EMPIRE DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 121, 24 May 1935, Page 9

EMPIRE DAY.

AUCKLAND'S PART.

WREATH ON QUEEN'S STATUE. EAKL JELUCOE'S MESSAGE. Empire Day is being celebrated throughout the British Empire to-day. It marks not only the anniversary ni the birthday of Queen Victoria, but also the growth of the Empire during and since her reign. in Auckland a short ceremony was held at 12.15 this afternoon in front of the etatue of Queen Victoria in Albert Park. It was organise! by the Victoria league and other patriotic societies. The president of the league, Miss J. A. Mowbray, 0.8. E., placed a wreath at the foot of the etatu', wiiile other wreaths were deposited by the King's Empire Veterans and the British Legion. Miss E. Melville, representing the city council, spoke on the meaning of Empire Day and the need for every part of the Empire, no matter how far from the Mother Country, to co-op?rate as a Commonwealth of Nations. A message from Admiral cf the Fleet, Earl Jellicoe, former GovernorGeneral of New Zealand and president: of the Empire Day Movement, was read to the gathering by Mr. H. J. Wernham, chairman of the central committee of the patriotic societies of Auckland: — "The people of the British Empire, when celebrating Empire Day this year, will naturally have specially in mind the fact that Their Majesties have reigned for 25 years. Jubilee rejoicing will be general throughout the Empire, and thoughts will turn to the momentous events which have marked those 25 years. First and foremost will be the realisation of the fact that the different portions of our Empire, scattered all the world over, and comprising many races, are bound together in the persons of Their Majesties and the Royal Family, so many members of which have visited all parts of the Empire during the last 25 years, and have been welcomed everywhere with enthusiastic loyalty. The proofs of unity of empire so unmistakably manifested during the Great War, and followed up in peace time by such events as Imperial Conferences and the Ottawa Conference, will be borne in mind. The courageous manner in which the Empire faced most difficult years of depression will be recalled with pride and satisfaction. "The wonderful results achieved by the conquest of the air during Hie Majesty's reign will be in our mind* since this has brought the different parts of the Empire into infinitely closer communication, both for passengers and mails, whilst the advance of science in regard to wireless and telaphonce hae made actual speech between all parts of the Empire possible. Tha natural effect of all this should be a yet closer knitting together of the Empire, a etrengthened unity and a keener sense of comradeship. In sending wannest greetings in this specially signifleanr year, I pray that the difficulties which still confront us may bo soon overcome, and that, standing together in strength and sympathy, we may keep the Empire that outstanding influence for peace and security that it has been in the past.' After the ceremony in Albert Park Mies Mowbray laid a wreath on the Maori War Memorial at the intersection of Symonds and Wakefield Streets. The Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society, in co-operation with the central committee of the Auckland patriotic societies, hae arranged a dinner to be held at Hotel Cargen this evening.