity takes some such visible form.

SERVICE IN QUEEN’S GARDENS.

FLORAL TRIBUTES OFFERED.

The Queen’s Gardens, and the streets enclosing them, -were thronged in the early afternoon on Friday when the first official function in connection with the Anzac Day remembrances was held. Within the tree-girt enclosure stood khaki clad troops, line upon line, in spick and span orderly array, and joined with them was the large body of 800 exservicemen who made up the returned soldiers’ parade—a parade that for numbers surpassed any that has been made for several years. Crowding the footwalk and the street were thousands of the public, the dense mass of whom completely held up traffic in Lower High street for the duration of the service. The weather was perfect, and the War Memorial, the focal point of all eyes, could not have had a better setting for its chaste beauty than the autumn tinted trees with their falling leaves. The attendance at the service, including troops and returned soldiers, must have totalled very nearly 7000 souls, and as the moving strains of appropriate music, martial and sacred, filled the sunlit air, the furthest outskirts of the crowd joined in a reverent memorial silence suited to so solemn an occasion.

The parade of returned soldiers and South African veterans, which was escorted by the Highland Pipe Band, marched from the Returned Soldiers’ Club to the Cenotaph, and after- they had formed up around the memorial, and while the Colours advanced at the head cf an official party comprising the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) and the mayoress and eity councillors, and bearers of wreaths, the pipes gave voice to that lament of laments, “ The Flowers of the Forest.” Solemnly the wreaths were laid at the foot of the gleaming white obelisk, while the regimental band played “ Abide With Me,” The Rev. Dr E. N. Merrington offered up a prayer and pronounced the benediction on the proceedings, and the 2nd Cadet Battalion Band, under lieutenant Napier, rendered “ The Retreat,” which was interrupted by the traditional volleys of the firing party, “ The Last Post ” and the “ Reveille.”

The floral tributes included wreaths from the following bodies and organisations:—the New Zealand Government,

the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Returned Sisters’ Association, the Dunedin City Corporation, the Otago Harbour Board, the Otago Hospital Board, the St. Kilda Borough Council, the West Harbour Borough Council, the Red Cross Society, the Junior Red Cross, the St. John Ambulance Association, the Otago Patriotic Society, the South African Veterans’ Association, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., the Overseas League, the Rotary Club, the Navy League, the League of Nations Union, the Chamber of Commerce, the Early Settlers’ Association, the University of Otago, the Council of Christian Congregations, the Returned Soldiers’ Choir, Toe H., Boy Scouts’ Association, Girl Guides’ Association, Macandrew Road School and Macandrew Road Ex-pupils’ Association and residents of Waipori Falls, besides private tributes. After the service the parade of returned soldiers marched to the Town Hall to take part in the civic function there. SERVICE AT TOWN HALL. TRIBUTES TO THE FALLEN. The main service of the day was held in the Town Hall, which could not accommodate all who desired to attend. Extra seating accommodation was provided, and the Concert Hall, where hundreds listened to the service by means of a wireless installation, was also packed to the doors. The proceedings were marked by their impressiveness and by the eloquence of an address by Mr Frank Milner (rector of the Waitaki Boys’ High School). Mr W. F. Forrester (vice-president of the Returned Soldiers’ Association) occupied the chair. The proceedings were opened with an organ solo, “Pomp and Circumstance” (Elgar), by Mr Charles A. Martin, and the hymn “ God of Our Fathers ” followed. The congregation then recited the Lord’s Prayer, led by the Rev. Dr E. N. Merrington. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. The chairman, in his opening remarks, stated that this was the fifteenth anniversary of the landing of the New Zealand troops on the shores of Gallipoli. The day was set apart not to commemorate that wonderful feat of arms nor to glorify war, but so that coming generations might learn of the sacrifice which enabled them to enjoy the freedom which they now had. The service did not only commemorate the loss of those who fell on Gallipoli but also those who were killed on other fields and who died on war service. To all who had been near and dear to them they paid their tribute. The distance from the war was already such that no child at present at a public school remembered the war. Few, if any, of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides present remembered the news of the landing at Gallipoli reaching New Zealand. This rendered it all the more necessary that they should use their best endeavours to keep green the memory of this day. The Returned Soldiers’ Association had made itself responsible for the proper observance of Anzac Day, and as long as the association existed it would sec that the day was observed in the proper spirit. They must not forget those who had returned incapacitated for life and those who were still lying on beds of sickness and pain—some for 15 long years. It was with the welfare of these men and their dependents that the association was mainly concerned. He therefore appealed to all ex-service men to retain their membership of the association.

