EMPIRE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5598, 26 May 1905, Page 5

EMPIRE DAY

CABLE NEWS.

UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. —BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —COPYRIGHT.

A WAVE OF PATRIOTISM. CONSOLIDATION OF THE EMPIRE. BRITAIN AGAINST THE WORLD. (Received May 25, 10.38 p.m.) LONDON, May 25. Tho celebrations were far ’more extensive tli.au on former occasions. There was a plentiful display of flags on tho London Mansion House and the Colonial Institute, also in most of the provincial towns and villages. - A leading feature in the celebrations was tho delivery of patriotic addresses in six thousand schools, followed by a holiday. Tho King witnessed a sham fight at Frensham.

Tho 'Earl of Meath addressed a crowded meeting of tho Children’s Aid Society at Exeter Hall, where a choir of four hundred children sang patriotic songs, including “Empire Day” song and “The Flag of Britain.” Tho Earl of Meath telegraphed a message of homage from tho meeting to King Edward, and received a gracious reply. Tho Earl read telegrams from the Premiers and Governors of Ottawa, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Natal. Mauritius, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Bermuda, Capetown, Gibraltar, and elsewhere. Many provincial Lord Mayors, Mayors, aad numerous public bodies sent felicitations. The Earl of Meath stated that tho chain of celebration around the earth’s surface was practically complete so far as Crown and autonomous colonies were concerned. India was not yet officially represented, though individual celebrations had taken place. The promoters of tho movement, lie explained, , did not sympathise with Jingoism or State aggrandisement. The best step towards the world’s peace' was to consolidate the Empire, so that no Power dare attack it. Tho promoters hoped to breathe into the souls of Britishers a spirit of patriotism more powerful for noble deeds than even the Japanese Bushido. Tho Duke of Argyll and tho Duke of Marlborough spoke at a dinner of tho Canadian Society. Mr Lyttelton and Lord Strathcona spoke at the Canada Club dinner. Lord Roberts, in reviewing the Surrey Riflemen at Guildford in connection with the celebrations, hoped the Government would soon insist upon the pupils at every school being taught to use the rifle. He advocated the settingup of rifle clubs in every town, village, and hamlet. The London Fresh Air Fund sent thousands of children on holiday to Greenwich Park. The Earl of Meath sent a message explaining the meaning of Empire Day. Lord Selborne, High Commissioner of South Africa, attended the trooping of the colours at Victoria, Natal, Four thousand soldiers were present. .