AUSTRALIA DAY

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 9

AUSTRALIA DAY

CELEBRATION IN LONDON

Australian Press Association—United Sarrict.

(Eoceivod 26th Jaliuaiy, 9 a.m.) • LONDON, 25th January. ."The Australian High Commissioner (General Ryrie). made his first public appearance since his illness for the Aus. tralia Day celebrations at St. Dunsan's-in-the-East. There was a large congregation. The church was decorated with wattle. The rector^ the Rev. Arthur West, read a telegram dispatched to the Queen on behalf of the congregation recording gratitude to God for the King's returning "strength.' ■. At the end of the service he read a reply as follows:—"The Queen gratefully appreciates the loyal and kind message of deep sympathy on the King's illness. Her Majesty is touched with the fervent good wishes expressed for the King's continued, progress, and offers /one and all her warm thanks."

The octogenarian Bishop of Willeston preached an eloquent sermon from the text, "Go up and possess tho land which I have given unto you." He said that Australians had made great efforts to possess the land and develop it so as to bring forth wonderful fruits. He was afraid, however, that the spirit of selfishness sometimes keeps the people of Australia from wishing to take even England's best. •

Tho collection was divided between Pah-bridge School and tho Church o£ England Emigration Society. Following tho service a reception in the Cloth-workers' Hall, Mincing lane,' was largely attended.