A Scripture reading from the 11th and 12th chapters of Hebrews and a prayer of thanksgiving by Dr Merrington followed, and the Returned Soldiers’ Choir then rendered “ An Ancient Folk Song of the Netherlands” (Callcott). During a collection to defray the expenses of the service Mr Martin played “Coronach” (Barrett), and the hymn “ Fight the Good Fight ” followed.

MR MILNER’S ADDRESS. Mr Milner stated that they were gathered together in this great civic hall on the 15th anniversary of that historic landing on Gallipoli to pay their commemorative tributes to the men from this young nation who had participated in the war, to record once more their heroic prowess, and to extend sympathy to those who had lost friends or relations in that great purgatorial happening. He hoped to be able to convey some of the spirit of the day to the young people so that it would be incorporated in civic life in the future. He could only regard the fact that he had been asked to speak as a tribute to the profession to which he belonged and which had so much to do with the training of young people.

They knew that Earl Haig had said that no unit on the Western Front had firmer discipline and morale than the New Zealand unit. They must remember what they owed to the late Mr W. F. Massey and Sir James Allen for the spirit they had instilled in the dark hours of the war when it seemed that it must end hi a compromise. They must be thanked for their staunch vigour, which had kept New Zealand to the fore. His audience could call to mind the tribute by General Birdwood, the soul of Anzac, who had stated that the New Zealanders yielded the palm to no other military unit, and Lord Allenby, who had led the New Zealanders in Palestine, had stated that he had yet

to meet men who instilled greater intelligence into their work. Their performance was the greater when one remembered the physical inflictions which they had been called upon to endure. The younger generation should know what the New Zealanders had done when they had been called to the front. He could go on giving tribute after tribute which had been paid to the youth of the country. In the course of a tour last year he had found what a splendid name the New Zealanders had not only in the Motherland, but in Canada. A Canadian officer had told him that he had met no greater soldiers and no finer men that the New Zealanders. One heard the same tributes from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. He had found in the United States officers of high standing repeating these tributes. When General Smuts had welcomed the All Blacks to South Africa he had said: “ You are ambassadors of Empire. It is a privilege to welcome you not only as athletes but as representatives of that country which sent through Capetown during the war the finest bodies of men it has been my pleasure to meet.” “From the struggle,” Mr Milner continued, “ we learned that we are breeding stock worthy of the finest traditions of the Empire. The performance of the New Zealanders was a page of gold in the annals of our Empire story that will never fade.” The most imposing of all tangible war memorials was the great memorial of Scotland in the precincts of Edinburgh Castle. Small as it was in compass, it contained the whole history of Scotland. When one went there one was led to understand what had made Scotland so great. In the Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh was a memorial in bronze given by Scots in the United States in recognition of the heroism of Scottish soldiers in the war. The memorial represented a young warrior with his eyes riveted on the castle tower from which came the call to arms. It was a work of genius embodying all the aspirations and idealism of the nation’s youth in the great struggle.

Their minds were taken back to the Imperial Conference of 1920 when the colonies had become autonomous parts of the Empire equal in status and united in allegiance to the throne. There was need of a living spiritual unity in the Empire. One result of the new footing on which the colonics had been placed as regards the Motherland was that they were called on more than ever to share her burdens. They were called on to act as a buttress to her efforts to establish world peace. One must recognise the bona fides of Britain in the efforts which she was putting forward for the prevention of war.

