EMPIRE FESTIVAL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 3, 5 January 1910, Page 6

EMPIRE FESTIVAL.

COLONIES AND MOTHER

COUNTRY

CRYSTAL PALACE PAGEANT

(Christchurch Press Correspondent.) LONDON, Nbv: 19. An influentially supported schemeis well in'-hakd, f6r the production of a national jpageant at the Crystal Palace, and it is explained in the following letter from the, Earl of Plymouth:—"The arrangements which have been in progress for upwards of a year are now completed, and the whole of the Crystal Palace and its extensive grounds of more than 200 acres have* been taken over by the Council of the Festival of Empire for. the summer months- of next year. I shall be deeply gratefulfor your assistance in bringing before the public the general scope of the festival. It will be the occasion, in which we feel sure that every Briton will be keenly

interested, of a social gathering in England of! our fellow-subjects of the British Empire from the different Dominions across the seas-; and it is hoped that the result will be farreaching in its effect and of real value in increasing -our mutual understanding and goodwill, and thus in more firmly welding the bonds of the Empire. There will be an important educational side to the Festival, with interesting representations of the various aspects of scenery, life, and industries in the different countries; and, as a- central feature produced with special regard to dignity and to beauty, a cycle of pageants showing the history of London, the 'heart' of the Empire. Already the overseas Dominions have evinced keen interest in the project, and contingents from each of the countries under the Crown have been invited, the organisation abroad being represented by their Excellencies the Viceroy of .India and the Cbmitess of Minto, their Excellencies the Gov.ernor-wen.eral of Canada and, 1bh&; Counters Grey, their Excellencies the Governor-General of Australia and the Countess of Dudley, his Excellency the Governor of New Zealand and Lady Plunket, his' Excellency the Governor of Newfoundland and Lady Williams, his Excellency the High Commissioner of South Africa and the Countess of Selborne. In conclusion,. I may add that any profits which may accrue will be devoted to the King Edward VII. Hospital Fund."

The dominant idea of those responsible for the scheme is the education of the masses to an appreciation of the real meaning of Empire. Too little is known at Home of the Colonies,, of their work and life and possibilities. To obtain a proper understanding a true knowledge is essential, and it is hoped that with a correct insight into the lives of the Britons overseas a closer intimacy will be established, making not only for individual goodwill, but tending to widen the scope of national aspirations. Through the festival, Britons at Home will learn how each great oversea Dominion has been built up, and the position thatT each colony, each unit, now bears in relation to the whole Empire-. The numerous courts of the Crystal Palace are to be converted into independent exhibitions of all the Colonies. These are to be no mere collection of products, but are to be so arranged and so conducted as to give, as far as possible, local color in every case. For each colony is to endeavour to show not only its natural wealth, but its industries and what it has achieved for those who have elected to dwell therein. With this object, each. Governor-General has acted as the head of the working committee entrusted with the carrying out of details of the scheme. Two hundred residents will be chosen from each colony, and these will be brought over to take part in the cycle of pageants which are to be the main feature of the festival. The expenses will naturally be very heavy, but a guarantee fund of £50,000 against joss has already been promised. The ■Uuke of Norfolk, Lord Avebury, Lord Burnham, Lord .Roberts, and ■- Lord Strathcona . have shown a 'keen-"in-terest in the undertaking, and it is hoped official recognition will be forthcoming from each colony represented 111 the form of a financial grant. The Crystal Palace has been hired tor three months, and it is hoped that 1910; 15,000 amateurs will take part hi the pageant, which is to describe ™ hlsto. ry of London— the heart of the Empire—from its earliest days to the_ present time. The story will be told in three parts, the arrangements being entrusted to Mr Frank Lascelles, who will in all probability follow on the lines he adopted on the occasion of the Quebec ter-centenary pageant. One. of the most interesting scenes will be a representation of the first Derby, with racehorses, an actual race, and a prize. Wellington's review of the troops after returning as the victor of Waterloo will also be depicted, and the running of the first railway train in the metropolis is to be found a place. Adjoining each section of the exhibition there will be a court where cinematographs will be requisitioned to display the manifold items of interest m the lives of the Colonists. Ihere will be portraits.-of Empire builders, founders, . and colonial statesmen, while to increase the educational value of the. festival, lectures vL?i rT^ ent, men will be delivered legularly m the various sections, at-, tendance at which is to be free A notable feature of the undertaking is to be,the moderate price of admission

Th» exact amount has not yet been •fixed,, but it is to> be sufficiently low to be within the reach of all. ' .The arrangements include days set aside for Empire concerts and lectures by well-known men upon the Colonies and colonial life-.