EMPIRE DAY SPEECHES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22119, 27 May 1935, Page 10

EMPIRE DAY SPEECHES

BRITISH CELEBRATIONS MR. FORBES AT BANQUET NOTE OF APPRECIATION By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 28, 7.6 p.m.) LONDON. May 2t> Empire Day was celebrated on Friday throughu.it Britain. Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe, formerly Governor-General of New Zealand, broadcast an address to school children. The Overseas League held a special service in Westminster Abbey. The King acknowledged a loyal message sent by 8000 scholars who were celebrating the day at the Empire Pool, Wembley. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. G. W. Forbes, last evening addressed a distinguished gathering of 1000 guests at an Empire Day Silver Jubilee banquet in the vast underground hall at Grosvenor House. The High Commissioner, Sir James Parr, and Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Coates, were present. Before extolling Britain's heritage, Mr. Forbes said: "I am not attempting to sell butter and cheese this evening, nor to give figures. I do not want to say what we have done, but to show appreciation for what you have douo.'' The Sunday Express prominently displays a long article by Mr. Forbes on j its editorial page, dealing with Empire : trade and laying special stress upon New j Zealand's purchases from Britain. !

AVIATION DAY VISITS TO AERODROMES BIG GATHERINGS EXPECTED British Wireless EUGBY, May 24 Forty-five Royal Air Force stations will be open to visitors to-inorrow to enable them to inspect the normal work of the units, and in some cases witness rehearsals of items under preparation for the Hen don display on 29. Fifty-three civil aerodromes also will be open to inspecton. The occasion is Empire Air Day, and in many parts of the Empire similar celebrations will take place to foster public interest in aviation and to exhibit the advances made in aviation science. The Air League of the British. Empire has received from the Prince of Wales a letter expressing confidence that the success of the first Empire Air Day last year, when in the British Isles aloue 137,000 people visited aerodromes, will be outdone. This is highly probable, as it is being held this year on Saturday instead of in the middle of the week. The Prince adds that it is impossible to exaggerate the importance of developing " air-mindedness," not only among enthusiasts, but among the whole population.