ANZAC DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1921, Page 6

ANZAC DAY.

MEMORIAL SERVICES. AT NEW PLYMOUTH. AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. Yesterday morning the overcast sky and dullness of the weather appeared to lend a sombreness rather in keeping with the spirit of a memorial day, and, the general cessation of business, added an impressiveness to the occasion —the commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps on Gallipoli Peninsula. A united religious service in New Plymouth was held in Pukekura Park, and the terraces and paths overlooking the sports oval were crowded, the day being a statutory holiday. A parade of returned soldiers, veterans, territorials, and other bodies had assembled at the post office, and, headed by the Citizens’ Band, marched to the Park, where they were drawn up on the sports ground, after being filed past the saluting base, where the salute was taken by Lieut.Colonel Home, 0.8. E., who was acconv panied by Lieut. Steele (Area Officer). The religious service, conducted by ministers of local churches, followed.

LARGE MUSTER OF EX-SOLDIERS. The scene at the singing of the hymn “0 Valiant Hearts,” in memory of the fallen, was a solemn one, and the sight of the uniforms of the firing party of ex-service men no doubt recalled the names of the battlegrounds where the New Zealanders had seen desperate engagements, Chunuk Bair, Passchendaele, Messines, and others, which even after the intervening years have not lost their significance to the people of this Dominion.

There was a big muster of returned men, and the number on parade was about 230. Captain A. M. Mac Diarmid was in command, and Lieutenant Andrew, V.C., was in charge of a firing party. Territorials and Cadets were also present in force, and other bodies represented included the nurses, veterans, and boy scouts. The service opened with the singing of the hymn “0 God Our Help,” followed by a scripture reading by Captain Green, and a general thanksgiving led by the Rev. F. G. Harvie. The hymn “0 Valiant Hearts” was rendered in memory of the fallen, and prayers were offered by Rev. Elliott for the King, Royal Family, and Empire, returned soldiers, and fur industrial and social peace, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer (said in unison). An address by the Rev. A. H. Collins followed. Other hymns given were “Lead Kindly Light” and “For All the Saints,” the concluding Benediction being pronounced by Rev. O. Blundell. The National Anthem having been rendered by the Band, the firing party'fired three volleys. The Band played “The Garland of Flowers,” all present standing in reverence to the memory of the fallen, and this was followed by the sounding of the “Last Post,” while the guard stood at the present arms.

THE ADDRESS. In the course of his address, the Rev. Collins said:— Citizens and Comrades, —“The sense of greatness keeps a people great,” so sings William Watson. “A people who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered by remote descendants,” says our great essayist. Because we hold these statements true we are here to-day. This is a day of great and sacred memories, a day of ringing and vibrant challenge. It is one of the great days in our rough island story, and we would keep it worthily. Fifty years hence, when another Macaulay or McCarthy shall arise to write a new “History of Our Times,” the past seven years will supply a chapter tragic in its sorrow and sacrifice, but epic in its greatness, and unrivalled in its glory. For the historian will tell how on a fateful day in August the British Cabinet met to determine the question of peace or war; how, until the eleventh hour, Ministers strove to avert the calamity which threatened to engulf the liberties of the world. He will tell how England, distracted by bitter political strife, and Ireland on the verge of civil war, closed their ranks and stood united by a common peril. He will tell how £his free democracy, standing at the outpost of Empire, unsommoned and unafraid. staked its all to stand by the dear Motherland. He will tell how the tide of battle ebbed and flowed through years of unparalleled agony, until on all the battle fronts our sons and our brothers planted forests of white crosses in fields crimsoned with Britain’s best blood. He will tell how, with dramatic suddenness, the hideous military maeh- 1 fee collapsed, and the War Lords bit the dust. *He will tell how the wisest statesmen of the world’s freest nations, deliberated on the terms of peace that should make safe our sacramental liberties. He will tell how Britain, by its King and its counsellors, gathered in their National Minster to offer to God our solemn thanksgiving for His extraordinary mercy, and pledged us all to His service and His praise. It will form one of “the purple patches” in our Empire story, a record of deeds and days colossal in their greatness, imperishable in their glory, and worthy 'to be written in letters of gold, a story that our children and our children’s children will read with a sense of pride and wonder, and when the historian shall unveil the inspiring motive of it all, he will tell that not for lust of power, or martiad glory, or territorial gain, did we accept the struggle, but in defence of oppressed peoples, in vindication of solemn international compacts, and for the sake of honor, and justice, and freedom, throughout the civilised world. Citizens, it is greatly wise to take counsel with past years. History is the most aristocratic of studies, and the Muse of History bears on her lips the legend “Son, remember.” “Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget; lest we forget.” “WE MUST REMEMBER.” But this is not only a day of great and holy memory; it comes with the voice of solemn and stern challenge. We must remember in order that we may emulate the spirit of the Anzacs. Their heroism must breathe through our hearts. The task they so nobly began we must no less nobly carry on. “Imitation is the sincerest flattery.” We, too, are Empire builders. and the stability of the fabric depends on the honest stuff and the faithful workmanship we put into the Empire house. From those lonely graves that overlook the purple sea, voices are calling bidding us “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.” “He hath sounded forth the trumpet, That shall never call retreat 4 He is sifting out ti e hearts of men Before His judgment seat. Oh 1 be swift my soul to answer Him, Be jubilant my feet! 1 Our God is marching an. •

