RELIGIOUS FERVOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 96, 26 April 1940, Page 6

RELIGIOUS FERVOUR

MAORI MEMORIAL SERVICE AT MOUTOA GARDENS IMPRESSIVE ADDRESS Impressiveness marked the service conducted by the Maoris at Moutoa Gardens yesterday morning. There was a very large attendance of both Maoris and pakehas to pay tribute to the memory of those who had made the great sacrifice on the heights of Gallipoli, and other sectors of the last war. Among those present was the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr. W. J. Rogers, and Mr. W. H. Cannan, president of the Wanganui Returned Soldiers’ Association.

Headed by the Wanganui Garrison Band, a large parade of ex-service-men marched from the Drill Hall to the Maori Memorial for the service, which was conducted by the Rev. P. Kokiri, assisted by Captain G. Spillett, of the Salvation Army, and Rev. Hone Hakarangi Mete Kingi. The speaker for the occasion was Ven. Archdeacon J. R. Young. Mr. Rama Whanarere, for the Maori people welcomed those present, and said it was right and proper to remember those who had fought and died in the last war. They were not unmindful of those who were making sacrifices in the present war. DOMINANT FEATURE The dominant feature of the gathering was the display of religious fervour, an aspect that was liberally coloured by the fervant manner in which the various hymns were sung. The memorial was covered by many beautiful wreaths, including one from the city and one from the ex-service-men. In his address. Archdeacon Young said that he had a personal interest in the service that day, as his brother

had been adjutant of the Maori Battalion for a time in the last war. This was an historic Anzae Day as it was the silver jubilee of the landing on Gallipoli’s shores when New Zealand won nationhood in a baptism of fire. It was also the first Anzae Day since 1919 they had not held in peace. War was again raging in Europe. The speaker said that memories came crowding round him that day, of friends and comrades who gave their lives in the last war. They included a brother and a brother-in-law. and friends of his student days, for he belonged to the generation which was right in the thick of it. They remembered that day not only those who had died, but those who came back from the great adventure worn and strained. Many had grown old before their time. They had fought for peace, but the peace for which they had striven for has gene.

He said that he hated war. He would have liked to have been a pacifist, but peace is not worth having at any price, and there were some things which he hated worse than war. cruelty, treachery, the breaking of the pledged word, and the destruction of liberty.

“We do not forget how the Maori warriors of old stood between the invasion of Wanganui at the Battle of Moutoa. after which there gardens are named,’’ said the Archdeacon.

WOMEN S SACRIFICE In his opinion those who made the greatest sacrifice were the women folk who gave their husbands and sons to the cause of the Empire's defence in time of war. Now the leaders of a powerful nation with a form of madness sought to bring a blight over the lives of many people. There was only one way to restrain a madman, and that .was by force. So the call comes to the young men again to go forth and fight for liberty and justice and all that whicn life holds dear. The call which appeals to youth is the call of sacrifice, and doing something worthwhile. "We won the last war. but were defeated by the peace. We must see to it this time that it does not happen again,” he said in ending his address. The Mayor read the following comcommemoration sentence: "They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor 'he years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning. We still remember them.” The sounding of the "Last Post" and “Reveille” and the pronouncing of lhe Benediction ended an impressive service. from 1914 to 1919, was the speaker. His address is reported in another column. At the end of the service the Wanganui East Bugle Band played the "Last Post” and "Reveille.” Returned soldiers, headed by the Queen Alexandra Band, marched to the Victoria Hall after the service and were entertained to afternoon tea by a committee of ladies, to whom Mr. Cannan expressed thanks. Organisation of the service was in the hands of a committee on which were represented the military, the civic authorities, the Ministers’ Association, and the R.S.A. Much of the work fell to Mr. C. R. White, the town clerk. CATHOLIC OBSERVANCE Catholic returned soldiers attended Mass in St. Mary’s Church yesterday morning, which was offered up for the souls of those who died in the war. The celebrant was Rev. Father C. 5. Outtrim. In the afternoon there was the Rosary, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Father Outtrim read out a list of the Catholic soldiers from Wanganui who had died in the last war. There was a large congregation.