EMPIRE DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23355, 25 May 1939, Page 14

EMPIRE DAY

AUCKLAND OBSERVANCE ALBERT PARK FUNCTION MESSAGES OF LOYALTY THE PLACING OF WREATHS The pilgrimage of the Auckland public to the statue of Queen Victoria in Albert Park at noon yesterday, in commemoration of Empire Day, was a sincere tribute of the people* in their devotion to the Empire. There was a large attendance, and representative speakers, in stressing the gravity of present-day world affairs, sounded a noto of loyalty to the Empire, and expressed the hope that it might withstand the assault of any aggressor. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said New Zealanders were in part indebted to Queen Victoria for the nationhood they now-enjoyed. It was well to remember that unity and equality under democratic government had been the basis of British colonisation. Current European happenings awakened in the people a sense of pride in being members of an Empire that did not maltreat its vanquished foes in concentration camps or elsewhere, but endeavoured to assist their rehabilitation.

Policy of Preparedness "We should feel relieved that in the heart of the Empire a policy of preparedness has been adopted," Sir Ernest added. "Above every other factor it will cause power-intoxicated dictators to pause before they commit further acts of aggression calculated to plunge the world into its most destructive war. Let us always strive to preserve the integrity of our Empire, remembering that it rests not only on our own security, but on that of civilisation as we know it."

Representing the New Zealand Squadron, Captain W. E. Parry, of H.M.S. Achilles, said the present was a time of great anxiety and danger to the Empire, which was threatened by j?reat Powers which intended to expand by fair means or foul. The British might well ask themselves if they were ready in nil respects to meet the menacf

Help lor Britain Captain Parry referred to the policy of collective security adopted after thp Great War, adding that fortunately it was now realised that that policy was a grave mistake, although much leeway had to be made up in defences. Britain knew she could count on the sister nations of the British Commonwealth in a iust cause, and that with their help she could defeat the aggressor, not by trusting to collective security, but by' having faith in her own strength and in the manly and determined courage of her people. . The chairman of the central -committee of the Auckland Patriotic Societies, Mr. H. D. Gibson, said it was essential that the Empire should stand like a rock in the waves of turmoil. Never before had the other nations looked so steadfastly to the Empire for guidance. It was the Empire's duty to keep faith with the nations, and New Zealand's duty to keep its island race together as a fit nursery to provide service to the Empire and inspiration to its peoples. Wreaths Placed on Statues Applause followed the reading.of the Empire Day message sent by Viscount Bledisloe, president of the British Empire Day Association. The message has already been published,. Wreaths were laid on the statue by representatives of the Victoria League, the City Council, the. Auckland Harbour Board, the Royal Society of St. George, and veterans who fought under Queen Victoria. The ceremony opened with the sounding of the "Last Post" an4> closed with "The Reveille," followed by the singing of the National Anthem," led by a large section of school children. Another small ceremony was conducted by the Victoria League at the Maori War Memorial in Symonds Street. A wreath was placed on the statue by the president of- the league, Sirs. J. B. Madfarlane.

DEFENCE NEEDS WIDER VIEW ESSENTIAL RECENT DEVELOPMENTS THE NAVY IN WAR-TiME The need for placing greater emphasis on Empire defence rather than on home defence alone was stressed by speakers at the Empire Day dinner arranged for the patriotic societies "of Auckland by the Royal Empire Society, Auckland branch, ancHield atfthe Hotel Cargen last night. The subject was introduced by Mr. H. E. Barrowclough when proposing the' toast of "The Services." Referring to the Navy, he said that in the event of Kvar it must be realised that the ships on the New Zealand station probably would not be kept in the Dominion waters, but would be called elsewhere. A re-orientation of New Zealand views toward Empire defence w?s therefore necessary, "We must do more than post ourselves on our hackdoor and defend ourselves if attacked," he added. "We must recognise that the Navy must take its part in the whole scheme of Empire defence." i ln the past the Empire had been able to rely on the sure arm of the Navy, Mr.,- Barrowclough said. Recent commitments to Poland and Rumania, however, demanded another view. This made necessary the raising of citizen armies throughout the Empire, not only to guard the shores of constituent parts, but also to guard the Empire as a whole. ! In his response to the toast, Commodore J. W. Ilivctt-Carnoc, commanding the New Zealand Squadron, said that it was with the greatest diffidence that he made any suggestions but he would like to add that however important was the defence of New Zealand, above that should be the ideal to maintain the wonderful record of New Zealand's fighting forces and be ready to rally to the cause whioh was probably the greatest in the world today. the British Empire and all that it stood for.

THE EMPIRE BROAD OAST SPEECH BY THE ICING The Empire broadcast feature "Round the Empire," including a broadcast from Winnipeg by the King, will be heard in New Zealand to-day! The programme will be broadcast at 5.30 o'clock this morning, ' New Zealand time, and will conclude at 0.45 a.m. It will be relayed by station 2YA, Wellington. A recorded version will be rubroadcast at 4.30 p.m. to-day, New Zealand time, and wilj be relayed by the YA stations throughout New Zealand.