10 Jan 2014

Govt says Anzac effort not ignored

1:47 pm on 10 January 2014

The Government is rejecting suggestions the British organisers of WWI commemorations will overlook the efforts of Anzac soldiers.

The Telegraph newspaper is reporting that the contributions of Australians and New Zealanders are being ignored in plans to mark the centenary.

The newspaper says the role of Anzac soldiers is being downplayed in favour of nations such as India, Caribbean and those in west Africa, in a bid to win what it calls "political and economic favour in multicultural Britain".

But the New Zealand Government says the idea that Anzac contributions would be airbrushed out of history is incorrect because there is real interest in Britain in New Zealand having its story told.