EMPIRE DAY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 203, 25 May 1944, Page 6

EMPIRE DAY

Victoria League Arranges Musical Celebration

People asked. “Why do we go ou celebrating Empire Day?” said Mrs. J. A. Doctor at the Victoria Leagues celebration in Wellington yesterday afternoon of Empire Day. The British Parliament must have considered it worthy of remembrance. for ever since the Queens death the occasion had ben observed, an evergreen reminder of now the nmpire was built up aud consolidated during her "Teat reign. " At the outbreak of this war, Germany thought the British Empire would revolt against helping the Motherland, but it was mistaken, for war found the Empire more united than ever. Mrs. Doctor said. The Empire could be likened to a family having-the same component parts. It assault threatened, tbe rest of the family presented a four-square front to the dan"■er Just as in family life, where criticism was often levelled at it from within, so wore writers fond of disparaging the Empire’s achievements. Such criticism was often healthy and honest. The common danger had united them more than ever and solidified the Empire as never before. For the future this unification would be kept by a faith in one another and in the Creator who was the sustainer and unifier of all. . . A poem on the Empire, written .by Professor Lawson, of Otago University, was read by Mrs. Doctor, who also announced ■ that a tine painting of Queen Victoria had been presented to the league by Mrs. Thornley, it bavins belonged to her mother. . A specially-arranged musical programme, which included songs and music of Queen Victoria’s time-and modern and old patriotic songs, was presented by Mrs. Arthur Barnett. The artists were Mrs. L. Cronin, songs. Miss Shirley Craig, pianoforte solos. Miss Annette Burgess, recitations and monologues, Mr. 1. Mood, songs, and Mrs. Barnett, who also accompanied the singers, songs at the piano. Lovely sprays of flowers were presented to the performers and to Mrs. Colin Macdonald. a special guest from Blenheim. Other visitors were Mrs. Corry, Blenheim. Mrs. Prosser. Auckland, and Mrs. A. Juriss, Dunedin. The room was beautifully decorated with flowers by Mrs. Hugh McGill and another member. Mrs. G, E. Corrigan, made floral posies, which, together with flowers from members gardens, were sold for the soldiers parcels fund. Mrs. L. O. H. Tripp proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the performers and tea Vas served by the catering committee.