In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea, With a glory on his bosom That transfigures you and me. As He died to make men holy, Let us live to make men free. While God is marching on. VISIT TO SOLDIERS’ GRAVES. In the general commemoration of Anzac the memory of deceased soldiers buried locally was not forgotten and flowers were placed on the graves by the junior associate members of the Victoria League. The president of the’* league (Mrs. C. H. Burgess) and organising secretary (Miss Clarke), accompanied by a party of girls from the New Plymouth High School, proceeded to Te Henui Cemetery and many beautiful floral wreaths, in addition to laurel emblems and sprigs of rosemary, were laid on the burial places. .Flowers were strewn on the soldiers’ plot,\and also on the graves of old veterans and soldiers buried in various spots in the cemetery. Flowers were also placed on the graves of the victims of the aeroplane tragedy —Captain Russell, Mr. J. Clarke and Miss Warnock.

AFTERNOON TEA TO SOLDIERS. Many returned men accepted the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burgess to afternoon tea in the Victoria League Club rooms, and a pleasant time was spent. During the afternoon musical items were given and the function was thoroughly enjoyed by the men. Cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs.’ Burgess and for the ladies who carried the burden of attending to the wants of the men, and “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” was sung to express the men’s appreciation of the afternoon.

AT STRATFORD.

MANY FLORAL EMBLEMS. SERVICE IN THE TOWN HALL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, April 25. Anzac Day was appropriately observed in Stratford. The roll of honor in the corridor of the Municipal Buildings, which contains the protographs of 119 men from'the district who were killed in action or died of wounds or sickness, was beautifully decorated with flowers and greenery, the effect being most striking. The roll of honor was in reality Stratford’s cenotaph, and throughout the day it was visited by relatives of the soldiers who had made the supreme sacrifice at the war, a number of private wreaths being attached by relatives and friends. The German gun which stands in the corridor was also an effective 'reminder of the great events of the war, and lent a solemn atmosphere to the surroundings. The work of decorating the roll of honor was carried out under the supervision of the Mayoress (Mrs. J. W. McMillan), Mfcho was assisted by girls from the Stratford District High School, under the direction of Misses Papps, Cathie and Sags, girls from St. Mary’s School under the direction of Miss Stanford, and members of the Stratford branch of the Women’s National Reserve, and others. The wealth of flowers was striking evidence that the soldiers were not forgotten. A procession of motor cars conveying girls from the two schools, members of the Women’s National Reserve and others, proceeded to the Kopuatama Cemetery in the morning, for the purpose of placing beautiful floral emblems on the graves of the soldiers buried in the cemetery. The Mayor desires to thank all who provided cars and otherwise assisted in the celebrations. A united commemoration service, arranged by the Stratford Ministers’ Association, was held in the Town Hall in the afternoon, there being a crowded congregation, many of those present having to stand. The singing was led by a big united choir, under the leadership of Mr. W. E. Burley, a large orchestra providing the music. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the hymn, “For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest”, followed by a prayer by Captain. Montgomery (Salvation Army). The Rev. J. W. McKenzie (Presbyterian) read the lesson, taking part of the 21st chapter of Revelations, and after an anthem by the united choirs, the Rev. L. B. Neale (Methodist) led the congregation in prayer. The address was delivered by the Rev. C. W. Howard (Church of England), who based his remarks qn the vision of the prophet Isaiah, pointing out that the happenings of the great war had resulted in a clearer vision. Looking back on the great war after the few intervening years, they still saw the vision of the righteousness of Britain’s cause. Britain had been brought into the war because she was compelled to draw the sward for the cause of righteousness, and it was almost a crying shame to-day that the enemy so defeated should be exercising subterfuges in order to try and escape the penalties and punishments that were justly imposed on him. Talking of the good things which came out of the war, the speaker said that fl one of these good issues was the discipline of service which had been inculcated into the troops, and had helped them to sink their petty differences and act with unity of purpose. He hoped the discipline of service learned in the waf would be carried on from generation to generation, because only in such a way could they achieve wthat was „ worth achieving. Many men had returned from the conflict, though others had made the great sacrifice. He believed the returned men had come back with a larger vision of life, and that the Returned Soldiers’ Association ought to be able to exercise a wonderful influence for good on the public life. Another good issue which had arisen out of the war was the making of friendships between New Zealand soldiers and the people in the Old Country, and the benefits of this were seen in the number of splendidx immigrants who were coming out to the Dominion. The speaker next referred to the present financial depression, caused by the drop in the value of New Zealand products, and expressed the belief that better conditions of life would, ensue before long. There were numerous other problems facing the world at the present time, but the larger vision which had been obtained as a result of the war would enable the community to find a solution. At the conclusion of the address the hymn, “0 God, Our Help in Ages Past” was sung, and the benediction -pronounced, the proceedings concluding with the National Anthem. In the morning Mr. C. D. Sole (chairman of the Stratford Hospital Board) visited the ex-soldier patients in the hospital, and addressed a few words to them.

