ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3042, 31 March 1917, Page 15

ANZAC DAY

Sir,—l just wish to endorse the opinion of "Mother" re Anzao Day. She is the firsi to show any proper spirit in .regard to that day, and I 'quite agreo with what she says. You; have only got to read sentences such! as thosd from' the men at' the front to realise, what Anzac Day will always mean to them: "Some of our bravest'and best, are, sleeping at. Anzab. .Cove,', others 'are -woiuided and.., invalidedout." One has only- to''nbtic'o'tbe , turned men—aye, returned,, thank God,' only maybe maimed for the' rest of their lives—amongst ,'ns how, to realise a little better'what these-men have gone through for us—us here, who tho, war hasn't touched yet, except through our men. and for Old England, to which: most of us -boast as .belonging' to. Surely New Zealand 1 has holidays.and sports enough (and there has been little cessation of ' them during this torriblewar), without turning suoh a day as Anzao Day into a holiday for sports. There are many days kept which Anzao Day might well take the place of now. Imagine the feelings of those returned men and'those who have lost, their friends and loved ones at people turning out for a holiday that, day.. If it is to bo kept,- keep it in a -fitting manner. Far better turn ; it; into a Memorial Day, and have a memorial service, held at the same' hour throughout the There might be ono who thought nothing, of such a day, but there would be twenty who would. No one who attended Major Waite's leoture could look upon such a day.'as a day of pleasure, surely. ■-. The men didn't give their live 1 } just for their own womenfolk, for many of the brave fellows have no ono but themselves. to think of, but for the women and children of the country, and surely-the men whoaroloft can-'keop that'day in memory of those that went. The name Anzao should.bo kept sacred, and I think there 'could bo no bettor way 1 to keep it than'to arrange' a paradb of such men as aro 'on tho ovo of leaving us and the returned men, both Army'and Navy, and hold a memorial service, either in tho Town Hall or their Weral churche&i or, better still, Basin Reserve, if-.fit weather ; and if. a collection 'were. taken up .it, might go toivaTdi3 ■' a ' pennaneaiib memorial after the war, or for comforts now for tho men. This would serve not only as a memorial for Anzacs. but for all, those sleeping in the 'distant land. Some might give their time and 1 cars that day to take the men who are in hospital'out. I was glad to sco the Government had made a law to keep the name Anzao sacred, and not allow it to become a pioturesque trade mark. That day brought the war homo to us more than anything had, or has done but when we see such headlines as ' Hospital Ship Sunk," or "Passenger Liner Torpedoed," we surely want to think of something else than self and -plea r sure. Wo hear of people making it a praotice> to go to picture shows, and yet won't give to the, war funds. Ferhaps the picture proprietors that day would give their proceeds towards an Anzao Day fund, as they seem to be a paying concern. Hoping .I. haven t taken up too mubh space.—l am, etc., ONE-OP l-HE "ANZAO'S". WOMEN.