GLORIOUS EXAMPLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1939, Page 6

GLORIOUS EXAMPLE

SIGNIFICANCE OF ANZAC DAY. ADDRESS BY MR J. H. IRVING AT LANDSDOWNE SCHOOL. Speaking to the pupils of Lansdowne School this afternoon on the significance of Anzac Day, Mr J. H. Irving, who gave the address, said the occasion was held not only in memory of those who fell at Gallipoli but also in memory of New Zealanders and Australians who fought and died in other campaigns during the Great War. After referring to how the word “Arizac” was formed, he said it would never be forgotten in the Empire. Each and every one of the children would find that they had a near relative who had served for King and Country in the Great War. At the present time the nations of the world were all arming, but British citizens must be proud of the Empire that stood to protect weaker states. Britain had promised* to give assistance to certain countries if they were attacked and as everyone knew, Britain’s word was her bond. After making some reference to a statement by Sir Charles Fergusson, a former Governor-General of New Zealand, that Anzac Day should be observed as an achievement in glorious example, Mr Irving proceeded to state that as one grew older it was found that the best and most lasting friends were those made in school days or in early life. It was the same with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in which aIT tried to do as much for . each other as possible. Great lessons were learnt from Anzac Day and from the brotherhood of returned soldiers —absolute trust in each other, unselfishness, willingness to share any danger and difficulty in service, belief in the Empire and courage to face all dangers. All these could be practised in our lives, said Mr Irving, who appealed to the children to have a courageous outlook on life, to be unselfish, to do what they could for their hom'e. and country, and not to expect everything to be done for them. He concluded by asking them to pledge their life and honour to serve their God, King and Country and the brotherhood of man.