The world political situation, he added, was not one which could be regarded with smug complacency. The menace of the disruption of peace was not foreboding as far as Germany was concerned. Monarchism in that country was lost. The recent elections had shown that a landslide in public opinion in Germany had taken place since the war. On all sides one heard the war spoken of as a sin upon humanity and as a terrible blunder. Germany was determined to forswear militarism. She was devoting herself to industry, science, and education, and no breach of world peace was likely’ to come from that quarter. In Italy the benevolent autocracy of Mussolini was working wonders. Wherever one travelled in Italy one realised what a power he was and the unity which he had instilled into the people. Italy was a nation with wonderful enthusiasm and vigour. The pity was that Italy and France could not see eye to eye with each other. There was a greater menace from the mentality of France than from any other Power. Returned men were inclined to think of the French as brothers in arms, but in world conferences the negative, destructive, and cynical force had been France. This had been seen in the attitude of Clemenceau at Versailles and in the Washington Pact, and the Locarno Pact had not brought France the security which she had desired. They found this again to-day when the five great Powers of the world had met and spent weary months in debate. Out of the conference had emerged the threc-Power pact, and the mentality of France had rejected world order. Despite the fact that Alsace and Lorraine had been handed back and the Locarno Pact had given her guarantees rar.ee demanded freedom of action as regards her navy and the right to militarise blacks and even her mandates. She had submarines twice the size of the German Üboats, and they carried seaplanes and could fire torpedoes from all sides. She had demanded the right to build submarines so that she would have a powerful lever to negotiate with England for security. She had demanded in her cynical selfishness further committments which Britain could not give. At the time when France had told Britain that she could not pay her war debts she had been ad-

vancing money to Poland and the Little Er.tente Sta’tes to be spent on armaments. France was the most menacing international factor in the world .ituation. I. Britain was to continue in her efforts for world peace the children should be trained for this grim purpose. A feeling of revolt against the grim tragedy of war must be encouraged. Science was placing in the hands of the Powers vile implements of •war, which was rapidly becoming a monster which threatened to bring down the edifice of civilisation in ruins. It seemed to be agreed that the next war would be decided in the air. It had recently been said that the next war would be a war of belts and zones, and not fronts, in which thousands of non-com batants would be killed. Gases has been invented which even when diluted with 10,000,000 times their volume of air would cause great irritation to the lungs and render the wearing of gas masks impossible. Horrible engines of destruction were being invented which would deprive war of any glamour that it possessed. One must feel, depressed regarding the future of civilisation, and unless there was. the growth of some spiritual and moral force disaster must come. People must disassociate themselves from any bitter and narrow nationalism which would dwarf their horizon and obliterate the wider view of civilisation. That spirit might run to sentimentality, but it was needed to overcome insularities. There must be a knowledge of the psychology of other peoples. There must not be national egoism which would run to jingoism or the young would develop a love of militarism. In the period of adolescence there was unfathomable idealism. If that were taken in hand young people could be persuaded to realise that all men were brothers. He believed that the wider feeling must come and correct insularities which were the breeding ground for misplaced national enmities. If the world were to survive it must be by a wider conception of humanity at large. The annihilation of space and the interdependence of commerce would do much to prevent the parting of the ways. When history was surveyed one realised what a dreadful part the war had played in the history of civilisation. In the first year of war 4,000,000 had been killed —more than the total killed in all wars during the previous 100 years. In addition £80,000,000,000 worth of material damage had been done. “ We must strive for the encouraging of a wider and more charitable view,” concluded the speaker. “ We can do something in our lives.” WREATHS LAID ON CENOTAPH. After the singing of the hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past ” wreaths from the following bodies were laid on the cenotaph : —-The Returned Soldiers’ Association, Returned Sisters, the New Zealand Government, the Dunedin City Council, the Otago Hospital Board, the St. Kilda Borough Council, the West Harbour Borough Council, the Red Cross Society, the Junior Red Cross, the St. John Ambulance Association, the Otago Patriotic Society, the South African Veterans, the Y.M.C.A., the Y.W.C.A., the Overseas League, the Rotary Club, the League of. Nations’ Union, the Chamber of Commerce, the Early Settlers’ Association, the University of Otago, the Council of Christian Churches, the United Otago District A.0.F., the 1.0.0. F., the Royal and Ancient Order of Buffaloes, the Loyal Orange Institution, the Service Lodge, the ILS.A. Choir, Toe IL, the Boy Scouts’ Association, the Girl Guides' Association, the Macandrew Bay Girl Guides and Brownies, the Macandrew Road School, ex-pupils of the Macandrew Road School, the residents at the Wai pori Power Station. In addition two private wreaths were placed upon the cenotaph. The 2nd Cadet Battalion Trumpet and Bugle Band, conducted by Lieutenant Napier, impressively rendered the “ Last Post,” and after Di* Merrington had pronounced the Benediction, the band played the “ Reveille,” the service concluding with the singing of the National Anthem. OTHER SERVICES. In the city and suburban churches memorial services were held, and in the schools parades of pupils were called in commemoration of Anzac. PALMERSTON, April 26. There was a very large attendance at the combined service in the Town Hall on Anzac Day. The service was conducted by the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches and Salvation Army representatives, and at the returned soldiers’ monument afterwards Mr E. H. Clarke gave an address, and Miss M'Gregor gave a recitation. There was a good muster of returned soldiers. Scouts, and Girl Guides. Wreaths were placed on both South African and returned soldiers’ monuments. A

