THE ANZAC MARCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10272, 6 May 1919, Page 4

THE ANZAC MARCH

Sir James Allen lias very properlyasked for an explanation of tin, absenco of the New Zealand troops from the military celebrations or Anzac Day in London. The answer ho has got is that as there was to bo another march, in which the New Zealanders were to take part, the officer commanding did not consider it advisable to have t"0 marches, and therefore decided not to take advantage of the somewhat belated invitation ho received to Join tlio Australians in the Anzac Day function. It is very satisfying to learn that the New Zealand troops did have their march in due course, and that the King was present. lint we cannot help thinking that the decision not to join tiho Australians on Anzac Day was an error in judgment. -tuzuc Dnv was the greater occasion, and its importance to the New Zc f la " d ,.* ~,, verv great. They hud dniderl the honours of the great landing, and they mmht to have divided the lioncms ot 'the “ nniversary. Thu lost opportunity was compensated somewhat ny the other function, no doubt; hut the essential thing, the comradeship of Australian and New Zealander, was missed. Both ha-vo been spearheads in three great fronts of the wav Gallipoli, the West front, and Palestine. Both have earned high distinction, by their ousage and their initiative; bj the splendid leadership of their officers, and the, prowess under that leadership of their men, brilliant in attack and stubborn in defence; and in Palestine the Australians and Now Zealanders furnished half the magnificent cavalry so wonderfully manoeuvred by General Allen by. A'march together, and they alone, would have given histone completeness to their united story. Surely that was enough to make two marches worth while. As a matter ot fact, the Australian General thought so, for he sent -his troops into the later march. That also was a march worth while, for it brought together units of all the oversea troops, who have fought together throughout. Canadians, Australians, New Zealand men. South Africans, and tho rest, marching together, formed a solid, brilliant reminder of the outer Empire’s great work in the war. 'Ve speak in no invidious spirit, contending that Anzac Day ought to have its united show on the anniversary of a great military effort, united, unique, and unexpected. While regretting that the opportunity for that was missed, wo cheerfully acknowledge the pleasure the account of tho later march, expressing a wider Imperial union, haa given us. We are proud that out men marched with tho Canadians, whose heroism in the Second Hattie of Yprcs saved the day after the enemy's tremendous gas attack; who carried tho Vi my Ridge, which had baffled the. best troops of Britain and France: and formed part with our own men of the splendid force which swept the enemy, from the Hindonhurg line. Also nro wo proud that they were with tho Africans, who had worked so splendidly with them in the first battle of the Somme, and received their cheers at Delvillc Wood. Also that they were alongside the Australian conquerors ot Bullicourt and Villcrs-Brctonnoux. Wo acknowledge with the utmost heartiness the magnificent work- of all tho troops, froip ..Overseas. But for all that wo regret that our General did not rise to the great occasion of Anzac Day.