EMPIRE DAY. STATESMEN’S MESSAGES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6218, 25 May 1907, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY.

STATESMEN’S MESSAGES

RESPONSIBILITIES OF BRITISH PEOPLES. THE PROCESS - OF EVOLUTION. LOFTY IDEALS. By Telegraph-Proas Association-Copyright (Received Mav 21, 10.19 p.m.) LONDON. May 24. The "Standard" publishes the following Empire Day message from Mr Dea"Empirc Day should arouse all British peoples to our'responsibilities, which are vast as our domains- Wo have a new Empire in the making, and it is we who are making it, though its evolution is proceeding slowly. "We have imperfectly realised the nature or growth of its greatness—emerging bv degrees from under the shadow of Empires old,, barbarous, or despotically aggressive. We are only now becoming able to see it in the light of its own ideals—human, ethical, and civilising. With these wo are supplanting the ancient lust of rule and substituting peaceful self-development in liberty under the law. "While the sceptre of Empire extends protection and justice to scores of millions of its subjects of other races, it induces with motherly affection and retains with brotherly loyalty true family, life amongst its own kin. "Their self-governments, which are still in course of adjustment. to local circumstances, and are continuing to readjust themselves to the grave necessities of modern times, will gmdually expand into a free, flexible, national organisation applicable to the Empire as a whole. "There are no precedents for this bold endeavour, and the processes require to be wisely chosen and well tested*, but by mutual aid, patience, forbearance, and strenuous efforts towards integration we may yet attain unity of influence commensurate to the height and breadth of achievement still open to us this Empire Day.” OTHER GOOD WISHES. Mr Donkin's message is followed in the "Standard” by a message from Dr Jameson (Premier of Capo Colony), who utters a warning to the British people against the danger of losing their heritage if they fail to unite Britain .and her growing oversea nationalities on an organised and durable basis. Finally, Sir Robert Bond offers his best wishes for a united Empire—united in bonds of sentiment and strengthened by material ties resting upon mutual concessions 'and mutual obligations. loyaiTcanada. TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND SCHOOL CHILDREN. (Received May 24. 11.58 p.m.) OTTAWA, May 24. Empire Day was observed in -the schools of Ontario yesterday. < Twentyfive thousand children participated in a procession at Toronto, and decorated the Queen Victoria monument in Queen's Park. PREPARATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. LONDON, May 24. Eight hundred thousand school children in London and five million throughout the United Kingdom will take part in the ceremony of saluting the flag to-day. GREAT DAY IN SYDNEY. DECORATIONS EVERYWHERE. PATRIOTIC SPEECHES AND MUSIC. DEMONSTRATION BY CHILDREN. SYDNEY. May 24. There was fine weather for Empire Day, and celebrations were general throughout the State, showing that the movement to honour the occasion is steadily gaining in popularity. The city and shipping wore gaily decorated, and badges were worn everywhere. Appropriate speeches were delivered, by leading citizens at various school gatherings. The most imposing of these was a combined demonstration by threo thousand five hundred children at Victoria Barracks. Patriotic addresses were delivered by Brigadier-General Gordon, Commandant of the New South. Wales Forces, and others. Another interesting ceremony was the handing over of a flagstaff .and flag presented to the city by the Women's branch of the Empire League, and erected on a reserve in Macquarie place—on the spot where the first proclamation of British possession was made. The Lord Mayor (Mr Allen Taylor) and Sir Francis Suttor (President of the. Legislative Council) delivered historic speeches. _ , , The Royal Exchange observed the occasion with the usual. enthusiasm, addresses permeated with the Empire spirit being made. , 'Throughout the day and night bands stationed at various parts of the city rendered patriotic selections. Great crowds viewed the illumination in the evening on the Queen's statue, some public buildings, and the warships. . Empire Day was also widely and enthusiasticaly observed throughout the other States.