EMPIRE DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21805, 21 May 1934, Page 10

EMPIRE DAY

OBSERVANCE ON THURSDAY ADDRESSES IN SCHOOLS Preparations for the observance in Auckland of Empire Day next Thursday have been almost completed. A -wreath will be laid on the Queen Victoria statuo in Albert Park, at noon, under the auspices of the Victoria League, and addresses will be given. Arrangements are being made by the Empire Day Committee of the patriotic societies of Auckland for speakers to attond the schools and address the pupils. For many years the public celebration of Empire Day has been linked with the observance of the King's birthday, June 3, although Slay 24 has not passed without recognition. The Empire Day Committee, of which Miss «T. A. Mowbray, 0.8. E., president of the Victoria League, is chairman, lias been in communication with the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, on the matter. In a letter to the committeo the Minister states: —"Observance of Empire Day on May 24 has never been revoked, but for convenience it was docided in 1912 that the day would not be celebrated as a separate public holiday on May 24, on account of tho close proximity of that day to the Sovereign's birthday. For that reason a notice has boon published by the Minister in tho Gazette for some years stating, in effect, that Empire Day would bo celebrated publicly in conjunction with tho King's birthday, Juno 3. Actually, however, Empire Day has still been observed on May 24, and this has taken tho form of flying flags on all Government buildings. This practice will continue."

For tho first tirno for some years organised Empire Day addresses were given in tho schools last year. In a recent letter to tho Empire Day Committee tho Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, stated: —"Sinco 192-1 the June number of tho School Journal has been made tho Empiro Day number. The May issue this year has already been printed and has no reference to Empire Day. Tho Juno number will contain matter bearing on Empire subjects, but will not be stamped 'Empire Day Number.' "