THE BONDS OF EMPIRE

Evening Star, Issue 19552, 10 May 1927, Page 6

THE BONDS OF EMPIRE

CANBERRA FUNCTIONS MUTUAL FELICITATIONS Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, May 10. A reception was tendered by the members of the Federal Cabinet to the overseas representatives at Parliament House. Mr Bruce, in welcoming the delegates, expressed the great pride which Australia felt in that day’s historic inaugural ceremony, and its greater sense of nationhood, to which much has been added by the presence of distinguished representatives of Canada and New Zealand, South Africa, and India. Their presence was yet another striking manifestation of unity which bound the Empire together. “Our nationhood,” continued Mr Bruce, “ had been recognised by the Great Powers of the world, from most of whom wa have received messages expressive of their good-will, but the messages that pleased us most were those from the sister dominions and the Mother Country.” The overseas representatives, in' felicitious speeches, acknowledged the welcome which had been accorded them, and on behalf of their countries expressed goodwill to the Commonwealth. The Hon. A. D. M'Leod, on behalf of New Zealand, read a message from Mr Coates, and added that as a member of the New Zealand Government he had great pleasure in affirming the sentiments contained in Mr Coates’s message. Geographically, the countries were separated by the wide and often turbulent waters of the Tasman Sea, but nationally they were linked together in that close union which sprang from a common heritage of one Mother Land, one King, and one flag. In addition, there was a bond of union arising from the glorious sacrifices of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, now immortalised in the sacred name of Anzac. AVIATOR SUCCUMBS. CRASH NOT SEEN BY MANY. CANBERRA, May 10. (Received May 10, at 10.10 a.m.) Flying Officer Frank Ewen has succumbed to his injuries. Ewen, whose age was twenty-eight, was a New Zealander. After graduating at Duntroon Military CoTlege, ho held a commission in the New Zealand permanent forces till he joined the Australian Air Force early in 1920. Sympathy with the relatives was expressed by the Duke and Duchess of York, the Governor-General, and Minister of Defence, and the heads of the Air Board. The members of the Air Board stated that by the death of Ewen a keen and promising young officer had been lost to the air force.

Even’s machine was flying at a height of 500 ft with four others in the form of tils letter V. Even’s plane seemed to fall behind the others. When he attempted a spurt to catch up, the plane appeared to make an upward movement. It then turned straight down, the nose and point of the left wing striking the ground simultaneously. As the machines were exercising on the opposite side of Government House to the spot on which the review was held, not many people saw the crash. YESTERDAY’S EVENTS. SYDNEY, May 10. (Received Slay 10, at 1.10 p.m.) Yesterday’s investiture at Canberra was a brilliant function. At the conclusion of the review a large efflux of general visitors commenced. Many motor cars had an exceptionally rough time going and returning, owing to the bad state of the roads, and numbers were completely bogged. The ceremonies on the whole were highly successful. Mr Bruce was greatly pleased. The most serious complaint is on the part of the newspapers, in consequence of the delays in getting the news telegraphed through. This, according to the Postal Department, was due to the pressure of official business preventing the adequate handling of the largo accumulation of Press messages. It is stated that at 8 o’clock last night 100,000 words of Press matter awaited transmission from Canberra.

The widows of Mr Alfred Deakin nnd other statesmen who assisted in the past in bringing the federation into being were given a prominent position at yesterday’s ceremonies. At the presentation of the overseas delegates to their Royal Highnesses the representative of the Indian Government approached the Duke and Duchess an 4 placed around the neck of each garlands of solid gold richly studded with jewels. This is lecogniscd as the highest honor that an Indian potentate can confer on anyone, and the Royal pair were extremely touched with the generosity of the donor.

LONDON’S CONGRATULATIONS

LONDON, May 10. (Received May 10, at noon.) The Lord Mayor lias requested Sir Joseph Cook to convey to the Commonwealth Government London’s congratulations on the opening of Canberra.

CHESS BY WIRELESS CANBERRA AND LONDON. LONDON, May 9. (Received May 10, at 1.6 p.m.) Snch a galaxy of talent never wrestled in a chess match with such small results. The House of Commons team included Sir John Simon, who generously sacrificed two days’ court work in order to play He spent four hours mostly in awaiting moves from Australia. The beam was working excellently, hut the Melbourne-Canberra land lino was erratic. Mr Baldwin, aided by a mascot (a black-and-white bulldog), opened by playing PK 4 at the second board. A little later the Duke of York’s move was received with loud cheers, and the play commenced in earnest, but if Australia wants to justify the experiments she must speed up the Melbourne-Can-berra land lino before to-morrow’s play.