small brass band, conducted by Mr John Lester, played the necessary music. ALEXANDRA, April 25. The weather to-day was particularly fine, with bright sunshine. A number of outside visitors and a large gathering of citizens were present at tlie Town Hall', where a memorial service was conducted by the Rev. Mr Simpson, of the Presbyt terian Church, assisted by Mr Thorley', Anglican lay reader. The Mayor (Mr Bringans) and the church choir were also in attendance on the stage. At the con; elusion of the service a procession fronj the Town Hall, headed by the Brass Band, and followed by the returned soldiers', Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Brownies, and school children, marched to the soldiers’ memorial, on which wreaths were place<| by the acting Mayoress (Miss Bringans), on behalf of the citizens. Mr White oq behalf of the returned soldiers, Mr Taylor for the South African veterans. Miss Taylor for captain Girl Guides, Miss Gillett (lieutenant of the Brownies), and pupils of the District High School. At the com elusion of the ceremony Mr Colin Fraser sounded the “ Last Post.”

CROMWELL, April 26. Under excellent weather conditions, Anzac Day was reverently observed by a combined memorial service in the soL diers’ memorial grounds at Cromwell. There was a large muster of Girl Guides’, Boy Scouts, and school children, who. witlj a small gathering of the Oddfellows l Lodge, paraded to the grounds. Th® Mayor presided, and representatives of all the churches assisted, the Rev. A. R. Chisholm delivering the address for the day. Music was provided by the Grom? well Brass Band. Many handsome wreaths were laid on the memorial, and the “ Last Post ” was sounded by Com ductor Gordon. Another impressive cere: mony was held in the afternoon, when a visit was paid to the cemetery, and wreaths were laid on the graves of five soldiers who died after their return. Later in the afternoon a largely-attended service was held at Bannockburn.

WAIKOUAITI, April 27. On Friday the usual Anzac Day ceres monies were carried out at Waikouaiti. returned soldiers and residents meeting at the soldiers’ memorial, where many wreaths were placed. The gathering thei) marched to the public hall for - divine service, the Anglican vicar (the Rev. Mr Luker) presiding. The proceedings were opened by the Mayor (Mr Andrew Fell) with a brief address. The Rev. Mu Thomas led the devotional part of th§ service, the Rev. Mr Potts giving an ad? dress from the text “ One God and the Father of all.” The whole ceremony was very’ impressive.

BALCLUTHA, April 26. The weather was gloriously fine for the Anzac Day services yesterday, and tire attendance of the public was better than usual. A procession made up of the Pipe Band, the territorials (under Lieutenant Malcolm), cadets, Girl Guides, and Brass Band marched from the Municipal Chambers to the Oddfellows’ Hall, where a combined religious service was held. The Brass Band, under the conductorship of Mr E. Jeyat, occupied seats on the stage on either side of the space reserved for the speakers, and played tire accompaniments to the hymns. The Rev. Roy Alley (Presbyterian) opened the service with prayer, and afterwards Captain Stone (of the Salvation Army) read tire 91 st Psalm. Mr H. C. Orchard (Methodist) delivering the main address. There followed a procession to the soldiers’ monument. where numerous wreaths were deposited while the Pipe Band (under Pipe-major E. B. Gold), played a Highland lament, and in conclusion three members of the Brass Band sounded the “ Last Poet.” MILTON, April 26. Anzac Day was honoured in Milton and district, with the citizens’ usual commemorative, service in the Coronation Hall in the afternoon. The spacious hall was crowded beyond capacity, although additional seating accommodation had been provided, and scores of town and district residents were unable to obtain admission.

