Calls for young Kiwis to stay away from Gallipoli on Anzac Day because of fears they could cause overcrowding and indulge in excess drinking have come too late, says a Northland war veteran. Gallipoli-bound Gary Newton of Kaikohe said travel plans for Kiwis making the annual pilgrimage had been finalised andwould be almost impossible to change. Mr Newton, who served with New Zealand forces in Malaya in 1964, was reacting to comments by Returned Services Association national president Robin Klitscher, who said Kiwi backpackers should visit Gallipoli at other times of the year to avoid overcrowding, causing problems for Turkish authorities. And the Lonely Planet travel guide has urged Kiwis and Aussies to stay away on April 25, claiming partying Antipodeans are damaging the peninsula and disrespecting the dead. "They should consider alternatives to Anzac Day because if gathering in any way becomes undisciplined we won't be honouring the fallen, who themselves were the most disciplined people," Mr Klitscher said. "In recent years, there's been alcohol bans, people have been searched - that's the kind of restraint I am talking about." But Mr Newton, who will make his first trip to Gallipoli, said such calls were "a bit light" because a certain standard of behaviour was expected from all visitors. "It's a commemoration and that's how I look at it. The RSA can't do anything about it now and I doubt people will change their plans about going there." Mr Newton said it would be good if organisers enforced an alcohol ban. His views were shared by Whangarei property valuer John Proctor, who visited Gallipoli with his sister Liz three years ago. He said alcohol was banned and that visitors were focused on the significance of the day and well-behaved, rather than in a party mood. "The year before was pretty bad, but generally you couldn't help but be moved by the atmosphere," he said. Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders descend on Gallipoli each year to mark the anniversary of Anzac troops landing there in World War I. There were 2721 New Zealand soldiers killed at Gallipoli, along with 8700 Australians and about 44,000 British and French troops.
