SPIRIT OF ANZAC

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 122, 27 April 1925, Page 5

SPIRIT OF ANZAC

NOT ONE OF MILITARISM COMRADES WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received April 27, 5.5 a.m. LONDON, April 25.

Field Marshal Birdwood, presided at a dinner attended by 40 Anzacs at the Hotel Victoria to commemorate Anzac Day. The Toast “Absent Comrades” was honoured in silence. The chairman read a telegram from General lan Hamilton, conveying affectionate greetings, and also greetings from Anzacs in the Indian army. The chairman said he would be delighted to convey greetings to the Twentyninth Division at the latter’s dinner to-morrow. It was that division which first showed the Anzacs what the British soldier really was. He was £.ur prised that one Australian state tabooed the Anzac observance “because is maintained the spirit of militarism.” “I send Anzac greetings to that state the same as to the rest of Australia,” he said, “but l I would point out that nobody need fear it is fostering a spirit of militarism. Rather they should feel grateful that their comrades proved themselves the men they did. It is in that spirit that we wish to see Anzao Day observed. It is the biggest day in Australian history. Australia remembers the anniversary of Cook’s landing, but Anzac Day signalised the Australians stepping into nationhood.” Speakers pointed out the paradox that Sir William Birdwood was a field-marshal in the British Army list, but only a general in the Australian list.

• Field-Marshal Birdwood, in a message to New Zealand sends: “Heartiest greetings to the Government and people. I know that to-day the memory of fallen comrades is very vividly with us. They will never be forgotten by us, who, by God’s grace, returned to our homo lands.”

General Godley has requested Sir James Allen to transmit Anzac greetings to the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and also concern at Mr Massey’s illness.—A. and N.Z. cable.