IN OTHER CENTRES.

CENOTAPH AT WELLINGTON. WREATHS ON SOLDIERS' GRAVES. By Telegraph.—Press Associat... Wellington, Last Night. To-day’s ceremonies in connection with Anzac Day were remarkable for the impressiveness of the morning service. The children held a Cenotaph and thousands of little ones attended, depositing wreaths and flowers at the foot. Later the wreaths were transferred to the Karori cemetery, where many hundred soldiers lie. A short service was held at the cenotaph and “The Last Post” was sounded. The afternoon memorial service was held in the Town Hall, which wan crowded, and veterans, returned men and territorials joined in a simple but touching service. The only speaker at the afternoon service was Canon Feilden Taylor, and his impreissive address was listened to with rapt| attention. The Salvation Army playOd Chopin’s “Fun-, eral March,” and Mr. Bernard Page, city organist, accompanied the singing of'the vast assemblage.

AUCKLAND’S MEMORY.

IMPRESSIVE PARADE IN CITY. AN OBELISK UNVEILED. Auckland, Last Night. Anzac Day was observed as a close holiday. There was a united memorial service in the Town Hall in the morning, preceded by a procession to the hall. Over a thousand returned men made the march through dense crowds of people who lined the footpaths. In the procession was a gun carriage draped with the Union Jack and drawn by seven horses. On each side were four chief petty officers of H.M.S. Philomel, as pall-bearers, and immediately following Commander Walsh and Commissioner Gunner Tregellis, of the Philomel. Preceding the gun carriage was a firing party of twenty Blue Jackets. The service in the Town Hall was very impressive. An obelisk, erected by the Returned Soldiers’ Association in memory of their fallen comrades, was unveiled in Weikumeti Cemetery by General Chaytor, officer commanding the New Zealand forces. A wreath from the citizens of Auckland was placed at the foot of the obelisk by the Mayor. After “The Last Post” had been sounded others present placed wreaths on the memorial, which soon became a mass of flowers.

AT CHRISTCHURCH.

% DAY OF QUIET SOLEMNITY. Christchurch, Last Night. The weather was dull and overcast for the Anzac Day ceremony. There was a big parade of returned soldiers, territorials and cadets, who marched throiigji the crowded streets of the city to King Edward barracks, where a combined memorial service was held. Afterwards many wreaths were deposited at the Cathedral, where very largely attended services were held throughout the The whole of the gatherings were markecf by quiet solemnity. AT WANGANUI. Wanganui, Last Night. Anzac Day was fittingly celebrated to-day. A largely attended religious service was held in Cook’s Gardens, after which a role of honor was unveiled at the Soldiers’ Club. Returned soldiers were present in considerable force.