ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1920, Page 5

ANZAC DAY OBSERVANCE.

RETURNED MEN'S WISHES. COMPULSORY HOLIDAY. The proclamation by the Government of Anzac Day as a statutory holiday this year was again suggested to the Post-master-General, the Hon. J. G. Coates, by a deputation from the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association. Mr. E. W. Inder, who submitted the proposal, said the Government's division to .consider next session the question- of making Anzac Day a compulsory holiday, meant that no official pronouncement on (he subject would be made for some months. The result would be that again some business places would remain open during the day. La fit year the returned soldiers were very Indignant to find large shops open, and the excutive feared that some of the wilder spirits might get out of hand and cause trouble if the matter Was not decided one way or another. He reminded Mr. Coates that Anzac Day was not merely a commemoration of the'landing in Oallipoli, but had a wider signicance, being the commemoration of the entry of New Zealand into the war. The returned soldiers wished it to be a general holiday, out of espect to the dead and the maimed, and it was necessary that it should be so declared. Mr. Coates said the matter had his per-' sonal sympathy and support, and he promised to use his influence to have the day recognised in the way suggested.