BLUEJACKETS AT Y.M.C.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 9

BLUEJACKETS AT Y.M.C.A.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON ADDRESS "THE BONDS OF EMPIRE." A group of petty officers and iuen from H.M.s. Renown was welcomed to the Sunday afternoon meeting at the Y.M.C.A. yesterday. The Rev. A. W. McMillan, who delivered an address, entitled "Bonds of Empire," said the men were welcome because of themselves and their calling, because of their mission to these southern seas, and because of the fact that the great ship of war to which they belonged, was on this occasion, a messenger of peace.

The greatness of the Empire, which welcomed the Duke and Duchess of York wherever they appeared, was stressed by Jlr. McMillan, who took his hearers on an imaginary journey round the globe. He spoke of those within the Empire who were still in the Stone Age, of the garden islands of the sea, the vast plains of India, and the millions who spoke the English language. Though there were races within the Empire widely diverse in character, they were united in the Throne. This unity was a' wonderful thing, when it was remembered that six out of every seven people within the Empire were not of the white race. One of the great privileges of British citizenship was freedom in religions matters. Whether Mohammedan rr Hindu, the coloured peoples under the Union Jackmight worship as they pleased. A further bond was the principle of equal justice. It should be realised that among the dark-skinned races of the Empire were many that were adolescent, and tremendous patience and forbearance had to be exercised in dealing with them, for the coloured peortle and ourselves were inter-dependent. The speaker concluded by showing that as Christian qualities are shown to the native races of the Empire the bonds of unity are strengthened. He emphasised this from both an Imperial and personal point of view.