Prior to the combined service, a parade of ex-servicemen (90 strong), Territorials (24), senior cadets (45), and school cadets (31) was held.

Brass Band and a hymn. This was followed with prayer, ‘'Commemoration of the Fallen.” by Canon J. C. Small.

Short addresses were delivered by Mr P. R. Stewart (chairman of the Bruce Returned Soldiers’ Association) and Colonel A. E. Stewart.

The principal address being delivered by Mr G. P. Cuttriss. A special commemorative service for pupils of Standards IV, V, and VI. also the secondary department of the Toko High School, Tolvoiti School, and St. Joseph’s School was held at Toko High School grounds during the morning. SERVICES IN WELLINGTON. MESSAGES FROM OVERSEAS. WELLINGTON, April 25. The Anzac Day services were conducted to-day in fine but overcast weather. At the service this morning before the tern* porary cenotaph fronting Parliament Buildings the Governor-General read the Anzac Day message from his Majesty the King, which is as follows:— On this day, devoted to the glorioud memory of those who fell at Gallipoli) the Queen and I are proud to join irt sympathy with my people in Australia and in New Zealand.—George R.I. The service, which was attended by a very large crowd, was conducted by the

•Rev. H, E. K. Fry. of the Church of England, and the address was delivered by the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, Presbyterian minister. During the service floral tributes were laid at the foot of the cenotaph, including a wreath from General Sir Jan Hamilton, bearing the following inscription:—

In affectionate remembrance of my fallen comrades. —lan Hamilton. In the afternoon a special service, presided over by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup), was held in the Town Hall for the next-of-kin. The address was delivered by the Rev. T. Fielden Taylor. The service concluded with the baud playing “The ,Garland of Flowers ” and the sounding of the “ Last Post.” Iler Excellency, Lady Bledisloe, was present at the service.

Also in the afternoon the Basin Reserve was crowded, where the Rev. H. E. K. Fry delivered the address. The service was attended by his Excellency the Gover-nor-General. There was a large muster of returned soldiers, territorials, cadets, Scouts, and Girl Guides at the various services.

The Governor-General has sent the following reply to the message received from his Majesty the King on the occasion of Anzac Day:— • Your Majesty’s gracious message has been communicated to the people of New Zealand who appreciate most deeply the knowledge that the thoughts of your • Majesty and the Queen are with them in their services on this day of hallowed memories. The following Anzac Day messages have been received and despatched by the New Zealand military forces:— From Field-marshal, Sir William Birdwood. Commander-in-chief in India, to the General Officer commanding the New Zealand military forces—“ I shall be grateful if you will once more convey to my old comrades my greetings on Anzac Day. They will know without my saying more how much I shall be thinking of them, while we will all have in our thoughts those -who have gone before in upholding the honour of our Empire. Please also convey my sincere greetings to the people pf New Zealand with my best wishes to them for happiness and prosperity during many years to come.”

Reply from Major-general Young to Field-marshal Sir William Birdwood: “Tour Anzac Day message gratefully appreciated. It has been conveyed to all old comrades and the people of New Zealand, who heartily reciprocate by sending you their sincere and good wishes of remembrance of Anzac.”

To General Sir Alexander Godley, Governor of Gibraltar, from Major-general Young: “New Zealand forces send greetings and remembrances of Anzac.”

The following message has been received by the Minister of Defence (Mr J. G. Cobbe) from General Godley: “Please .convey my greetings to all Anzac comrades.”

From the Defence, Wellington, to the Defence, Melbourne: “New .Zealand forces pend kindliest greetings and remembrances to Australian comrades on the anniversary of Anzac.”

