ANZAC DAY- for New Zealanders is a solemn occasion commiserating the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who died for their country and those who were maimed for life.

ANZAC Day is such an important occasion that in a recent poll 40% of New Zealanders want it to be their national day. What did this day mean to Manukau/Manurewa city councillor Anne Candy? It was an opportunity for her to stand on her soapbox and be a politician.

During the Manurewa ANZAC service, Anne Candy opened her speech with no mention of servicemen (past or present). With total disregard of the true meaning of ANZAC Day, Candy threw herself into the current tide of sensationalism by mourning the recent drowning victims. Candy's leading emphasis was the grief of losing “young leaders of tomorrow,” whilst she diverted from the reality of ANZAC Day. As if it wasn’t enough to let these unexpected deaths dominate her ANZAC speech, Anne Candy milked her moment for all it was worth by requesting a minute’s silence. However, this minute of silence was not for the fallen heroic servicemen of New Zealand, quite the contrary. The minute of silence requested by Anne Candy was for the accidental death of civilians. Councillor Candy hasn't got the slightest clue about the sentiment of ANZAC Day. She totally fails to understand the hugely significant difference between people who die by accident and people who put their lives on the line for the freedom of their country.

What is ANZAC Day really for?

It is a way to say how wonderful it is to be able to spend other people’s money and bask in the result by adding another layer of bricks to a self-serving platform.

Anne Candy described funds given to a new War Memorial in Manukau gardens, as a gift from Manurewa ratepayers. As a ratepayer I am outraged that she has decided that I shall involuntary gift from my own pocket. I emphatically state to Anne Candy that the money received by the council from me, is NOT a gift. If a gift of money is to come from me then it is a matter of morality that I am the one who shall choose what to spend it on and how much I am prepared to pay.

The immorality from Anne Candy’s "gifts from ratepayers," is exactly the same immorality displayed by New Zealand First in gifting stolen tax payers money to charities.

Needless to say, Anne Candy’s performance on ANZAC Day and local politics was and is deplorable, in total contrast to those in the parade who were there for the right reason and residents who are held to ransom whilst their council members gleefully gift away taxpayers money.

Sandra Ashworth.

“Dictatorship and determinism are reciprocally reinforcing corollaries: if one seeks to enslave men, one has to destroy their reliance on the validity of their own judgements and choices—if one believes that reason and volition are impotent, one has to accept the rule of force.”
- Ayn Rand