The Republic of New Zealand Party

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It is not in the nature of Republicans to ignore the people, especially those that have served their fellow men, not in the glory of war but in the honour of death. It is through this honour that we have the freedom not to fear the sunset, and the liberty to watch the sun rise over the destiny of our dreams and endeavours.

Anzac day must never become just another public holiday or a piece of history without meaning that is lost to our children.  It is for the next generation that our forefathers lived and died, and what we can thank them for is both visible and real.  Poverty disease and tyranny has never been master of our destiny, but now has come a time in which we have never before been required to be so vigilant.

Today is also a day in which the jest rivalry and competitive nature of the relationship with our Anzac partner must be replaced with respect and recognition of our common bonds.   

As both our countries seek the maturity of self determination we must be conscious of the nature of each others developments, that we do not risk putting more than water between us.  The defence relationship between our countries must be as much a common cause now as it has at anytime in the past.   

The cost of defence is an arbitrary matter for the Government of the day.  A defensive strategy is not.  The real investment we must make is in a strategy that appreciates both our significance and our insignificance in a global position and our relationship with the rest of the world.

As always we must remember that we are the ones who have been given the opportunity to grow old, that we are the ones who have the benefit of history to guide us, and we are the ones who have been given the freedom to build a future.  A future that should be inherited by our children, and not by the cockroaches.   

Ends/.