PARADE AND SERVICE

Southland Times, Issue 23183, 26 April 1937, Page 6

PARADE AND SERVICE

Gore’s Observance ADDRESS BY MR BARTON The observance of Anzac Day at Gore was in accordance with the customary procedure, a parade preceding a solemn service at the Regent Theatre. The parade assembled at the new Soldiers’ Club and marched to the war memorial, where wreaths were laid. The parade had a strength of about 120 ranks and officers, and was headed by the Gore Municipal Brass Band and the Gore Pipe Band. Major A. L. McDowell, M.C., commanded the parade. Then followed about 60 returned soldiers and the Mayor and members of the Gore Borough Council, the Gore troop of the Otago Mounted Rifles and the Gore High School cadets. At the theatre, the president of the Gore Returned Soldiers’ Association (Mr A. C. Steel) presided. Hymns were sung, accompanied by the Municipal Band. The Rev. Fraser B. Barton led the prayers and delivered the address The chairman, in the course of his remarks, thanked all present for coming along on such a boisterous day. He also stated that the results of the Poppy Day appeal were a record. Spirit of Anzac Mr Barton said it was gratifying that a day should have been set aside in these long busy and distracting postwar years to dwell on the immortal spirit of Anzac. He commented on the valour of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. The people of today enjoyed a heritage made great by the sacrifice of the sons and daughters of New Zealand and it would be unworthy of them if ever they failed to remember. Mr Barton then asked what was the inner meaning of Anzac. It was not only a day remarkable because it recalled a memorable page in the country’s history, it was not only when they gathered together in mute reverence at the shrine of the fallen, but it was a day that recalled what valour could do to raise a nation to a high level of duty and courage. Anzac Day should be safeguarded because of its sacredness. Mr Barton remarked that the facts of the landing at Gallipoli were well known. They occupied a glowing page in the history of the war. He asked whether the example shown then was being perpetuated in these days of peace. The men who volunteered were inspired by the very best of motives, that spirit of peace. Can we in times of peace still maintain that spirit? Victories of peace were going to be more difficult to win than victories on the Western front. “The only way to win the other nations’ sympathy is by showing them that we are brothers to all.” The deaths of their comrades at the front was a great contribution, but God was asking even a greater contribution of the young people of today. He was asking them to dedicate themselves to the study of the bringing in of a new era of international peace. Mr Barton appealed to the girls and boys present to see that they did not fritter away their opportunity to make New Zealand a greater nation still, and to abandon all that was mean. “Let us in the spirit of Jesus Christ abandon ourselves and live and work and die in the faith that made Anzac what it is,” Mr Barton concluded. The scripture readings were from Isaiah, chapter 25, verses 1 to 9, and Revelations, chapter 7, verses 9 to 17. A sacred solo was sung by Miss V. Bird. THE PROCESSION TOTAL OF 547 OFFICERS AND MEN A long procession was formed at the Drill Hall and marched to the theatre, there being a total of 542 officers and other ranks, including 188 returned soldiers and 198 cadets. The parade was under the command of LieutenantColonel E. F. Selby, M.C., V.D., who was assisted by Captain A. J. Moore, N.Z.S.C., and Lieutenant A. R. Cockerill, D. 5.0., N.Z.S.C., adjutant of the parade. Sergeant-Major Little, D.C.M., N.Z.P.S., assumed charge of the parade of returned soldiers. The procession was headed by the band of the First Battalion, Southland Regiment, under Lieutenant Smart, and then came the South African veterans and returned soldiers, followed by the Legion of Frontiersmen under Sergeant Dunn, the territorials under Major Matthews, the Caledonian Pipe Band under Drum-Major C. Henderson, the High School cadets under Major A. J. Deaker, and the Technical College cadets under Major J. Stobo. The parade state was as follows:— Other Officers. Ranks. T 1

Staff 2 3 5 South African Veterans 8 8 Returned Soldiers 188 188 Legion of Frontiersmen 7 7 Territorials 1 14 67 81 High School Cadets □ 118 123 Technical College Cadets 5 70 75 Regimental Band 1 32 33 Pipe Band 22 22 27 515 542