THE PUTARURU PRESS. Phone 28 P.O. Box 44 Office Oxford Place WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1929. A.N.Z.A.C.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 285, 24 April 1929, Page 4

THE PUTARURU PRESS. Phone 28 P.O. Box 44 Office Oxford Place WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1929. A.N.Z.A.C.

TO-MORROW Anzac Day will be celebrated not only throughout New Zealand but in England and other parts. It is hoped that the timely words of the Governor-General in regard to the manner Of participation will bear fruit. In the past influences foreign to the true conception of the day have crept into its observance, and these should be removed else the great meaning of the celebration will tend to be obscured. A.N.Z.A.C. are not, as some speakers would have us believe, initials selected fo3- the name of a national holy day in commemoration of Gallipoli. The name Anzac stands for something bigger and greater than this conception. Anzac Day commemorates the wonderful spirit of New Zealand troops as proven in their first baptism of fire at Suvla Bay and their behaviour right on till the Armistice was signed in France. It covers Mesopotamia, Palestine, and all other war centres and not least the; bearing of our boys on • leave. Others have passed judgment on New Zealand’s troops and that judgment was, according to expert army and civilian rating, first in war and first in peace. In each sphere they were glorious and it is this wonderful spirit to which the nation should testify when it remembers its departed sons. They fought that we might live; in honoring them may we endeavour to strive to be worthy of them and ever mindful of the reasons for their sacrifice.

Sorrow there must be, but for gloom there is no need. Our remembrances should be touched with triumph, brightness and a determination to see to it that they died not in vain. '