EMPIRE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19971, 4 July 1930, Page 23

EMPIRE DAY.

GREAT FESTIVAL IN HYDE RARK. PRINTS GEORGE'S REVIEW. (jfEOIC OU3 OWI COfcKBSPONDBNT*) LONDON, May 30. Empire .Way was celebrated in. the heart of th(? Empire by a great festival in Hyde Park. Prince George took the salute ail 1 - the march past of nearly .7000 naval and military cadets, members of the Ypres League, the Legion of Frontiersmen, and "Old Contemptibles," with tile flags of Empire. The crowd' seemed twice as large as last year, fat behind the people who could see ttte pageant, there were many thousands wtio could only hear the choruses and the Hinging of the hymns. They broadcasted it right across the world. The sound of it, sent by wireless, reached every' country. The crowd sang VHearts of Oak" and'' Pack Up Your l'joubles,'' and'' Its a Long Way to Tipperary," and after they had seen the pageant of Empire they prayed, all together, for guidance in the great task of msing the British Empire as a means of seeing that truth prevailed, and that justice governed the earth. The massed banrfs of the Coldstream, Irish, and Welsh, "Guards accompanied the people in thcur community singing. Afterwards thene was a procession symbolic of the Empire. This was followed by another procession and a service at which the Chvrches of different denominations were represented, prayers being said by the Bishop of London. A large choir, conducted by Dr. Malcolm Sargent, led tfeu uinging of hymns, and the festival anile d with the National Anthem.

Afterwards came the parage and march-past in another part of twe Park. The columns of cadets—boys and girls —some in gay uniforms, and tha ißxtended line of flags, borne high by an Empire Flag party, made a brilliant parade. Having advanced in review order the contingents gave the Royal Salflte and flags were dipped. The Nationtfvl Anthem was sung, after which theit® were cheers for King and Empire. In Memory of Lord Meath. Then for a short interval solemnity was given to the proceedings as, in. memory of the late Lord Meath, the, pipers of the Irish Guards • playecl a. Lament. With slow, measured steps the pipers marched up and down the parade ground, and a deep silence was broken only by the grave music of the bagpipes, and the continuous roll of the drums. , The scene then changed, and there was a short spell of sunshine as .sea cadets and boys from training ships, taking their time from the British Legion City of London military band, began the maTch past. For half an hour Prince George was taking the salute. Towards the end there was a heavy shower of rain, but boys and girls alike continued to march in fine order. They were followed by the Ypres League, and the Legion of Frontiers:.nien.' Then came the "Old Contemptibles," in civilian dress, marching to «;he tune of "Tipperary"; there were laud cheers as they passed the saluting b»we- The final salute was giyen by the FMg party. Then the members of the public entered the enclosure and cheered Prince George as he left the parade grcrttnd. ______