EMPIRE MIXTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 7

EMPIRE MIXTURE.

THE KING'S PUDDING. FRE-COOKING RITUAL. LONDON, December 21. The preparation of the King's Christmas pudding was commenced with fitting ritual on the steps of the Colonial Institute. The Earl of Meath, generously provided with whiskers, made a jolly Father Christmas, while representatives of the Dominions watched the proceedings with mystification. Then it was decided to send, unintrodueed, the Dominion ingredients on a tour to the headquarters of the Overseas League, where Australian currants could meet African raisins in an atmosphere of Empire unity. Hence, currants, raisins, ■ apples, flour and rum travelled thither under official guardianship. In the beautiful garden of the Overseas Club Canadian flour was solemnly emptied into a pudding bowl. South African raisins followed, and then sultanas and Australian currants went to their doom, whereupon a white-coated chef vigorously stirred. The stirring was taken in turns by the Earl of Meath and the Dominion representatives. The Earl of Meath said he hoped the King's pudding would be an example to the Empire. The Earl of Meath was formerly in the Diplomatic Service. He is interested in philanthropic and social movements, and is an Imperialist who is striving for recognition throughout : Greater Britain of an annual Empire Day and of the systematic teaching of patriotism in schools.