ANZAC DAY IN ENGLAND.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 27 April 1925, Page 9

ANZAC DAY IN ENGLAND.

In Memory of Fallen fe; . Comrades. TRIBUTE TO SOLDIERS OF THE EMPIRE. £y Oablo—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Oablo Association (Received April 26, 6.6 p.m.) LONDON, April 25. Fielci*Marshal Sir AViliiam Bird wood presided at a dinner attended by forty Anzacs at the Hotel yictoria, to commemorate Anzac Day. The toast “Absent Comrades,” was honoured in silence. The chairman read a telegram from General Sir lan Hamilton, conveying affectionate greetings, also grout.:rigs from the Anzac in the Indian Army. Sir William Birdwood said he would be delighted to convey greetings to the Twenty-Ninth Division, at the latter’s dinner to-morrow. It was that, Division which first showed, the Anzacs what the British soldier' really was. He was surprised that one Australian State had tabooed Anzac observance, “because it maintained'the spirit of militarism.” “I send Anzac greetings to that State, the same as to the rest; ( of Australia, but I would point out that nobody need fear it is fost'ering the spirit of militarism. Rather they should feel grateful that their comrades proved themselves the men they did. It is in that spirit w® wish to see Anzac Day observed. Tt is the biggest day in Australia’s history. Australia remembers the anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing, but Anzao Day signalised Australia’s stepping into nationhood.”

Sir William .(Birdwood in I a message to New Zealand, sendb “heartiest greetings to the Government : and people. I know to-day the memory of fallen ~ comrades is very vividly with us. They will never be forgotten by us, who, by God’s grace returned to‘ our home lands. My sympathies and sincere thoughts go out to the people of New Zealand in their anxiety concerning the health of their great Primej Minister.” There were remarkable scenes at the Cenotaph in ’Whitehall, where the High Commissioners had to Struggle through a vast crowd, in order to place their wreaths on the occasion of Anzac Day.

OBSERVED IN AUSTRALIA. ' I- . ' ' DAY OF , SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received! April 26, 6.5 p.m.) .. SYDNEY, April 26. Anzac Day was celebrated throiighout the Commonwealth as a day of solemn remembrance. Sports, meetings in all States . were postponed. The weather in Sydney was fine but dull. " The city was very quiet, more like Sunday than; a public holiday. All public buildings displayed flagß at half-mast. / Special services were held in all subur.bs and the day was marked in the city by a procession of the remnants of. the regiments which participated in the Great War, through streets to the Town (Hall, where a memorial service was held.'

, KING GEORGE IN PARIS. TRIBUTE TO UNKNOWN WARRIOR. liy Coble —Pre3s Acsociation—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association (Received April 26, 11.5 p.m.) , PARIS, April 25/ A dense, enthusiastic crowd heartily cheered King George at the Are de Triomphe. A military band played the National Anthem as the Ring deposited a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown "Warrior. The King then stood in silence for a minute, while the baud played the “Marsellaise.” Tho King, after the ceremony, cordially shook hands with Marshals Focti and Gourad, then drove off amid renewed cheering.