ANZAC DAY

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3935, 27 April 1929, Page 2

ANZAC DAY

COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES HELD. Anzae Day was fittingly observed both publicly and with special church services in St. Mary’s and All Saints’ on Thursday. The weather except for a slight shower in the morning, held fine. The |>arade of returned men, cadets, scouts and guides was both impressive and inspiring. As the returned men marched past one’s thoughts naturally recalled the past and “absent coimrades.” To the returned men such occasions have a deeper background than can be realised by others and their presence links up the past with the (present.

A parade was held in Main St. in the afternoon of Returned men under Lieut. J. F. Riches, Senior Cadets, under Sergt. Major A. E. Scott, the Fire Brigade ,Boy Scouts, under Scoutmaster R. Warwick, Girl Guides, Salvation Army Guides, Brownies and representatives of the Friendly Societies. The parade was headed by the Foxton Silver Band under the conductorship of Bandmaster W. S. Heyes and the procession marched from the Council Chambers to the Town Hall, where a public service was held. Mr. M. E. Perreau (Mayor) presided and after the singing of the National Anthem, spoke briefly on the object of the celebration of Anz-ac Day. Although Anzae Day whs set aside to remind people of the great sacrifice made by thousands of men our thoughts should go back to those men every day of the year, said Mr. Perreau, and we should endeavour to lead better lives that our individual good living might he reflected on the National life of the country. The people could do more that all the pacts and Leagues of Nations. Mr. Perreau referred to the fact that the Returned men were a fast diminishing band. It could not increase it was true but it behoved every citizen to carry on the good work of those men and not to be unmindful of the great sacrifices made by them. Let it be remembered that the sword separates while the Cross v unites. The grave of every fallen soldier was-marked by a cross, showing unity. Let the thoughts of the people turn to peace and let the sword be put away for ever.

The hymn “0 God our Help in Ages Past” was sung, and was followed by a prayer by Rev. Nicholas (Presbyterian). The hymn “Lead Kindly Light” was then sung after which a portion of Scripture was read by Captain Matheson (Salvation Army), an apology being made for the unavoidable absence of Rev. Edmondson (Methodist). Eollowing the Scripture reading Mr. G. F. Smith rendered the solo “Land of Hope and Glory,” Miss E. Patterson playing the accompaniment. The address was given by Rev. Walton who referred to the sacredness of Anzae Day and said that those who were inclined to criticise the upkeeping of this day were those who had suffered the least through the war and those who had gained the least experience from the conflict. The great sacrifice of those men w-lio lost their lives in the Great War could never be forgotten but there was something we should do besides merely remembering. We had our duty to do. What had we done to help or to clean up after the war. Rev. Walton took his text from the 17th ■Chapter of St. Luke, ‘2lst verse: “Neither shall they say, ’Lo, here! ’or ’Lo, there!’ for behold the Kingdom of God is within you,” and quoted the remarks of the well known author Arthur Mee in reference to war. To-day the fear of war was within the nations and it rested with the individual people to quell this fear. The Kingdom of God was within each heart and progress could only come from the people themselves. For' four years our men suffered the greatest of hardships on the battle front and to-dav what had we done towards making things better. What progress had we made towards universal peace. Rev. Walton quoted that portion of scripture taken from the (Sermon on the Mount, wherein the Lord said “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be caled the children of God,” and read the Bishop of Wfinohester’s opinion in regard to war wherein he stated that so long as the fear of war existed so long would there be wars among the nations. This is the chief thing we had to fight against, the fear of war, and this could be conquered by leading better lives. Only a day or so ago there had appeared in the press of this country a statement showing that £2OO per aninute was being expended to-day in the manufacture of armaments. This was not fighting the fear of war. Economically, socially and morally we had to take the matter up. We had only to think of the different channels into which the enormous sums of money expended on war could he converted to make us realise the practical side of it. Quoting from the Old Testament Rev. Walton referred to Daniel’s vision and explained the reason for the vision and why Daniel alone saw it. He alone of all the men in Babylon, the city of wickedness, was leading a good life. It behoved each one of us not to waste God’s gifts to us but to develop them for the betterment of mankind, that the glorious sacrifices made by our men in the Great War might be justified. The hymn “0 Valliant Hearts” and the Benediction by Rev. Walton brought a close to the service. 'The parade then marched to the Triangle and foijmed up around £he Soldiers’ monument, when the various sections of the parade placed their wreaths on the monument

followed by the Band’s rendition of the “Garland of Flowers.” The “Last Post” was sounded by Sergt. Bugler B. Walls, which brought to a close a very impressive ceremony. A number of private wreaths were placed on the Monument during the day. AT THE SEASIDE. A service was held at the Beach Hall at 9 o’clock and attended by beaieli residents tand School children. A brief address was given by the Rev. Mr. Walton. DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. An impressive service was held at the Disti-ict High School at 10 a.m. 'The scholars, senior cadets, scouts and Brownies, coimmittee and parents were in attendance. Mr. J. K. Hornblow presided and the following programme was carried out: National Anthem, children’s hymn, the flag saluted and Declaration recited; hymn, “O God our Help;” prayer, Rev. W. H. Nicholas; scripture reading, Captain Matheson; address by Rev. W. H. Walton, who spoke on “watchfulness, faithfulness, courage and strength;” Kipling’s Rescessional;” Benediction, Captain Matheson; reading of school Roll of Honour, by the headmaster (Mr. F. A. Mason); placing' of laurel wreath on the school memorial by the senior scholar, Theo. Perreau; and the ‘ “Last Post” was sounded by Sergt.Bngler Walls. The chairman paid a compliment to the smart appearance and fine muster of cadets, scouts, guides and brownies. AT OROUA DOWNS. In the evening the local Returned Soldiers’ Committee made arrangements for a suitable celebration at Oroua Downs. Rev. Nicholas (Presbyterian) presided. The service was on similar lines to those of the local service. Mr. M. E. Perreau made the introductory remarks, a prayer was offered up hv Rev. Nicholas, and hymns were tsung. The Foxton ’Silver Band was (in attendance and played accompaniments. Rev. Walton delivered the address and the Band played “Garland of Flowers,” .and Sergt. Bugler Walls sounded the “Last Post.” At the conclusion of the service the visitors were hospitably entertained by a committee of Oroua Downs ladies to supper.