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Hokitika Guardian, 4 June 1930, Page 4

Tun quest (op of (.lie retention of Anzac Day in its present accepted form, appears to be a mailer of some enn(roversv. H is satisfactory to note • hat the retlP'ii'il soldiers’ organisa-

tions are prelesl jug slmiiglv againsl any all om j:( to del rad from the solemnity of the occasion hv giving it less nolable recognil ion than at present, A pail from I lie suggest inn by some.

university mboils r< f ithe <'’*- \":i *!<••» u!' i'li' tl.-iv. (hr Dlllied'H !\?;imul';ii'( lifers' Assoeia Gnu lists r.v.sod i >!) )< m-1 ion In lli(' (>l(»‘-»'M t ! >llll ol nhserv:tli 11 h mi Ibe if !•( ■!' nds Mini ii interu'illi I>i»>-illcss ! '!'li i>■; siiiro-nsi inn s l ,!'o , ii.| v rt'Minl in Iml h\ li-it : 1 1 it;*; rnlurn- <>( I limn in Sun llilnin I. iiinl cue hm-iliess tinm, \v!iu is ;iKn n re I il riled snldior asked : “Where would I In* business men of I lie foiln I. ry In* il lli'‘ nii'H wo n■ in<*i tilu-r nil \ liy.ae IbiY 1 1:l<I lint bellied in will the war V’ Another returned man pnt

tin- i.v-iK’ iliis way: 'Ml' 11 so war had

gone ike ul law nay uc might have hail another day to (-elcbrate !’’ The point to remember • regarding Anzae Day is liiai ii is nut a day of celebration, hut one o!' iui.i nic morn lion. 'I lie New Zealand .soldiers uho embarked totalled IIL'.JoS and el these ueaily 2i),olX> ilied oil active service, wh.lo over •It).(K’v) were wounded. ’! hose Figures show at a glance how impressive is the obligation to remember and recall so great a

sacrifice not only for New Zealand, but also for Ike. Umpire and the world at la roe. It is altogether pleasing and satisfactory to note that in liokilika the commemoration of the day is very respect fully observed, ana the recognition of the (Mtasion appreciated at .its proper worth. It iias to he borne in mind that An/ac Day is intended as a holy ilav aid not as a holiday. In

speaking of the occasion the other day a redurni'd soldier said that the pnhl c should disabuse their minds of the idea that An/atc Day was merely a. holiday. Anzae Day was a day of remembrance, and every soldier who joined in the parades met the old comradc-s and was reminded of other comrades who were gone. He was a better man and a better citizen for doing so. Returned soldiers lmd learned to- know the true worth of their comrades, and it was well that they should have a definite occasion to remember and appreciate it. But for the public, there is another aspect also of a salutary character. The emphasis laid on the toll of war .should he a reminder to pubi c opinion that there should he no more war. The experienee of the past should he education enough to warn the nation that it shoul not lightly enter upon a period o fsaeritice such as modern warfare ininoses. • AVe do not know that the safer guarding of Auzao Day should he left wholly to the returned men, hut if it is, it will he in good hands. Their wishes in the matter are worthy the fullest respect, and any alteration in or curtailment of their day of memory suould not he countenanced.