ANZAC DAY.

Shannon News, 27 April 1928, Page 3

ANZAC DAY.

SHANNON’S CELEBRATIONS.

Two services were held in Shannon on Wednesday in commemoration of Anzac Day. At 9 a.m. the school children assembled at the school, and at 10 a.m. a service was held in the Maoriland Theatre; and despite the rain which fell during the morning there was a large gathering at the latter meeting. The service at the school opened with the hymn "O God Our Help in Ages Past," followed by prayer offered by Rev. Parnell. The chairman (Mr A. E. Hyde) then introduced Mr G. D. Hamilton, president of the Levin branch of the. Returned Soldiers’ Association, who, he informed the children had come from Levin to tell them what Anzac Day was .and why it was held sacred. , . Mr Hamilton said that, on behnlt of the Levin Returned Soldiers’ Association, he thanked all the boys and girls who had helped to sell poppies. The money they had raised was to help entirely unfortunate returned soldiers. By tljese efforts numerous unfortunate cases received assistance which the Government w'ould not cognise liability for. In referring to the orgin of the word Anzac, he said that this /name, had been, given to the place where the Australian and Isew Zealand troops were landed in Galli* poli. It was formed of the initial j letters of the Australian and New

Zealand Army Corps and was an ap--1 propriate name for an appropriate day. He said the picture of the landing at Gallipoli, presented by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, which all of them had seen in the school, was ,a fine illustration of what took place on that memorable day, showing the great sacrifices made in that great struggle. It was not alone our men who made sacrifices, but the women folk did who remained behind and who made sacrifices in more ways than one. On this day 13 years ago, New 1 Zealand sent the prime of her manhood into battle. Up to that time the stamina and morale of the manhood of New Zealand had not been proved.

They pi-oved men of worth, showing exceptional moral courage and indiv- ’ iduality under exceptional circumstances. He hoped the children would cherish the fine traditions of that day. Outside the memorial service on Anzac Day, he thought the time was finished as far as keeping the flame ing and opening up old wounds was concerned. In conclusion, he asked the children what they proposed doing during the coming year for those who had made the great sacrifice to give them freedom. He said,, '‘You can- . not give £-s-d, but you can make a sacrifice." He impressed'upon them to honour their parents, and in home life to help all as much as possible. When they grew up they had certain duties to the State to perform; these' should be done willingly and ungrudgingly. In mature years, though lie was sorry to" say that many shiinlv from it, they should undertake civic life. Lastly, he asked them to remember that God sees every action of every child - , and pointed out that there was a time to account for. those wrongs, so they should let their conscience lead them right. There was no reason why there should not be as 1 good men now as those who had gone before them., Proceedings were brought to a close with the singing of the hymn ‘ ‘ God of our Fathers. ” SERVICE AT MAORILAND HALL. Headed by the Levin Band, the 'school children, in the charge of their teachers, marched from the school to the Maoriland Theatre. Here the service was presided - over by Rev. Williamson ( Presbyterian), who was ae companied on the stage by the Mayor and Mayoress (M!r and Mrs E. Butt), Rev Farnell (Anglican) Rev Edmond son (Methodist) and Rev Ryburn, organiser of the Young People's League of the Presbyterian Church. The Levin Band and members of the Choral Society assisted with the music. The service opened with the hymn “0 God Ouj-Help in Ages Past," followed a prayer and the Lord’s Prayer led by Rev Parnell. Those present then joined in singing the hymn "The Nameless Graves." Rev Ryburn followed with a short Scripture reading, taking his text from the gospel of John, 15th chapter, Bth verse. Rev Edmondson then delivered a» impressive address, taking as his text "What mean ye by this service?” He said they had met to show respect to departed heroes, to keep in remembrance their heroic deeds. In this connection there were lessons in life which they- must learn to make them better citizens and to build up a better nation. This could only be done by experience. Some of the lessons they must learn were the great ideals of sacrifice, power of unity, greatness of brotherhood, and the greatest of all was to end war. These lessons meant to them the greatest deeds wrought in sacrifice, and that’only when united could they overcome the foe. Also they must recognise the brotherhood of ! «*man, as only in peace could they advance. Their departed heroes made sacrifices and they went forward prepared for trials and dangers The power of unity was shown, ir. that divided social ties did not stop those men.in facing the foe. The soldiers realised the brotherhood of man and went forward in one lot to meet the foe. They recognised no barrier. It ,/ was* said that the war was to end ' war when victory was achieved. This was preached everywhere. Men went io the front thinking not only to save their King and country, but to stop war. A great ideal animated this spirit. The noblest ideals were in sacrifice, and the lesson came from Gallipoli heights. The great life of Jesus Christ was one of sacrifice. He left the angels in order to come here in poverty. Calvary was only a part of his sacrifice. Our boys met the foe L. ■ ■ ■

unitedly, as that was the onLy wav they could overcome it. In the midst of danger and conflict let us meet unitedly like men with united determination. It should also be remembered that the black men were members of the human race. Those men who fought and gave their lives, for us left a heritage that wars might cease. Were the people worthy of that trust? They wanted a cleaner nation and nobler ideals. The great desire was that wars should cease and peace be brought to them. They have to be prepared to make a sacrifice. Individuals might put ourselves first, but our men put themselves last. "Do we not live in-a selfish age?” asked the Minister, who went on to say, "We must rise to our high ideals, and may we work with the end in view of a universal peace. There is only One in whom peace can be found, and that is the "Prince of Peace," and when we realise that, it will bring men and women in touch with God. Then there will be no more wars, and these men’s sacrifices will not have been in vain . " After the hymn "God of Our Fathers" had been sung, the assemblage adjourned to the Cenotaph, where a large number of wreaths and flowers were laid, during which time the Levin Band played "The Garland of Flowers.” The National Anthem was sung by those present, after which Bandmaster Lester, of Levin, sounded the "Last Post."

1 Several returned soldiers were present and marched in procession from the school.