EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1943, Page 5

EKETAHUNA

ANZAC DAY SCHOOL OBSERVANCE. (“Times-Age” Special.) On Thursday afternoon the pupils and staff of the Eketahuna District High School assembled at the primary school to commemorate Anzac Day. Before the children was a wreath of coloured leaves and a picture draped with flags, depicting the soldier of Anzac and the soldier of today. After' a short introductory speech by the headmaster, Mr A. B. Fordyce, the children sang “God Defend New Zealand.”

A poem, “The Soldier,” by Rupert Brooke, was then very well read by Audrey Brown. Mr Fordyce chose as the theme of his address the word “Duty.” All thoughts, he said, were in Tunisia at present with the Eighth Army, of which the New Zealand soldiers were an important unit. Our men were carrying out the word “Duty.” In order to have a peaceful world great changes would have to be made in the hearts of men and women. As a result of the efforts of the soldiers, peace would come to the world, though perhaps not to all of them. The men of Anzac fought for the same ideals as the men of today. After all their efforts, they were robbed of the fruits of their labours; the world was in worse position than it was before the Great War. “People must learn to live with one another in peace throughout the world,” said the speaker. “That state of affairs could be brought about only by the youth of today, who must build up a spirit of friendliness and co-operation. The path of duty is again leading men away; youth must also follow the path of duty.” After the singing of the National Anthem, the children were given a printed poppy emblem to wear on Anzac Day. Personal Items. Mr F. Christie, of Nelson, recently paid a short visit to Eketahuna, and was the guest of his nieces, the Misses Wilson, Stanley Street. Miss W. Towgood, of .the Eketahuna District High School staff, spent the Easter holidays in Wellington.