"The Digger."

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 13, 11 June 1920, Page 8

"The Digger."

FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1920. " the squl of anzac. " General Birdwood's visit to New Zealand is a stimulating experience, not only to the Diggers with whom he is on such sterling terms, but to all sections of the population. The public welcome at the Town Hall in Wellington was remarkable for a degree of cordiality not often witnessed on such occasions, but it was noteworthy also for the deep conviction with which the distinguished visitor emphasised the lessons of the war. There was moving force in his appeal for the effective preservation of the traditions of the New Zealand soldiers in Gallipoli and in France, and undoubtedly all that he had to say on tliis subject will weigh heavily both with those who fought under his command and with their fellow-countrymen. It may he hoped that one result of General Birdwood's visit will he to supply the final impetus needed to ensui'e Anzac Day being set aside permanently as a day of national commemoration. The case for thus dedicat-ing the war anniversary which counts for more than any other in the estimation of the people of New Zealand is already complete. In reply to representations by the Returned Soldiers' Association, the Prime Minister lias said that the only question is about the right day to observe as one of wai' commemoration. The question, however, is hardly open. It counts for a great deal that returned soldiers are united in pressing for the ccmmemoration of Anzac Day. Moreover, as Mr Massey himself observed at the welcome to General Birdwood, Galliopli was the one campaign on which the thoughts of New Zealand people were conceptrated more than on any other during the whole wai. Adding to this that the deeds of the men who fought and died on Gallipoli were ari earnest of all that followed, it is evidently impossible to reject Anzac Day in favouf of any alternative anniversary. Something more than commemoration is. of course, demanded in order that the splendid traditions of s.ervice and sacrifice which remain as a legacy from the war may be effectively preserved. The best of all tributes that can be paid to the aehievements and sacrifices of our soldiers is to apply to the affairs of peace the spirit which carried them through every ordeal of war to final victory. IIow this is to he done was tersely stated by Sir William Birdwood in words which ought to appeal with as much force to other sections of the community as to the returned soldiers to whom they were immediately addressed. Advising the returned men abcve all things to keep their association non-political and non-sectarian, he offered

the advice he had given to Australian Diggers : — "Now that yoq are back here, try to live up to something like the following :■ — - Try to take an interest in public affairs ; do what you can to encourage education ; think, don't let your minds lie fallow all the time, and, above all things, work — short hours if you like — but during those hours tliink what you owe to yourselves and the State, and put in a burst of the hardest work you can do." Tlie returned soldiers have learned in fuIKmeasure the value of disciplined and well-organised effort. It is open to them, under sane and reasonable guidance, to the hard school of war to appreciate in play a great part in remedying social and industrial conditions in the Dominion which too often are marked by an ahsence of the loyal union of effort which is as vital in peace as in war. Their own immediate interests are important, and deserve the fullest consideration, but they should not allow these to obscure their judgment and blind them to the interests of the community as a whole.