COMMONWEALTH NEWS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 25 May 1915, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH NEWS

EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS

UNWONTED ENTHUSIASM.

STIRRING ADDRESSES DE-

LIVERED

SYDNEY, May 24. There was fine weather for Empire Day, and the public uoliday was marked by unwonted enthusiasm. Speakers at school and other demonstrations, instead of the usual latent loyalty, echoed the prevalent war spirit and national pride at the Dardanelles fighting. Many churches held early morning intercessory services. The Jockey Club meeting at Randwick and other sports meetings resulted in handsome sums being secured for the-Bel-gian Fund. Mr Leslie Barnetts, a Wellington city businessman, drew the winning ticket in the raffle for the racehorse Danum, which adds over £900 to the Belgian Fund. There was an enthusiastic demonstration at the Royal Exchange, where stirring speeches were made by Sir Gerald Strickland (Governor of New South Wales) and others. Rear-Ad-miral Cfesswell, referring to the work of the Australian navy, said it had not only defended ourselves, but had extended its protection to New Zealand. The Dominion was very appreciative of the work of the Australian navy, and so far as that was concerned was just as proud of it as if she had been a State of the Commonwealth. A resolution was carried expressing abhorrence of the sinking of the Lusitania and the use of poisonous gases, with a request that the surrender of the individuals responsible for these outrages be made a part of the terms of peace.

Professor David, addressing 'the High School pupils, ( dwelt on the necessity for self-sacrifice for the Empire. The time had cprae when those who could not join the Colors must practice self-abnegation. He advocated the "Follow the King" movement, and he thought the list of -things to be sacrificed should include horfe-racing, betting, and all that goes with that form of sport. All must be prepared to give something which would make us efficient in our helpfulness to the Empire. Referring to the Dardanelles, he said that what Australia had done on the Gallipoli Peninsula would be written in the future," and would cover the nation with a mantle of glory greater than that which clothed the heroic deeds of the ancient Greeks.

Mr Griffiths, speaking at the Fort Street School, said it was not yet a. certainty that the Allies would win. If the Germanic -Powers can be defeated it would only be by denial, selfsacrifice, and a determined effort by the British Empire and .the combined Allied people. "We believe we have right with us, and we believe that the splendid spirit of sacrifice and devotion of our people will succeed," he concluded.