The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1921. ANZAC DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 25, 1921. ANZAC DAY.

Although six years have passed since the memorable day on which the Empire’s manhood proved its metal at the landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and the A.N.Z.A.C proved to' the world that the sons of the British Empire equalled the glorious deeds of their forefathers in military achievements, the word “Anzae,’’ and all that it stands for, has become endowed with a significance to Australia and New Zealand, the southernmost outposts of the great Empire to (which these countries are bound by ties of kinship, language, sentiment, sacrifice, and blood, that will last for all time. The memory of this heroic campaign can never die. Time will assuage the bitterness due to the losses that occurred therein, and oessibly, smooth over the terrible

blunders made by those responsible for and in charge of the illfated expedition, but nothing will ever dim the memory of the magnificent heroism of the Anzaes, nor dim the spirit wherewith they were actuated. History has yet to pass its verdict on the campaign, but the Anzaes have nothing to fear as to the verdict on the part they took in this great human effort, “which came, more than once, very near to triumph, achieved the impossible many times, and failed, in the end, as many great deeds have failed, from something which had nothing to do with arms or with the men who bore them.” In commemorating Anzae Day the words in which the brilliant writer, John Masefield, referred to the landing may well be recalled. He said:

“No army in history has made a more heroic attack; no army in history has been set such a task. No other body of men in any modern war has been called upon to land over mined and wired waters under the cross fire of machine guns. . . Our men achieved a feat without parallel' in war, and no other troops in tl/e world would have made good thtfse beaches on the 25th of April.”

In honoring those who have made Anzae a glorious chapter in the military annals of the Empire, the feeling of reverence for those who made the supreme sacrifice on behalf of the great cause in which they fell, is naturally the dominant note. It is said that as the last men who, when on their way to re-embark when the withdrawal from the Peninsula took place, on passing the graves of their fallen comrades, felt that the stones which marked the last resting-place of those “who fighting fell” were “living men who cast a long look after them, sighed and turned landward, as they had turned of old.” To-day the sacred soil of Gallipoli is in British hands, the graves of our heroes eared for by a grateful Empire, the people of which, while stirred to the depths by the valiant deeds these men had done in life, are yet more deeply moved by the solemnity of the spirit that alone remains as an imperishable stimulus for future generations to do their duty, not counting the cost. That is why the keynote of Anzae Day is associated with tha t minor chord which so perfectly expresses the deepest feelings' of the heart and symbolises not only sacrifice in a noble effort, but also the great principle of Nature whereby the forces of the world are ever renewed. Fittingly utilised, Anzae Day should be a reverent tribute and an inspiration to help, towards attainment to a higher plane in civilisation. It should be an object lesson in indomitable courage in defence of right as opposed to might, an unbreakable bond of unity in the brotherhood of man. Such occasions stand out like bright stars in the firmament of national life, and of all that makes for national worthiness, just as those who now rest from their labors on the Peninsula, which witnessed struggles, rallies and staggering blows, all of which helped to the final triumph over despotic militarism, will ever be honored for their courage and patriotism, so must Anzae Day be kept in reverent remembrance and its spirit live on throughout succeeding generations to lead the Empire’s sons in the path of duty.