The Daily News THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1930. A DAY OF TRIBUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1930, Page 8

The Daily News THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1930. A DAY OF TRIBUTE.

On the ever memorable Jay known as Anzac, fifteen years ago, the intrepid young manhood of New Zealand and Australia, who had given their services to the Motherland and the Empire, leapt unheralded .into the arena of war, and by a display of courage, crash, endurance, and unquenchable spirit proved themselves worthy of kinship with those heroic men who throughout the history of the British rae'e have faced without fear the jaws of death, thinking it glorious to die for their country. On that same day the word “Empire” assumed a new and nobler meaning for the. Dominions and for the world. Anzac, it has been truly said, in many respects typifies the heroism of the centuries. It was a passionate outpouring of the heart-blood of sons who halted not to weigh death in the balance, but gave their lives with almost reckless generosity for the great and glorious Empire to which they belonged- They .went willingly, enthusiastically at the first eall of the Motherland. They questioned not the outcome of the task at Gallipoli, and as a military operation the Anzacs achieved the impossible. It was a feat of arms unparalleled in the history of war. What they did caused amazement among all who knew the trade of war. It is not too much to claim that the deeds of the men of the Austra-lian-New Zealand Army Corps won for them a place in the Temple of the Immortals. Their comrades in .arms—-British soldiers — claimed them as honoured Brothers, and‘the citizens of the

Empire were proud to call them kinsmen. The deathless story of the Gallipoli campaign cannot fail to inspire the generations of Empire citizens yet unborn with pride of race, courage, tenacity of purpose, endurance and determination to overcome obstacles that appear insurmountable, but above all should act as an object lesson that will teach all true citizens that through self-sacri-fice alone can men oi\nations be saved. The need of that lesson is apparent to-day as it was fifteen years ago, when the first Anzac Day dawned. So we honour the valiant dead, knowing that they died gloriously, and in giving up their lives left to posterity an example that endures for all time. Their memorial is already inscribed in all loyal hearts; they have not laid down their lives in vain. It is with this inspiring knowledge and in a fitting spirit of reverent thanksgiving that the anniversary of Anzac Day is being honoured year by year. The appropriate manner in which such an anniversary can be kept is by participation in a solemn memorial service such as is held throughout the Empire. Moreover, the service answers other purposes besides that of evoking hallowed memories of those men whose bodies lie in a far off land. It is an occasion upon which all section of the community from the King downwards meet on a common plane for a common purpose, in which they are united by the highest feelings of true humanity. The absence of all boasting and self-laudation fixes the hearts and’ minds of the people on the sacredness of the occasion, and attunes them to the spirit of Anzac, making each anniversary take on a higher and deeper meaning. In the words of Mr- Hughes, who was Prime Minister of Australia when addressing the soldiers at the first memorial service in 1916: “To your Australian and New Zealand fellow-citizens, to your mothers, fathers, brothers, friends who know and love you, your glorious valour meant much more than to all others. On its shining wings we were lifted up to heights we had never seen; you taught us truths we never knew; you inspired us to a newer, better and nobler concept of life.” That is the Anzac Day spirit which each year seems to take on increased vitality, and will surely do so throughout the years to come.