“Set Hopeless Task”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 338, 25 April 1928, Page 13

“Set Hopeless Task”

late city

MR. COATES ON ANZACS BRITISH TRADITIONS UPHELD Pres* Association. MARTON, To-day. “There are many of us here who vividly remember those dark days i of 1915. when members of the Aus- I traliao and Mew Zealand Army Corps won their spurs in their first real battle. Those men were not found lacking in the highest qualities of British soldiers, nor did they betray the high traditions of the British Empire.” The Prime Minister, the Right ITon. t G. Coates, accompanied by Mrs. Coates, addressed the assembly at the trzac Day service in Hunterville yesterday. •The soldiers wore set an almost hopeless task.” he went on, “but through pluck, courage, and Getermination almost achieved the impossible, and it has been said since the war by writers who knew the position I’rom the Turkish and German standpoint that with greater forces the whole peninsula would have been won in spite of the odds.” It is little wonder that we feel proud, and that the deeds of these men have been an inspiration to our people. The debt owed to these soldiers should never be forgotten. In every field of action men from our Dominion worked like Trojans, -sometimes again terrible odds, and j et a characteristic spirit of ; camaraderie always existed.” He remarked that it was not always the most deserving who got the decorations. ‘Many deeds of bravery and heroism went by unnoticed, and when, ai we used to say ‘over there/ the decorations were dished out from the ration waggon, many a hero was just unlucky.” To give some indication of the magnitudi: of the struggle, the Prime? Minister then gave figures showing the losses of the Allies. ‘lt was a costly business. It called for sacrifices, and caused heartaches and misery,” he continued, “and yet the person who says it was not worth it has not grasped the real meaning of things. ‘lt was a struggle to defend our constitution, our freedom, and our right to control our destinies and to Rovern ourselves, free from dictation, and I thinlt every soldier’s mother in this Dominion is filled with the greatest gratitude, in spite of the regrets and bereavements, that she was blessed 'v'ith a son who could throw in his lot in defence of these things," MAORI MEMORIAL TWO THOUSAND NATIVES WITNESS CEREMONY • Press Association. GISBORNE, To-day. Two thousand people, native and European, assembled at Te Araroa, in the East Cape district, yesterday, for unveiling of a war memorial. The Maoris prepared a great feast lor the occasion, and a welcome was extended to the Hon. K. S. Williams and Sir A. T. Ngata, led by a party of chiefs singing a Maori lament for the soldiers who failed to return to their hapas. The Hon. K. S. Williams, replying, *Poke in Maori, to the great delight of the natives, and proceeded to unveil the memorial, a granite obelisk erected by the joint efforts of Maoris and pakehas in memory of the dead of both races. The dedica lion was preceded by a precession, including 200 returned men. An impressive Anzac Day service "as held at the war memorial in Gisborne, there being a large muster of returned mer., territorials and public. SOLDIERS’ HOSPITAL OPENED IN HAWKE’S BAY Pt ess Association. HASTINGS, To-day. In commemoration of Anzac Day the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. joung, opened the Hawke’s Bay Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital in the presence of about 3,000 people. The hospital was built by public subscriptions totalling £17.000. with a Government subsidy of £9,000. The cost of the building and site was £23.000. The Minister, accompanied by Dr. Valintine, returned to ‘Wellington this morning. ROTORUA CELEBRATES POPPY and anzac days (From Oir Oxen Correspondent) ROTORUA, To-day. Poppy Day was celebrated on Tuesdjy. when £sl was collected by the 'Vomen’s Club, which organised the sales. Anzac Day services were held at the in the Government Gardens, and large crowds attended both services. A Maori service was held p morning, which the Rev. Mohi conducted, and addresses were Siven by Keepa Patahuri, Pukuatua Taupopoki Rangi, and Te Rorere. The European services in the afternoon were conducted by the Rev. Mr. hurley, and the Rev. Mr. Randerson, vnd an address was given by Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P. A procession headed by Joe town band, and composed of returned soldiers, territorials, cadets, girl guides, marched to the cenojapftk where the service was held. A * r Se number of wreaths were afterards taken to soldiers’ graves.