R.S.A. VIEWPOINT

Chronicle (Levin), 17 August 1946, Page 8

R.S.A. VIEWPOINT

WELLINGTON, August 16. In a statement issued by the Doihhiion President of the New Zealand Re turned Services' Association, JMr. B. J. Jacobs, attention is drawn to the fact that an impression appears to have been created that the New Zealand Returned Services' Association liad decided to eliuiinate all religious elemenG from future Anzac Day services. lie states most enipliatically that tlic Association has not decided. or even reeomniended that religious clements be ex cluded from Anzac Day services. A> a non-sectariau organisation, it was endeavouriug to compile an order of service for the inain Anzac Day service in each city or town where the service is under the control of the local R.S.A.. which would enable its members of all denoininations to participate therein without olfending the religious convictions or consciences of°"any member. Assuming, and it is by no means certain, that such an order of service is f'ound to be possilile and is compiled, it ' is to be circularised to all branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. to be approved by th^e majority of tliese branches before its adoption. A /lecision to avail itself of tliat. order of service would then be for the branches to determine. / The decision arrived at by the annual general meeting of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association is shown by the following extract from the minutes of that meeting: — "Tliat the Dominion executive eommittee be em- 5 powered to compile and submit to all local associations for approval, an order .of service for use at commemoration servieeg 011 Anzac Day; — otlier tliaiJ.

those services held in various churches — such order of service to be of such a nature that adlierents of any religion may attend and, if approved by .the majority of local associations, shall be known as the N.Z.R.S.A. Anzac Day service. ' ' In conclusion, the Dominion President assui'es the public and members of 'his Association that the New Zealand Returned Services' Association is deeply conscious of all tliat Anzac Day represents in this nation 's history.