ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 178, 23 April 1919, Page 8

ANZAC DAY

4 THE COMPLETED ARRANGEMENTS A GOVERNMENT HOLIDAY It will be four years on Friday morning next since the New Zealand forcee landed under a hail of shot and shell on the barren shores of Gallipoli Penin6ula. now to all intents and purposes in British hands, with the Dardanelles open to,the fleets of the Allies. The day i 3, of all days, sacred to the Dominion, as it was at Gallipoli our men received their baptism of fire in Europe, and'il was thero that some of our severest losses were sustained. There are those who at the time called that great adventure a mistake, but later critics do nol -agree that, the Gallipoli campaign was a vain one, as it weakened the TurkoCierman forces in other, remote theatres, and so helped to pave the way for ultimate victory, calculated to crush the Ottoman power for all timo In Europe. It, is a day of great solemnity—an "in memoriam" that is destined .to play an important part as 'far as New Zealand is concerned. Special arrangements have been made by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association to fittingly honour the day in Wellington.' At 2.15'p.m.1 on Friday all returned soldiers in Wellington ■ and the surrounding districts are to parade in khaki at Grey Street (opposite the Heturned Soldiers' Club), and, headed by tbe Patriotic Society's Band and the Wellington Tramways Band, will form up under-the direction of Colonel J. G. Hughes, C.M.G., D.5.0., and march, via Lambton Quay, Willis Street, Manners 'Street, ami Lower Cuba Street, to the Town Hall, where a special memorial service will be held in nonour of those who fell at Gallipoli. The service will be conducted by Canon Taylor, the Revs. J. G. Wilson, and A. A. Bewsloy (Army ohapiains), and Captain Gray. Lieu-tenant-Colonel W. K. Fyffo will preside at tbo grand organ. At the conclusion of. the service the "Last .l-'ost" will be sounded, and the "Dead March" will be played by Dr. Fyffe. For the occasion the" hall is being especially decorated in violet and white draping, relieved simply and effectively with laurel wreaths artistically disposed. In the evening- an entertainment will be given under the auspices of the Returned Soldiers' Association. The principal speakers will be Lieutenant-Colonel Guv'Powles, C.M.G., D.S.O. (who went right through the Palestine, campaign ud till a few days before General Alienor's final round-up and the armistice with Turkey), and Captain Doorly, an officer who was twice a passenger in 6teamere that were torpedoed, (one occasion being l when the Union S.S. Company's steamer Aparima was sunk with great loss of lifej. Major (Dr.) Peter Buck may also be present to tell something of the deeds of the Maori coniincent. The musical programme will be provided exclusively by returned soldiers. Anzac Day a Holiday. Cabinet decided yesterday to proclaim 'Anzac Day (Friday next) a Government holiday throughout New Zealand. The Mayors of the cities and boroughs throughout the Dominion arc being -asked bv the-Acting-Prime Minister to invite the general public to observe Friday as a whole holiday. Final arrangements have been made by the Eeturned Soldiers' Association for the fitting celebration of Anzac Day. A big parade of returned men will be held at 2la p.m. on Friday afternoon, the assembly noint being Grey Street, opposite the Soldiers' Club-house, Permission has been obtained from the G.O.C. for the men to wear their uniforms, and bands will be in attendance. Tho parade will maroh along Lambton Quay,. Willi* Street, Manners Street, and Lower Cuba Street to the Town Hall, where a public memorial service is to be held, the clnciattng clergy being all Army chaplains. Tho bottom floor of the Town Hall has been reserved for men in uniform, and the publio will not be admitted to that floor until after the soldiers have been admitted. In the evening a concert with appropriate programmes has been arranged. . '