ANZAC DAY RELIGIOUS SERIVCES

Chronicle (Levin), 26 July 1946, Page 5

ANZAC DAY RELIGIOUS SERIVCES

— Press Association

By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, July 25. Strong-criticism of the discussion on Anzac I)ay services which took place at the Auckland Anglican Synod on

Wednesday, was made by the president of the Auckland Returned Services Association, Mr. A. P. Postlewaite, in a statement. Reference was made at the Synod to a proposal of the executive of the New' Zealand R.S.A. in reconimending that religious elements be omitted at Anzirc Day gatlierings held under its auspices, said Mr. Postlewaite. Tlio statement was incorrect and misleading. What had been proposed was to eliminate any element of sectarianism which existed in a number of other places in the Dominion where, at Anzac Day services, prayers, invocations and addresses were delivered by clergyinen of various denominations. This liad meant that on Anzac Days over the years, members of other faitlis had either not attended or had had religious scruples in attending. ' ' This difticulty was experiencecl many years ago and the Auckland R.S.A. was responsible for the service which is at present conducted at II a.m.," said Mr. Postlewaite. "I am literally staggered at the assertion that our .11 o'clock Anzac Day service is hardly a religious service. On the contrary, I claim that the service has a very high spiritual and religious significance," Mr. Postlewaite stated. Anzac Day was a day of remembrance and that remembrance was experienced in the heart and did not need the eoaching or teaching of the clergy, he added. Any attempt to interfere with or influence any change in the 11 o'clock service, was not only misguided but completely unwarranted.