ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 212, 2 June 1920, Page 6

ANZAC DAY

A STATUTORY HOLIDAY WANTED. The annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association yesterday carried n remit from Auckland urging that a~Hill be introduced during next session of Parliament providing that April 25 (Anzac Day) be a statutory close holiday, as a day of commemoration and a tribute to the memory of many thousands of New Zealand's sons who .laid down their lives in defence of the F/mpire. Mr. J. Moiling said ho thought it was only right that the association should have one day in the year as a day of commemoration. Thanks to the president of the association, Dr. Boxer, the services Inst Anzac Day were a wonderful success. The association had made a similar request on previous occasions, but, somehow.or other, the Government had hesitated to act, and it seemed as if thev only wanted to recognispythe big employers. He himself had never met better men in his 42 years of life than in the N.Z.E.F., and it was' •only right that the memory of the fallen should be properly preserved.

The remit was supported by other speakers, including l Dp. Boxer, who said it was only fitting that one day in the year should be set apart in commemoration of- all those members of the N.Z.E.F. whose eyes had been closed for over.

Delegates carried the remit standing, and it was resolved, on the suggestion of Mr. R. B. Bell (Wairoa) that Mr. Downie Stewart. M.P., should be asked to introduce a Bill.