EMPIRE DAY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 202, 23 May 1936, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY

Message From Laie Earl

Beatty SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE To-morrow is the day set aside as Empire Day. Shortly before his death Earl Beatty, president of tiie Empire Day Movement, prepared a message to the people of the Empire for publication to-day. On his death the chairman of the movement in the United Kingdom asked that the message, which has been received in New Zea land through the Governor-General, Lord Galway, should be published. The message draws attention to the fact that it is the first Empire Day of the new reign, and asks that it. therefore be given special significance. The late Earl Beatty’s message is as follows: —

“As president of the Empire Day Movement in succession to the late Earl Jellicoe, whose lamented death last year was so heavy a loss to us and to the cause which he had so much at heart, it is my privilege to address you this Empire Day. “Since last Empire Day we have mourned the death of a beloved sovereign who was indeed the father of his people—that world-wide family to whom I now speak. We recall with gratitude the late King-Emperor’s wisdom and kindliness, and Dis unwearying devotion to the welfare of his subjects, and we cherish his memory with lasting affection. “Upon this, the first Empire Day of the reign of King Edward VIII, let us join in offering to his Majesty our respectful congratulations upon his accession, an assurance of our loyalty to bis throne and-our attachment to his person, and our heartfelt wishes that his reign may be long and glorious. “In this time of unexampled international anxiety, let us celebrate Empire Day in a spirit of deep thankfulness that we are citizens of a great and united Empire, powerful in the cause of world peace. As an Empire, we must by our example and our exertions thrive to secure a greater measure of tolerance and understanding among the nations; as individuals, we must determine, every one of us, to play our part in upholding the great traditions of our race. “I trust that Empire Day may be given special significance tins year to mark his Majesty’s accession, and I send my warmest greetings and best wishes to you all.”

A cable message from London published yesterday stated that although 15,000 copies of Earl Beatty’s Empire Day message had been circulated throughout the Empire, the London County Council would not permit it to be read in the schools. No reason was given by the council for declining the Empire Day movement’s offer of supplies. Two years ago the council, which has a Socialist majority, decided to change the name of Empire Day to Commonwealth Day.