ANNUAL DINNER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22427, 25 May 1936, Page 13

ANNUAL DINNER

PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES SIGNIFICANCE OF DAY PROBLEMS OF THE EMPIRE There was a large and representative attendance at Hotel Careen on Saturday night, when the annual Empire Da.v dinner, arranged by the Royal Empire Society in conjunction with the central committee of the patriotic societies of Auckland, was held. Dr. E. H. B. Milsom, vice-president of the Royal Empire Society, who presided, read the Empire Day message from the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and also, the message from the late Earl Beatty. Those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to Major J. R. Boose, president of the Auckland branch of the Royal Empire Society, who died at Auckland recently. In proposing the toast of "New Zealand and the Empire," Lady Sandeman Allen referred to the significance of Empire Day, in which a great collection of people joined in celebrating a regime of which the attributes were justice, fair play, sound judgment, a spirit of give and take, and team work. She mentioned the loss sustained in the past year through the death of King George and many other men who had given great services to the Empire, and the great responsibility of those who remained in instilling into the youth of the Empire the wonderful tradition which they had carried on. Need lor Population

11l replying, Sir George Richardson stressed the value of the various patriotic societies, not only in their ordinary services, but also in reminding people of the work of those who had given them the privileges they enjoyed to-day. Two major Empire problems were how best to work for peace, and how to help the congested populations to come into the empty spaces. For the first, New Zealand was solidly behind her leaders in supporting the League of Nations, but for the second, it vshould not be anything to boast about that 90 per cent of the people were New Zealaud-born. I This contention was strongly supported by Mr. Justice Callan, in proposing the toast of "The Empire Patriotic Societies." The policy of Australia and New Zealand in an overcrowded world was one of the most provocative influences to war and a standing cause of jealousy, if the empty spaces could not be filled with New Zealanders, our countrymen from overseas should be invited, or we would soon have much less desirable immigrants pressing for admission. Wartime Gameraderie

The toast was replied to by Professor F. P. Worley, and Mr. W. J. Lyon, M.P. for Waitemata, proposed the toast of "The Services." It was a tragedy that wartime cameraderie had not been continued in the ordinary affairs of life, he said. If people were a little more prepared to accept the integrity of others, many of our own and the world's problems would be solved. He regarded the services of the Empire as a major bulwark to make the League of Nations an effective machine for world peace. Captain Oliver Bevir, who replied on behalf of the Navy, said tho object of the services was to serve, not to rule. At the same time, the opinion was growing that the peace of the world was more likely to be achieved if the peaceloving nations were strong. Replying on behalf of the Army, Colonel C. R Spragg emphasised that there was a need for training now, or there would be regrets later.

Other toasts honoured were those of the King, Queen Mary, and the Royal Family. Items were given during the evening by Miss Gwenda Weir and Mr Len. Barnes.