Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY. APRIL 23 1917 ANZAC DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY. APRIL 23 1917 ANZAC DAY.

The landiog at Gallipoli two years ago made history. It was the blooding of th 6 Australasian troops in this great war, and it placed the colonial soldier side by side with the veteran of the British Army, for in the time of stress and trial the colonial comported bimetlf no leas bravely than did the regular soldier of the British force. The most notable events in British history are the successive wars, whioh whether on land or sea have helped to make the British Empire what it is to-day, Trafalgar Day, Waterloo Day, Balaclava Day, are notable mile stones along the national highway, and in the same manner Anzao Day has come to be regarded as a mile stone in our own national history. It was no small achievement that was performed on that ragged Galiipolian beach two years ago. The task was a difficult one, for a hostile force held the heights. Besides, the Australasian troops > were untried iu the stern realities of war. But at the call of duty there were not any misgivings about making good. The men were taken to the shore in the early morning in small boats —every man equipped for the desperate fray. The fight began before the men could reach dry land, But bullets could not delay the lending. It went on steadily all the morning, the troops pouring ashore as fast as the boats conld work the beach, even though the landing were dominated by the Turkish guns. It wab a splendid feat carried through unflinchingly and won for our troops undying fame. Anzao Day is now embalmed in history, and it is a proud thing to be an Anzao. Gallipoli called for great sacrifice* on the part of the colonials, and those sacrifices were willingly made. We know that

“ We tens of thousands youth and manhood went “To fight, to conquer, or to die, content.” The war shall leave ns in New Zealand other days of stirring memory, but this the first, was in some respects the greatest of them all, for it showed to all the world the supreme -devotion of the Overseas soldiers to tbs Motherland. “By land and sea their pride of ' race was proved. "In dyiDg bravely for the Land they loved.”

Looking back 'over the two years which have intervened since Anzao Day, we must realise that that conrageoas landing was bnt the beginning of great and noble deeds for the sacred rights of liberty and freedom. Oar men have gone on fighting bravely, living np to the magnificent traditions created by the famous Anzao Day. In this way the event has become %a something apart in onr |history and connection with the war, and to the men who fonght there, there is a distraction attached which all the Empire has recognised, and which “ Punch ” has pot into the following telling lines:— “ Thera are plenty of slouch hatted soldiers in town, “Doughty and debonair, stalwart and brown , Some are from Weymouth or Salisbury Plain, > O.hers have “ pushed on the western campaign. Call them “Overseas Sildiers" or “Down under Men,” Declare that each one is daring as ten ; Call them “Cornstalks” or “Pernleaves”—all out for a fight ; “Bat don’t call them Anzacs, for that isn’t right. The Anaecd—their ranks are but scanty all told—

Have a separate record illuminated in go'd. Their blood on Gallipoli ridges they poured ; Their" souls with the soars of that struggle are scored. Not many are left; and net many are sound, And thousands lie buried in Turkish ground. These are the Aczacs; the others may claim Their zeal and their spirit—bnt never their name.”

The Anzao band are thus a legion apart, ard as such they Bbould be deservedly honored. They were the first to shoulder the harden of Empire, and fight the good fight for the vindication of civilisation. To-day is St George’s Day, and we are reminded by tradition what St George (the patron saint of England) did long centuries ago in killing the dragon then besetting Christianity. To day a double-dyed dragon is the enemy of civilisation, and hosts of modern St Georges are in the making hitting at the desperate enemy whose claws are at last being broken of. The future holds much that is stirring, but the page apart which the Aneacs have already written can h?rdly be emulated, for by their deeds they have given to the Dominioa a tradition that shall never die, a record which shall stand for all time to tell of the prowess of the young nation when dnty called in the hour of stress aud trial and supreme sacrifice.