BIG GATHERING IN AUCKLAND.

AUCKLAND, April 26. Auckland’s principal Anzac Day gathering was held for the first time at the permanent cenotaph, which stands in front pf the new War Memorial Museum. Four thousand military and 500 returned n.en paraded, and an enormous, crowd of the public attended. IN OTHER CENTRES. NEW PLYMOUTH. April 25. The Anzac Day service in Pukekura park was held in brilliant sunshine, and in the presence of 10.000 people. WANGANUI. April 25. A feature of the Anzac Day services in Wanganui was the special Maori commemoration at Aloutoa Gardens, a spot closely associated with the early history of the district. The service was partly conducted in the Maori language, but the chief speaker was Archdeacon Creed Meredith., of the Anglican Church. A combined church service in Cook’s Gardens in the afternoon was attended by about 7000 people. WESTPORT. April 25. A service of commemoration was held in the Theatre Royal this afternoon by the Westport Ministers’ Association. The Mayor (Mr J. H. Harkness) presided. An impressive address was given bj - the Rev. C. A. Foston (Wesleyan) and assisting him were the Rev. J. W. Bloyce (Anglican), the Rev. A. Miller (Presbyterian), and Captain Risley (Salvation Army). After the service a parade consisting of a firing party of returned soldiers, the Senior and Junior Cadets, Girl Guides, and Brownies took place to the gates of remembrance, where a further brief service was held, concluding with the “ Last Post ” and the National Anthem.

GREYMOUTH, April 25

The usual Amftic Day services were livid to-day. A largely-attended gathering at the Town Hall included returned soldiers, territorials, and cadets, who inarched through the central streets. At the combined service the address was delivered by the Rev. T. N. Cuttie. After the service, the cenotaph was visited, and there numerous wreaths were placed, including one by the Mayor on behalf of the citizens. The war graves at Karoro Cemetery were* also visited. A service was conducted at the main school at 10 a.m., when Archdeacon Jermyn delivered an address, and wreaths were placed on the memorial gates. CHRISTCHURCH, April 25. The Anzac Day celebrations in the city to-day followed the procedure of previous years. There was the march out of cadets and territorials, of whom 3000 paraded, and these, 1-ed by returned soldiers to the number of about 1000, marched fr-em Cranmer square to King Edward Barracks, where the returned soldiers’ service was held. The territorials and cadets did not enter the barracks, but marched to Haghey Park, where an open air service was held. The Minister of Health (Mr A. J. Stallworthy) was one of the speakers at the service in the barracks.

TIMARU, April 25. Services in commemoration of Anzac Day were held in most of the primary and secondary schools this morning.

Though _ the weather was dull and threatening in the aft’ernoon thousands attended the public memorial service in Main Park. The parade was one of the largest ever held. The church services were also largely attended.

INVERCARGILL, April 25. Anzac Day was celebrated in Invercargill in the customary manner, large crowds attending the services. Fine weather prevailed. OBSERVANCE IN AUSTRALIA. BRILLIANT WEATHER. . SYDNEY, April 25. Anzac Day was observed in Sydney under a brilliant sun, and there was a wonderful commemoration of the suffering and sacrifice of zAustralians and New Zealanders on the grim shores of GalB.P°“ 15 years ago. a day that marked tne blooding ’of the young nations, and evolved a new name to be added to the honoured list in British history. Before dawn the first tribute to the memory of • cc l mr ades was laid on the cenotaph Martin place by the Australian Legion of Ex-service Clubs, with a brief prayer Despite its brevity, this gathering of 400 to 500 men in the half-light, like that out of which the flame-flecked landscape of Ariburnu gradually grew on that never-to-be-forgotten morning, was among the most impressive of many that followed it to-day. By parties and individually they came, with floral tokens of remembrance from hearts still aching but proud of the sacrifice their dear ones were strong enough to make when the call came. Later there was a march of 20,000 men—naval men, military units, and returned soldiers —with many bands. The diggers had marched, many of them, along the same route years ago, but their mission then was one of grim determination to uphold the ideals that were threatened. To-day, unarmed, they moved to the cenotaph to pay a silent trib,- to those who marched away with them vn that other occasion, and did not return. From Martin place the procession wound its way to the Domain, where a great _ combined memorial service was held, this being attended by many thousands of citizens. A contingent of exsoldiers of New Zealand occupied a prominent position in the march, and laid a wreath on the cenotaph in memory of comrades who sleep in foreign fields. Afterwards, Mr W. R. Blow, the Government agent, placed a wreath on behalf of the Government and people of the Dominion.

