LiSTINiNGS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 97, 2 May 1941, Page 13

LiSTINiNGS

Perpetrated and illustrated by

KEN.

ALEXANDER

TWO BIRTHDAYS

ITLER is said to have reached the age of 52 last Sunday. But the world knows that this is in-correct-that Hitler is ten thousand and fifty-two; that he springs from the age when Man walked with this knuckles on the ground and’ when "keeping one’s end up" was a physical commonplace rather than a human virtue. Hitler’s mission is to skid the world back to the era of primordial slimeprovided he can hold ~a monopoly of mud, But, in his fervour for bigger and better bestiality, he forgot that the majority of the peoples of the earth prefer to retain an upright position, even though it may expose them to the blackjack of barbarism. Such peoples include Yugoslavia who, sadly, rose too late, and Greece who still stands, heroic and erect, prepared to taste death with honour than suffer life without it. It is said that Hitler’s birthday was; spent at the Balkan front with his troops. A’ tasteless jest! While Hitler smugly complimented himself on the rat-like cunning which has permitted him to survive fifty-two years he denied more than fifty thousand young Germans the privilege of seeing the next twenty-four hours, For these there were no " Happy returns of the day." Goebbels broadcast that Germany, and millions outside Germany, would offer their heartfelt gratitude for the blessings Hitler has given them and will hail him as a genius. No doubt it requires a measure of genius for a monster like Hitler to reach 52 years. No other man of his calibre could have succeeded in surviving 52 minutes. We

cannot give Hitler a "big hand" for his birthday. But one day . He will be surprised! \ % * * ‘BIRTHDAY of a different kind was celebrated in the shadow of Mt. Olympus. Here the New Zealanders and Australians were fused in the fire of combat for the first time in this war. Their valour and_ steadfastness has echoed round the world. Thus was born the new Anzac. May I claim the privilege of seriousness to offer my humble tribute to these new Anzacs, ANZAC REBORN Brave sons of Anzac, Secorid of the line begun By men who bid for victory And, losing-WON. Brave sons of Anzac, Worthy of their sires who wrought Glory from reverseYet dearly boughtAt Suvla and the spurting, Crumbling steeps, Of grim Gallipoli, Where many an Anzac sleeps. Sons of those sires who, Failing, none the less Gained something greater Than a brief success, Who wrote indelibly Upon the page of Fame, " ANZAC "-a torch to carry, Rather than a name. Those sons who listened At their fathers’ knee, Now hold the gates That guard Democracy. Australia and New Zealand, Hail, ye sons! Anzac! Reborn with thunder Of ten thousand guns. On ancient Mount OlympusWest and eastTrue to the word of Anzac, There they held The Beast, Wave and wave of Menace Back they grimly threw, Proudly, in valour and fire, Anzac was born anew. And gallant old Olympus, While the thunders shook, Wrote the word " ANZAC" In his immemorial book.