LITTLE ENGLANDERS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13161, 7 July 1908, Page 4

LITTLE ENGLANDERS.

THE FLAG ON EMPIRE DAY. REFUSAL OF RADICALS TO FLY IT. (FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, May 22. A strong section of the Liberal party has for long deplored the fact that iv tho colonies, at any rate, the political camp to which they belong is regarded as being out of touch with the Imperial sentiment, as.it exists in those colonies. And we in England have had protestations many that the Radical Codlin is the friend, and not the Conservative Short. Small wonder, however, if such feeling does -exist when wo nnd a Liberal Government acting as :t hat; decided to act this week in connection with the Empire Day celebration.

At question time in the Hou.se ot Commons ou Tuesday, Lord Winterton asked tho First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to tho almost universal recognition of Empire Day by the self-governing communities of his Majesty's Dominion beyond the Seas, he would give instructions for tho Union .lark to be flown on the Treasury buildings on Empire Day.

Questions similar in character were put to the Home Secretary, the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary for Scotland, the Presidents of the Board of Trade, Loyal Government Board, and Board of Education, tho Irish Secretary, and the Secretary for War. Mr Asqui.h replied: "My various colleagues, to whom similar questions h,.vc been addressed, agreo with mc that no sufficient reason has been shown for departing in this particular from tho practice of our predecessors." (Cheers and counter-cheers.)

On the motion for adjournment, Lord Winterton again called attention to the subject, and appealed to tho Government that some official cognisance should be taken of tho day in this country.

The Prime Minister said he was delighted, hut not surprised, to hern that during the last threo years the sentiment of Imperial patriotism and tho common spirit of loyalty throughout tho Empire had grown to dimensions previously unknown— (laughter) —and to that extent ho had no doubt it wa.s truo that there was a change in tho situation since tho present Government had had the honour to assume responsibility. That was an important factor. He could assure Lord Winter-on that if ho and his friends would convey to him from time to timo finch information as was at their disposal of tho growth of a general desire for this particular form of manifestation or demonstration of patriotism on tho part of children or adults —those who were common citizens of tho Empire to which they- belonged— it would bo received with the most respectful consideration. (Ironical Ministerial cheers and laughter.) Of course it is truo that the Unionists, when in office, did not recognise Empire Day. But the project has made rapid strides since then. Next day, tho moment the Union Jack was mentioned in tho Houso of Commons, loud mocking laughter rose from tho Irish Nationalists and the Socialists. When the question of the Flag was put to a division those opponents of it wero supported in the division lobbies by a number of Liberals.

The occasion was the motion of Captain Craig, thn uncompromising Ulster Unionist, for leave to bring in a Bill "to provide for tho due display of the National Flag, morn particularly on Empire Day." Tho Nationalists laughed derisively when Captain Craig rose from th© .Unionist benches. Through his brief speech they and t""*o Socialists broke in with gibes, insults, and fugues of jeering laughter. When Captain Craig mado a quiet request for a courteous hearing, tho nnti-Brit-ish party were immensely tickled. "Float it over the brewery I" bawled a back-bench Irishman when Captain Craig explained that the Bill would make it compulsory for Ministers -o fly the Flag over tho Government Buildings on Empire Day. It provided, further, for the display of the National Flag over tho national schools in Ireland, where consent was given by tho majority of tho managers and parents.

Amid loud raucous laughter, many interruptions, and a buzz of conversation from people who turned their backs on him, Cantain C»-aig ended his brief speech. The majority of the Liborals, including all tho members of tho Government, sat still and shirked tho issue. Tho Unionists present voted for the motion. The Nationalists and tho Socialists and tho smallest of tho Little England Liberals voted against it. So to tho tune of a Nationalist and Socialist shout tho motion for leave to bring in the British Flag Bill was defeated by 156 to 88.