Special services were held in the various churches, including St. Andrew’s Anglican and St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedrals, while every suburban country centre had its appropriate celebrations. Similar commemorations took place in other States and in Canberra.

CEREMONIES IN AUSTRALIA

COMMUNIST ARRESTED. SYDNEY, April 26. Communists were busy during the Anzac observances. A large force of police was sent to Cessnock when it was learnt that the Reds had arranged to hold a counter-Anzac demonstration. Returned men from Kurri and Weston rushed to Cessnock to reinforce the procession of Anzacs, fearing that the Communists might make a hostile demonstration. Permission was refused the Communists to hold a procession, so they adjourned to a vacant allotment, and a man, said to be a New Zealander, began an address. He was soon ar rested, and the ■ police broke up the meeting. In Sydney pamphlets were distributed stating that Anzac Day served as a means to refresh the ideology of British Imperialism, and to incite the masses with the war fever.

Forty spectators, mostly women, were overcome by the dense throng in Melbourne and fainted.

OBSERVANCE IN ENGLAND.

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY IN LONDON.

LONDON, April 25.

Large numbers participated in the Anzac Day ceremonies. The Australian cricketers, at the earliest possible moment, laid a wreath on the Cenotaph. The wreath, which was placed by Woodfull, consisted of wattle and poppies, inscribed: “In memory. From the Australian cricketers.”

Hundreds were unable to gain admission to St. Clement Danes, which was packed half an hour before the service. The Venerable J. W. Ward (ex-Archdeacon of Goulburn) officiated. Mr Fenton and Sir Granville Ryrie read the lessons. Mr Arthur Mason, of Sydney, presided at the organ, and Miss Eunice Meredith, a New Zealander, was the soloist. A representative congregation included Sir lan Hamilton, Mr Wilford, Agents-general, the Army, Navy, and Air Force liaison officers. The most impressive part of the services was when 300 ex-members of the forces formed a procession to the shrine, where Mr Fenton, on behalf of Australia, Colonel Al. W. B. Thomas, on behalf of New Zealand, and Woodfull, and Mr Kelly, on behalf of the cricketers, land wreaths on the shrine. The congregation knelt while the Anzac hymn was sung.

Before his address Air Ward read General Sir William Birdwood’s message and Sir Granville Ryrie’s reply. Air Ward said: “Anzac Day commemorates the making of two * nations and sets up noble standards which it is our sacred duty to preserve.” Sergeant A. W. Simpson sounded the “ Last Post.” The service terminated with Chopin’s “ Funeral Alarch.” Thousands of people looked on at the moving spectacle when Lord Plumer headed the distinguished assemblage and laid a wreath on the Cenotaph, while Sir Granville Ryrie and Air Wilford did so on behalf of their respective

Governments, the Bishop of Bathurst on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ Association of Bathurst, Air L. H. Pike on behalf of the Returned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Imperial League of Australia, Air .A. G. Congrege for the South African Soldiers’ Association, New South Wales, and Colonel Manning tor the . Western Australian Returned Soldiers’ Association. An iced wreath from the Queensland Anzac Day Commemoration Committee glistened in the brilliant sunshine. During the afternoon Lady Foster, on behalf of the New Zealand Victoria League, and Airs Wilford, on behalf of the New Zealand Alothers’ Union, placed wreaths on the Cenotaph. DINNER IN UNITED STATES. AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND STUDENTS AS HOSTS. NEW YORK, April 26. Mr H. E. Brookes (Commissioner-gene-ral for Australia in America) and Aliss Brookes will be the guests of honour at the Anzac dinner given by the Australian and New Zealand students at Harvard University.