ANZAC DAY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 171, 15 April 1921, Page 5

ANZAC DAY

SHOULD BE HELD SACRED DISCUSSION BY WAIRARAPA R.S;A. 'By Telsirarji.—Special Correspondent Masterton, April 14. Referring to the Dunedin resolution urging the Government to prohibit picture shows on Anzac Day, Mr. J. Hebenton said at to-night's meeting of the Wairarapa R.S.A. that local soldiers had Kad this matter brought forcibly to their notice. They deeirod to hold a memorial service in the Opera House, which was leased from the Trust Lande Trust by a picture company. The company had granted them the use of the theatre on payment of the fee provided the building was vacated by four o’clock to enable a picture show to be held. Surely it was a scandalous state of affairs that the soldiers should be charged for the use of a building for a sacred purpose, that building being the property of the public. The secretary Raid that last year the charge was 80s., but this year, if electric lighting could bo done without, they had been informed that they would only be charged £2. The Rev. G. T.. Brown, M.A., said that Anzac Day was the one day in the year to be held as specially sacred, and it was a most shameful thing that it should be used for metre money-making purposes. Representations should be made to the general conference to secure this day ns a sacred day of memorial throughout New Zealand, and returned soldiers should unite in fighting for that object. Other speakers spoke of the necessity of making future leases between the picture company and the Trust Land Trust definite on the point of the sacrednose of Anzac Day, and providing that the hall must not be charged for when used for memorial services.

A resolution of protest was carried unanimously.