EMPIRE DAY

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 202, 24 May 1945, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY

Commemorated By Royal Society Of St. George

BRITISH HERITAGE

All British people-felt proud of the part the British Commonwealth had played in the defeat of Germany, said the High Commissioner for Australia, Mr. D’Alton, speaking at a gathering held by the Wellington branch of the Royal Society of St. George last night in commemoration of Empire Day. „ ... . The Nazis had looked on the British people as weak and decadent, failing to see that, beneath their easy-going appearance, they were ready to fight and, it necessary, die for the things they held dear. Britain's democratic institutions had proved adaptable to the needs of war. and the spirit of free men superior to the Nazi slave mentality. Though she went to arms ill prepared Britain bad never faltered in her faith in ultimate victory, and the world of free men owed her a debt that would endure throughout history. , , ~ , Mingled with pride there should also be a sincere heart-searching. In victory we should not relapse into complacency. The war was only half won. Japan, which menaced homes in Australia and New Zealand, had yet to be conquered and Australian and British troops ami New Zealand airmen w'ere still fighting deadly battles with a resolute foe. We should trv also to profit from past mistakes. We should admit that we British were inclined to he lazy-minded in international affairs. lor many years the Commonwealth and Empire find been an example to mankind of a stable and prosperous brotherhood of nations, and we had a tendency to look down on other nations. ~ . . War had shown that we could not isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. Even Great Britain and her mighty Empire. which held off the German forces in 1940-41. was not sufficient to beat the enemy to his knees. Only with the help of powerful Allies was Germany finally Our justifiable pride m being British must never interfere 'with our obligations to be good members of a world organization for security. Because of our exnerience we had. a great deal to con tnbute to the success of that organiza'lo“We must look forward,” said Mr. d’Alton. “That does not mean forgettin" the lessons of the past. Least of all does it mean abandoning our.successful practical co-operation within the British Commonwealth. Rather it means an expansion of our tried and proved ideas and institutions to a wider scale. Mr. W. J. Dyment, of Canadian National Railways, spoke on behalf of Canada, outlining that country s contribution in men and materials to the common war effort. Discussing the racial origins of the Canadian people, be said that the percentages were: French 33, English 26, Scottish 12, Irish 11, and others 28. Of those of British stock, some were the descendants of British Empire loyalists who, after the Boston tea partv,” went north to settle under the Empire flag, mostly in New Brunswick and the eastern towns of Ontario and Quebec. , The word “empire” came from the past with a rather sinister connotation, said Mr. J. S. Barton. ’lt had been said that, as a general truth, nothing was more opposed to the well-being and freedom of men than vast empires, but Britain had brought to the building up ot her Empire certain qualities that hau given the word a ne>v meaning. Ibose qualities were: a capacity.to-see and tolerate the other man’s point of view, a passionate love of personal freedom and a willingness to concede freedom to others; an innate capacity for self-gov-ernment and unorganized co-operation. By the exercise of these qualities Britain bad built up a commonwealth of free, independent,, self-governing units bound only by the silken cords of a common language. There was a large attendance at the gathering, over which the president of the society. Mr. J- E. Hunt, presided. An enjoyable musical programme was presented and supper was served. PART INSTRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM

Model For World To Copy

“Final victory is now assured and on this Empire Day we know that our cause will triumph. We, of the British Commonwealth and Empire, acknowledge with gratitude and admiration the tremendous part played by our great Allies,’’ says an Empire Day message from Earl Gowrie, V.C., president of' the Empire Day Movement. “In the long view of history the British Empire will be given a place peculiar to itself in the story of this decisive struggle for all that civilized men cherish. History will tell forever how, when aggressors had overSiilli all Europe and no siuall part of ASl'li; Africa and the Pacific Ocean, our Commonwealth and Empire stood together and were welded into even closer unity. In those grim days when we stood alone, truly did Mr. Churchill say that a thousand years hence men would declare, speaking of us. ‘This was their finest hour.' “Great problems are ahead of us, great tasks and great dangers. Future peace and security depend upon the peoples of the world being able to transcend the narrow limits of sovereign states and establish wider relationships of mutual trust and confidence. In this noble endeavour the British Commonwealth of free nations may provide a model for the world to copy. On this Empire Day, one of the most fateful in all our history, this is a proud thought for us all, but it lays a heavy respohsibility upon us. The unity which we have shown in war we must carry over in times of peace.

“So let us'bear these things in mind and look forward boldly, with faith in God, to this great destiny of ours, knowing (hat in achieving it we are working, not only for ourselves, but for others and knowing also that wc have it in °t lr power, if we will, to take a leading part in bringing about a world order of peace based on the trustful co-operation of all peoples.”