ANZAC DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1704, 26 April 1917, Page 3

ANZAC DAY.

YESTERDAY’S PARADE AND MEMORIAL SERVICE.

The second anniversary of the ever famous landing on Gallipoli was celebrated lot-ally yesterday by a parade ol relumed soldiers, territorials, senior and junior eadels, representatives of friendly societies, and Stale school children. The Borough Band led the procession, and played selections en route to the Town Hall. Although the weather was threatening, it did not keep residents indoors, and hundreds were present in (he street. The parade was in charge of Captain Me Murray and Lieut. Gahites, and was an appropriate interlude to the memorial service. The spacious Town Hall was Idled in every part for the service. The combined choirs, under Hu* leadership of Mr R. T. Hetty, led the singing, while Miss Betty (piano), Mr Monmui fflute), and Mr Lenihan (violin), provided the accompaniments. Printed forms of service were distributed among the audience. The service was of a very impressive nature, and was conducted by the Rev. W. Paine (Church of England), dev. J. Harding (Methodist), Limit. Trimm (Salvation Army), and Mr Hornhlow, in the unavoidable absence of the Rev. J. H. Bredin ('Presbyterian). The service commenced with the hymn, “0 God, our Help in Ages Past,” followed by a prayer by the Rev. J. Harding; hymn. “For the Men at the Front"; lirst lesson, Psalm XLVL, by Lieut. Trimm; second lesson, Ist Cor. XV., from the 20th verse to I he end, hy Mr Hornhlow: hvmn, “Recessional”; prayer and address, Rev. W. Raino; hymn, “Jons, Dover of My Sou!’ ; Benediclion and National Anthem. The dev. W. daine, in the course ( ,f an eloquent address, reviewed 1 he rise and fall of nations and the part war played in the proce;-s. When the call came to the Empire to light for freedom, I nil It and righteousness, we tell it was our duly to help the Molherland, to whom we owed our protection and freedom. Allhongh the call to armmean! sUiTering. privation, and death--war which at its he.-t is ghastly—i! was thrilling to see how the call was answered. The penalty was broken hearts, empty homes, fatherless children and widows, (he sorrow and-suffering was illumined hv pride for sacrifice in a great and noble cause. The speaker graphically described the landing on Gallipoli accomplishing a feat of arms which was considered impossible hy -ome of I he highest military critic.-. Wc commemorated the memory of those brave men. We wished I hem peace in Cod’s Kingdom and life everlasting. Their great deeds inspired n.~ In the struggle to overcome wickedness, the lot* without and within, and gave us a higher individual and national ideals. Those men who fought and died on Gallipoli disclosed that the spirit of Drake. Granville and Nelson still lived, and I hat great landing will stimulate our people for generations lo come. Sacrifices were still m he made on helnilf of the Empire, and much yet devolved upon ns. Three things must he kept in veiw, character, religion, and (rod. In lids way, and only in lids way, can I lie Empire exist and (he seeritiee of Callipoii he brought to a'successful' cud. Lot us, then, concluded the speaker, stand for true patriotism, high character, self-control, cleanliness of heart and lip, comradeship and hrolherhood. MINISTERIAL MESSAGE. TO OUR SOLDI EPS OVERSEAS. Sir •James Allen, Minister of Defence and Acting-Prim* l Minister,, has issued (lie following Anzac Day message to the High Commissioner, Id he communicated to the soldiers in hospital, lo General Godlcy, to he communicated to the troops in France, and to the OHieer Commanding in Egypt to be conveyed to the New Zealand troops with the army operating in Palestine. The message reads: — “To-day is the second anniversary of the historic lauding on Gallipoli, which will go down in history as one of the finest feats of daring in" which British soldiers have been engaged. Wc are proud to think that our New Zealand troops emerged from this ordeal proved and tit to rank amongst the bravest defenders of the Empire. “Since then much blood has been shed and many homes have been made desolate, but it has not been in vain. We stand to-day a united people, part of a united Empire, stronger than evtSr, but chastened by the seeritiees that have been forced upon us. Our troops are still fighting in the ‘far-flung 1 line,’ and , they will cuntimw to stand should-

er to shoulder with England and our Allies till an honourable and lasting peace has been secured. “Let us trust that Hie next time we celebrate Anzac Day it will be in peace, and that our soldiers will have returned to us. Let us also hope that when the clouds of war have rolled away its lessons will not be forgotten, and that we shall all realise that if a country is to be free its citizens must not only be prepared to die for it in time of war, but lo live for it in time of peace.” A FREE DAY IN FUTURE. “It was unfortunate,” said Sir James Allen, speaking to a Post reporter, “that the law provided that the municipal elections should take place on Anzac Day. It was on that account that the Government decided to observe Hie day on the 23rd. The Government did not want lo mix up universal patriotic sentiment with municipal or any other politics. However, we consider the day so important that we propose lo reserve it for memorial purposes, and 1 feel quite sure that Cabinet will agree to an amendment of (he Municipal Elections Act, which will leave the 25th April free for t he celebration of Anzac Dav.”