The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1918. ANZAC DAY

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13750, 25 April 1918, Page 4

The Waikato Times With which is incorporated The Waikato Argus. THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1918. ANZAC DAY

Three years ago to-day the New Zealand and Australian troops made history. They landed at Anzac Cove, on the slopes of inhospitable Gallipo 1 ' in the face of fierce opposition, and thus made their initial entrance to a European battlefield under circumstances and conditions which acclaimed them in every way worthy of I'pit heritage as Britons. Their deeds of daring thrilled the world, for their t , .a was admittedly a remarkable feat of arms. Young and untried troops essayed and accomplished the impossible. The landing at Anzac is, without reservation, acknowledged to form an epic in the annals of warfare, and those, who essayed it were heroes to a man.' The Anzacs on that memorable Sunday morning proved their mettle and established their claim to be regarded as the compeers of the best. "Remember Gallipoli" has since been the rallying cry on the battlefields of France, where it has put fresh heart into our sorelytried troops, steeled them to fresh effort, and enable!] them to repel the persistent attacks of the enemy. That the spirit of the men of Anzac still animates our troops is shown by the graphic description of the fighting in Flanders supplied by Mr Malcolm Ross. In the face of fearful odds, and under great disadvantages, the New Zealanders fought so well and valiantly that the advance of the enemy was checked, and they won glowing encomiums from the Imperial officers under whose command the action was fought. It is fitting that such an account of the doings of our men should reach the Dominion on the eve of the anniversary of tlie celebrations of the achievements of the men of Anzac. It should suffice to steel toe resolve oi every man and woman in the community to make any sacrifices and to endure ail hardships to ensure that such valour and gallantry on the part of their sons and brothers shall not be in vain. We are feeling the stress of war to a greater degree than has been the case hitherto, and to an extent that none—not even the best-informed—antici-pated. We are being forced lo realise that to accomplish our purpose will require ever- ..riw' of rair national strength, the straining of our resources bet!: of men and treasure to their upmost limit, and the exercise of grim determination and fortitude of every Briton. Husbands and fathers are now being called upon to enter the ranks, and there is no sign of the end. We have pledged ourselves "to the last man and the last shilling." That pledge we are now called upon to redeem, and to do so we will require to be baptised with the spirit of the men of Anzac —a spirit of undaunted \r'.ou., \ rseverancc and devotion to duty. Throughout the Dominion to-day the people are, at the call of the Government, joining in reverent comnicnnntion of the sacrifices \. adc thr

ago by our bravo men in the stiugglu for the maintenance of Liberty, Truth and Justice amongst the peoples of the earth. It is meet and proper that such commemoration should be closely associated with the religious life of the people, and that, setting aside for the nonce the shibboleths and dogmas which ordinarily divide them, they should unite upon the ground o" common citizenship to do honour to the memory of the departed brave, and at the same time to solemnly pledge themselves not to look back from the great and arduous task which has been placed upon them as a people who profess to subscribe to the principles laid down by the Founder of the Christian Faith.