ANZAC COMMEMORATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 21, 28 April 1947, Page 5

ANZAC COMMEMORATION

IMPRESSIVE UNITED SERVICE HEROES OF TWO WARS PARADE AND DEDICATION With the mutter of thunder in the distance as threatening storm clouds retreated inland, the Anzac Day Service in Whakatane in the shadow of historis Pohaturoa Rock was given an impressive if unexpected background, last Friday. The parade and service which were conducted in the usual manner in which Whakatane has honoured the occasion over the years, was attended by a greater number of returned men than ever before and the parade down the Strand can definitely be described as the largest of its kind yet held in the town.

All units paraded at the lower Strand and to music by the Caledonian Society’s Pipe Band stepped off in the following order—Returned Soldiers’ Home Servicemen, St. John Cadets, Nursing Division, Boys’ Brigade, Girl Guides, Scouts and Cubs.

Upon arrival at Pohaturoa the Returned men who numbered over 200took up their position west of the Cenotaph whilst all other parading uhits faced the Rock from the main roadway acting as an effective break to the general public who were present in greater numbers than usual. On the official dais were His Worship the Mayor of Whakatane, Mr B. S. Barry, Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., Mr J. Mullins, Chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr W. R. Boon, Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mr Les Luxton (County Council Representative), and Rev. J. G. Laughton, H. Bell, H. Hogg and Fraser, (Presbyterian) and W. Rangi (Anglican). Proceedings opened with the National Anthem played by the Citizens Band and the order of service, proceeded as under: Hymn, ‘All People That on Earth do Dwell’; Praper, Rev Kihoro Te Puawhe;' Hymn, Kipling’s Recessional; Scripture Reading, Rev Fraser; Hymn, ‘Through the Night of Doubt and Sorrow’; Anzac Address, Rev. W. Rangi; Hymn, ‘Nearer My God To Thee’; Benediction, Rev. J. • G. Laughton. The sounding of the Last Post and the two minutes silence which followed furnished a deep and reverential note which provided thef apex of the gathering and was not untouched with deep personal emotion as hundreds turned their thoughts to near relatives who would not return and to whom the Anzac Service is dedicated. The official wreaths were then laid at the foot of the Cenotaph which soon became a blaze of colour as the floral tributes from all sections of the parade and later from individual members of the crowd were heaped about its base. The returned men then carried out once more that touching gesture which had so appealed to visitors—the planting of poppies from Poppy Day in the form of a large marked cross on the green sward. One by one each man came forward and

placed his simple tribute to his fallen comrades until the cross gleamed in an outline of red.

Reformed the parade moved off once more, this time down Commerce Street whence it wheeled and repassed the Cenotaph where each its way to the Eastern Strand for unit saluted the memoral as it made dismissal. STRIKING ADDRESS THE LESSON OF ANZAC MAORI PADRE’S ADDRESS . “By way of introduction I will quote an old Maori chant which means ‘there is growth within and without; there is growth of light in a world of light when life emerges from a world of darkness, and proclaims ‘Behold I am alive’.” In this way Rev. Wharetini Rangi, who gave the Anzac address at last Friday’s service, prefaced his remarks, likening as he said, the world today in the second year of peace, as having emerged from the five years darkness of' war and re-entering the sunlight of peace.

Anzac Day was a commemorative occasion when the sacrifices of those who died were remembered in solemn sincerity, and when from the ashes of war the Empire pledged itself to build anew the edifice of peace and understanding to even greater heights. Publicly we acknowledged • the pledge of remembrance to the gallant men who died in Gallipoli and in France in the first world war, and in Greece, Crete, Alamein, Tunisia and in Italy in the second. In the rhythm of marching feet Anzac Day was again consecrated to the valour bf New Zealand’s sons who lie in many a foreign field from Mount Olympus to the poppy fields of France. Thoughts turned to those who had fulfilled the great Christian covenant of love ‘Greater, love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for others.’

The speaker dwelt on the heroic Maori exploit of the scaling of the heights of Takrouna in the Tunisian campaign, which yielded to Lieut. Ngarimu the only Maori V.C. in history and said that this remarkable achievement had captured the imagination of the whole of the Eighth Army, and temporarily eclipsed all other events. To the Maori people it would ever act as an inspiration. Rev. Rangi said that throughout the world the sacrifices of the men who had fought in both wars would act as a spur to higher and nobler efforts of those who remained, for the maintenance of peace. It was fitting therefore that Anzac Day in New Zealand should follow the Christian festival of Lent. In a practical and sincere manner all could make their solemn rededication of loyalty to God, King & Country. In this spirit of thought New Zealanders could pray for the welding of the two races into one great brotherhood which could become a power in working for the establishment of peace on earth.