ANZAC DAY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5418, 1 May 1929, Page 2

ANZAC DAY.

Sir, —The bugle-call of 1914 ; the clarion call to defend the Motherland against the foe ; the conflict to save the world and democracy ; the war to end wars : has it left us lessons worthy of our study ? Have dark 1914-1919 days left us fading memories of the ghastliness of war and the futility of battle to solve world problems ? It would seem that our lesson has gone unlearnt if the tone of the address of Paeroa’s Anzac Day Service is any criterion. The “glories” of war, the march of militarise, is broadcasted from innumerable loudspeakers without bringing Anzac Day and its ceremony into the movement, Anzac Day, with its tender memories to militarist and anti-militarist alike, is becoming monopolised by the next war spirit. In these days the real meaning of war should still be vividly before us, in spite of the' meaningless similes, platitudinous phrases, and flag-waving of world statesmen while the national armaments race is proceeding apace and mock battles are being staged by our military fanatics. The young citizen of to-day is being reared and educated in an atmosphere pregnant with militarist doctrine which must shortly by its very intensity give birth to disaster. The peoples of the world have within their grasp a weapon which would for ever banish the demon of war. The founding and inculcation of an international brotherhood not confined to national borders, creed, or colour, but founded on national sympathy and understanding in place of inter-racial suspicion and hate, would blot out the fear or coming conflict. Are we to rear our children as cannon-fodder to satisfy the insatiable greed of our militarists ? A khaki-clad, military ceremonial Anzac Day is a slur on the men who laid down their lives in the belief that the Great War was a war to' end wars. Even the faithfulness of a local musical combination which, over a period, has rendered suitable Anzac Day selectiqns, has been supplanted by an “imported” khaki-clad combination. “The tumult and the shouting dies—the captains and the

kings depart.” The memory of the nation seems short and the sacrifice of no avail if we are to make Anzac Day a celebration of pageantry and glorification of war. LEST WE FORGET.