EMPIRE DAY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16221, 25 May 1918, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY.

CELEBRATION BY OVERSEAS CLUB.

Patriotism was tlio keynote at thd Overseas Club's Empire Day demonstration in tlie Choral Hall last evening. The Mayor (Mr H. Holland) presided over a small attendance.

Mr G. T. Booth spoke on "The British Empire." Ho wondered if we realised what the British Empire really meant. Wo iiad a more or less intelligent comnrehcnsion of the onormous machinery of the Empire, but a totally inadequate idea of what* the Empire really was. The Empire was to-day engaged in war with barbarism to save righteousness, toi save the Son of God from eclipse. "Wo would go on fighting until this menace to the world's well-being was destroyed. (Applause.) The Rev. Percy Knight said the very thought of passing under the iron heel of Prussia was unbearable. We would! Tather die than live under such a servile yoke. (Applause.) _If England, France, America, and Italy wore beaten, it would only be when there was not a man living to tell the tale. (Applause.) We, however, placed our trust in a T)ivine God, not the Kaiser's God. With God's help we could not fail. God was still abroad in the world, and the final triumph of truth was inevitable. To doubt would be disloyalty, to falter sin. A peace to-day, he declared, would bo sheer madness. (Applause.) There could be no inconclusive peace if tho war had to last for twenty years. (Applause.) Such a peaco would be a compact with hell and a treaty with tho devil. War was holl, but there were times when men would brave hell to attain heaven. And such a timo was th« present. We must win tho war at all costs, and in such a way that no natioi would ever again bo aggressive. Colonel It. A. Chaffe.v, V.D., was thfl next speaker. He said ho thought we should congratulate ourselves on. all th< comforts wo had in this country. Things' were not charged from before! tho war. We had plenty to eat and drink, plenty of amusement, and no bombs falling among 11s. Those of us lelt behind must not forget the marvellous luck we possessed. Wo must carrj 011 and make all tho money wo could for the boys at tho front. Anyon< richer after tho war was not doing hii duty to his country. We must provide comforts for those who wanted them. Our boys at the front wanted comforts, and so did fheir wives and children.

The Rev. J. Paterson spoko on "Our Goodly Heritage." The coiißcicntious ol>jer:tor -was a remarkable proof of the freedom of thought allowed in the British Empire. When Britain emerged from this war sho would bo the mightiest military and nival power the world had ever scon. Her power would bo increased tenfold. She was goin? to dominate Europe, Africa, arid a large part of Asia. Vet no one was worrying about it. The Frenchmen, Italians, and other nationalities were quite prepared to trust us. There was not a Tipple of fear 011 the part of the other nations concerning _ us. This almost pathetic confidence in us should make us rise to the heights and make our-* pelves worthy of tho trust reposed in us

- An nddreFS was also given by # Mr Tj. M. Isitt. M.P.. his remarks being reported in another column. Durinii tho ovenincr a collection take* ut> in aitl of the British Sailors' Fun( realised £'S 9.». Musical items werf contributed by an orchestra.