Kapiti writer ponders why her Anzac Day words are often banned
By Shirley Murray (introduction by Alan Tristram)
Kapiti Poet and hymn writer Shirley Murray has written an Anzac poem (see below) so powerful that some soldiers, clerics and politicians have been afraid to allow some of it to be read aloud at services.
This seems strange when we are forever told that our service people sacrificed everything to preserve freedom and democracy. So why should the ‘authorities’ be afraid of these words?
Is it because this internationally-honored writer tells lies?
Or is it because her words tell the truth about war?
As we live in a free country, only you can decide. And here, to help you, is Shirley Murray’s story of her struggle to be heard… read more…
HYMN FOR ANZAC DAY
By Shirley Murray
Honour the dead, our country’s fighting brave,
honour our children left in foreign grave,
where poppies blow and sorrow seeds her flowers,
honour the crosses marked forever ours.
Weep for the places ravaged with our blood,
weep for the young bones buried in the mud,
weep for the powers of violence and greed,
weep for the deals done in the name of need. read more…
He’s seen the glory, and told the story of battles glorious, and deeds victorious… Andy Stewart The Scottish Soldier
Over the top?
By Roger Childs
Is the country more obsessed than usual with Anzac Day? This year the TV presenters have been wearing red poppies since long before Easter; there are special supplements in the papers and many television documentaries, films and dramas on screen; the government has allocated millions of dollars and there has been vigorous red poppy marketing. Furthermore, Trelise Cooper, with an eye to the main chance, has been selling fashion items based on the red poppy theme.
Is there too much emphasis on the battles glorious and deeds victorious and is the mantra lest we forget too focused on the fallen servicemen and forgetful of the huge number of civilian deaths? And what’s so important about this year? read more…
Otaki Beach resident calls on Board to spend reserves money for all community
By Alan Tristram
Otaki Beach resident Ann Lawler is urging Otaki residents to put pressure on their Community Board drop plans to spend over a quarter of a million dollars on a children’s splashpad.
She says the Reserves Fund sum of $255,000 should be spent instead on 10 projects which would benefit the whole community, not just children aged from two to eleven years. read more…
Do you want to write for Kapiti’s leading online paper?
By Alan Tristram (Editor)
The Kapiti Independent is now arguably the Kapiti Coast’s leading online journal — and we are ready to welcome aboard one or two trainee reporters.
Our standards are high because we aim to be the best-written, ethical paper on the Coast.
Your work will be guaranteed a wide readership because we are now getting a large number of ‘page hits’ (in the thousands) every day of the week. read more…
The battle of the red and white poppies in Kapiti
By Alan Tristram
Chris Turver
Two Kapiti Coast personalities have ignited an Anzac conflict of their own as Anzac Day approaches.
Former local politician and Paraparaumu Vice-President Chris Turver espouses the traditional view of Anzac Day and the sale of red poppies to help ex-service people and their families.
But former Presbyterian Church moderator
John Murray
John Murray is spearheading a local campaign tomorrow stressing the urgent need
to prevent war, and the need to commemorate civilian casualties. His group sells white poppies to fund peace scholarships.
Mr Turver says Mr Murray’s peace group is deliberately piggy-backing on Anzac Day and it is ‘contemptible to deliberately choose a collection date which undermines the sacrifices of so many New Zealanders.’ read more…
AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS KAPITI’S ANZAC DAY
By Alan Tristram
The unique bond between NZ and Aussie soldiers in both World Wars is being marked in Kapiti by the Australian High Commission this year.
It’s sending Petty Officer Matthew Dunt of the Royal Australian Navy to join New Zealand veterans in marching to the Memorial Gates in Tutanekai Street, Paraparaumu, as dawn breaks at 6.30 am on, Friday, 25 April. read more…
National leaps ahead, Cunliffe nosedives in latest Roy Morgan poll
By Alan Tristram
The latest Roy Morgan Poll has shown a large jump in support for National as New Zealanders celebrated the visit of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Once again, Prime Minister Key is outstripping Labour Leader David Cunliffe.
National’s share of the vote is now 48.5% up 5.5% — Labour’s down by 3.5% to 28.5%. read more…
Police warn public after serious assault in Cannons Creek Park
By Alan Tristram
Police are investigating a serious assault last night at Cannons Creek Park in Porirua.
Police were initially called at 3am today by staff at Kenepuru Hospital, who were treating a man with a serious head injury. read more…
