THE EMPIRE PAGEANT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 80, 6 April 1910, Page 2

THE EMPIRE PAGEANT.

INAUGURATION LUNCHEON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 25th February. To inaugurate the Festival of Empire and the Pageant of London, which will be- held during May, June, and July at the Crystal Palace, a large and distinguished company assembled at the Savoy Hotel on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the Earl of Plymouth, when the Imperial aims of the promoters were described. Telegrams of good wishes were read by the chairman from Lord Crewe, who hoped that the festival would delight and instruct a great number and stimulate interest in the welfare of the Empire; from Earl Grey, and from Lord Selborne. "THE EMPIRE." The chairman, having proposed the toast of "The British Empire," the Duke of Marlborough responded, and said that the pageant would bring their fellow-citizens into closer touch with the home of the Empire. - Sir Pieter Bam (senior member for Capetown), who also responded, said as soon as the South African Parliament was opened they also were going to have a pageant, also managed by MiFrank Lascelles. He was very hopeful that South Africa would be able to take a good part in the London pageant, as their heart was with London in the work. He was speaking to them as a Dutchman. (Cheers.) They were now all Britishers in South Africa, and all they wanted to do was to further the interests of the Empire. They had difficulties and problems still to solve out there, but they could veil be left alone in solving them. London had started with a pageant, and he hoped it would end with an Imperial Parliament where representatives of the Dominions could take their share in ouilding up a great Empire. (Cheers.) In replying to the toast of "London, the Heart of the Empire," Sir M. Beachcr&ft observed that a New Zea.lander once said to him : "If you here cared as much for us as we in New Zealand cared for you, then, indeed, there would be real Imperial unity." (Applause). GREAT SOCIAL "AT HOME." Lord Desborough submitted the toast of "The Festival of Empire." Lord Plymouth, in reply, hoped that the visitors from the Empire would b& as welcome in the old Mother Country as they invariably made welcome Englishmen to their own lands. > Mr. Frank Lascelles adde/i a few words, saying that they were inviting brethren from overseas to a great social At Home ia the beautiful grounds of Sydenham. The Pageant would only be a central point of a great festival. The Palace courts would be arranged to show a pictorial history of our Dominions in all stages of their development. In the amphitheatre designed by Sir Aston Webb they had resources which would have been envied by the producers of the old Greek dramas. The council had received many offers of hospitality from people all over London, who were wishful to entertain colonial guests. Some hundreds, chosen by the Governors-General, were coming from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, and he hoped they would feel at home here. SOME OF THE ATTRACTIONS. The organisers of the festival are prepared to deal with a daily attendance of 250,000 persons. The Pageant of London, produced by 15,000 performers, will be the central feature of the festival, but apart from this the organisers have arranged a programme of entertainments in the Crystal Pala.e and grounds the like of which has reveibefore been Attempted. The list of attractions will include the following : — Empire Exhibition in the Palace. Each over-seas State has a separate court. Daylight cinematograph displays, showing the various industries in the over-seas States. Newfoundland Trappers' Camp in the grounds — a scene from the oldest colony. Canadian Farmstead — one of the now famous model farms. "Life in Rfaodesia" — a panoramic exhibition, of the South African province. Art Exhibition by colonial artists. 'The Brains of the Empire" — an Imperial Inventions Exhibition, more than 1000 exhibits being staged. Exhibition of Historical Paintings depicting the architectural history of London. Special performances in the thentre by leading English actors and actresses. Historical Costume Ball and Carnival. Eight acres of Old English Fair Ground. In *he Art Exhibition, the work of New Zealand artists will be represented, and the musical ability of the Dominion will be shown in the Empire concerts.