ANZAC DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2268, 26 April 1921, Page 2

ANZAC DAY.

UNITED MEMORIAL SERVICE,

Anzac Day, yesterday, was observed as a public holiday throughout the .Dominion, and as a solemn day of remembrance. The'Mayor arranged a. combined memorial service in the Alasonic Hall at 11 a.m., at which there was a representative attendance, including returned soldiers and relatives of those who had made the supreme sacrifice, and who had taken part in the great war. The stage was occupied by the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) and the Revs.'Walton (Anglican), Holliday (Presbyterian) and Alinifie (Methodist). Mr Thornbur presided at the piano. The service commenced with the singing of the hymn, “0 God, Our Help in Ages Past,” followed with a prayer by the Rev. Thomas Ilaljiday. The Mayor briefly referred to the object of the gathering, and made touching allusion to the memory of the glorious dead, and the great sacrifices they had made on our behalf. The hymn “For All the Saints,” was sung, and the Rev. Air Walton read the Scripture lesson from Ecclesiastes, chap. 11. A very impressive address was delivered by the Rev. L. Alinifie, who referred to Christ as the ideal leader and His command, “Follow Me.” The message from the glorious dead on Gallipoli was to follow them in Righteousness, Sacrifice and Service. This was a message to the British Empire. A lifting of the veil disclosed that much of the nation’s righteousness was of the Pharasaical order. Evil and greed was still rampant, and the danger signals were being disregarded. Only through righteousness could the nation become great and powerful. The sacof the war were made to uphold righteousness, and in this the glorious dead beckoned us. The glorious deeds of those whose memories we to-day honoured assisted to uphold the arm of right which evil was ever seeking to drag down. Greed and selfishness must be banished from our national and commercial life. The call from the men of Anzac was clear to righteousness and freedom. He concluded by quoting the following lilies; —

“These things shall be! a loftier race Than e’er the world hath known shall rise, With flame of freedom in their souls And light of knowledge in their eyes. They shall be gentle, brave, and strong To spill no drop of blood, but dare All that may plant man's loril-hi|< firm On earth, and tire, and sea, and air. Nation with nation, land with land, Unarmed shall live as comrades free; In every heart and brain shall throb The pulse of one fraternity. Alan shall love man with heart as pure And fervent as the young-eyed joys Who chant their heavenly songs before God’s face with lindisc'ordahi noise. New arts shall bloom of loftier mould. And mightier music thrill the skies, And every life shall be a song, When all the earth is paradise.” Kipling’s hymn was sung, and the Rev. Walton concluded a very impressive ceremony with the Benediction. During the day a number of wreaths were placed at the foot of the soldiers' memorial in the Triangle. MESSAGE FROM TIIE KING. Auckland, April 24. The Governor-General has issued the following Anzac Day message: —“His Alajcsty the King commands me to tell the people of New Zealand that his thoughts are with them in the hours consecrated to the immortal memory of those who fell on the first Anzac’Dav.”