EMPIRE DAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2766, 9 May 1916, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY

ALL-FOR-EMPIRE LEAGUE'S PLANS ' INTERESTING THE CHILDREN. ' ! ' For some years past Empire Day (Juue 3) has been little more than a name ■in Wellington. That was no disparagement ot our loyalty, but was ■actually the result .of the existing belief that too many holidays were lieing observed' here; and patriotism was becoming an excuse for "a day off." On this ocoauion, however, the All for Empire- Leaguo intend to mark the day by interesting the children in a vital ques-tion~-tlie. great importance of firmly establisning _ trade within the Empire, and restraining the peaceful penetration

of our- commercial and political integrity by allowing an euemy firm to ilood our markets with his goods, »s Germany has' done in the pa&t. The league, in the prosecution of its purpose, lias forwarded the following circular to several local institutions:— ■'_ "The committee • of the All for -Empi ro League is arranging for demonstrations in connection with the public launching of, the league in Wellington on Empire Day, Saturday,-June 3, and it is anxious to secure the co-operation of your members in arranging in connection therewith for a display of allBritish goods during the week closing on that day. With the joint assistance of the Industrial Association and tho. two Chambers of Commerce, the committer of my. league, are of the opinion that a very satisfactory exhibition of inch goods (air made, of course,-within tho Empire) could be arranged for in the principal shop windows in the City of Wellington.-

"1 may perhaps oxplain that tho pio■graniine our committee have in hand includes visits on tho part of commercial men and members of the league to the various city and suburban' schools on the afternoon ot Friday, June 2, the Headmasters' Association .having kindly promised to-devote the day to lessons of a patriotic character, and to give such' speakers as we select the opportunity of addressing the children on Empire subjects, and of enrolling them as juvenile members of the All for Empire League, the objects of which will, of courao, be explained to them together with the simple pledge they will b'e asked to sign'on. the roll itself. We 1 Very grateful if you would select, say, half a dozen of your members to .'act as speakers to the children on that occasion. On Empire Day itself it ts proposed to hold a juvenile demonstration at the Town Hall in tho afternoon,' and in this again we expect to hav« the co-operation of the. teachers, the main object of tho gathering Being to further impress the juvenile mind with the desirability of discouraging in such way as ia open to r.hein, all enemy trading. The prograiumo will be well diversified, but throughout will be of a patriotic character." At wo propose holding a mass gathering at the Town Hall, when the principal speakers will be the Right Honourable tho Prime Minister, tho Right Honourable Sir Joseph .Ward/ and the Mayor of Wellington, who' wilApresida over the proceedings, and move tho .'special resolutions which aro to be put to th<Y meeting" When the above circular was before the Wellington Chamber of Commerce yesterday it was left t<j the. president Ut&d vhe-prv'sident to arrange speakers for the day, as requested.

PROGRAMME FOR CHILDREN. .At their mid-day meoting yesterday, held at the clubhouse m victoria Street,, tlio commercial iiavellers,-in furtherance or" their All-I'or-Empire syheme, received Air. William hosier's report ox the fleeting of the Headmasters' Association,' held on Saturday, to consider what action should be taKeu in connection With the league's proposals tor the juvenile demonstrations ou Empire Day. Mr. Manion, as chairman of tlio meeting, read Air. Foster's letter, 1 stating, inter alia, "My. association ratified unanimously my proposals as laid before your committee on lUonday last, for the proceedings on Juno 2J {Friday), viz.: In the morning suitable special lessons .will be given in tlie upper classes ,on some of-the special objec ts of the "All-For-Empire League.' In the afternoon .functions will be arranged in all the schools (patriotic songs, etc.), at which one.accredited speaker Ironi'your league will address the Upper Standards on the objects of the league.' Concert, Town Hall, Juno 3. Tho pupils of the otlij and (jth Standards or all• the schools, in charge of their respective staffs, will bu present, A representative of -my association will act as marshal of. the schools on this occasion, and will confer with you in duo time as' to amount of seating accommodation that will be required' ior the purpose. Essays: Headmasters will set subjects in the sth and Oth Standards, embodying some of the objects of your league, and' will select, say, the, best two essays from, each school, and forward to your cohimittec. My association suggests that, in this connection, Mr. F: H. Bakewell, Inspector of Schools, might bd associated with the gentleman selected by you as judge of these essays.. If in the opinioii of. your committee any essays aio considered worthy of publication, tho namo of tho pupil to be. published, but not fhe namo of the scliooh"

Mr. Man ton moved that the proposals as submitted by Mr. FosLer be approved and that his suggestion, that Mr. Bak'ewell be associated with the gentleman chosen to judge the essays be adopted, and that Mr. Bakcwell's name be added te the committee. This was agreed to. The meeting then set up the. following sub-committees to act in connection with the celebration arrangements:—Publicity Committee, Messrs. Manton, Brewer, Hobday, Mackenzie, and' James; Entertainment- Committee, Messrs. Phelps, T. ]£'. Thomson, A. M; Lewis, A. A. Marryattj P. Myers, Rushbrool;, Carr, and 11. Brower, and tho. chairman, and secretary; Reception Committee', Messrs. Manton; Jacobs, James, and Rush; Nomination Committee, Messrs. Mahton, Reich, and Rush. ! The Entertainment Committee was empowered to arrange for the formation of a Ladies' Committee to assist in the arrangements generally.