EMPIRE DAY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26124, 29 May 1950, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY

COMMEMORATION SERVICE IN CATHEDRAL Under the rule of Henry VIII the British Empire consisted of the British Isles and the Port of Calais, said the Archdeacon of Manchester (the Ven. A. S. Bean) when he gave the address at the Empire commemoration service in the Christchurch Cathedral yesterday. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw the growth and expansion of the British Empire, Archdeacon Bean said. If studied in history, it could be seen that it was not an Empire gained by aggression; again and again Britain had tried to avoid the responsibility. It was something which grew almost apart. Years had brought changes, with the Empire divided into nations and Dominions. How much the Old Country owed to her sons and daughters, who had always come to her in the hour of need. There was no constitution, but the Empire, now a Commonwealth of governing nations, still belonged to the one family. Never should people forget that, through the Gospel and Christianity. British folk were led by the hand of God to great traditions. He, believed that in His own purpose God’ still had much for the British Empire. In days past and to come the Empire had a part to play in the gradual and unfolding purpose of God, said Archdeacon Bean.

The Cathedral was packed for the service, which was conducted by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. A. K. Warren). He was assisted by the Rev. S. C. Francis and the Rev. A. F. Collins. The Harmonic Society choir, assembled by Mr V. C. Peters, sang, and the organist was Mr C. Foster Browne. Representatives of the forces. Empire societies, boy scouts and girl guides, local body organisations. Australian infantry forces, the Legion of Frontiersmen, the Chamber of Commerce. and city clubs and societies were present.