EMPIRE DAY AND THE EMPIRE SPIRIT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12455, 25 May 1926, Page 6

EMPIRE DAY AND THE EMPIRE SPIRIT

Empire Day is not an abstraction to be left in the limbo of things forgotten. It represents the Empire spirit, without which the Empire would itself become, like all the empires before it, a historical abstraction representing nothing so much as a “Decline and Fall.” To keep the Empire alive there must be anniversary words and annual deeds—the former remindful of the great deeds by which the Empire was established, the latter the active forces exerted for its maintenance. True to this sentiment-, several members of the London Press asked the Dominion Prime Minister to send them a few pertinent words for publication in their columns in appeal of the great event. In reply, our Prime Minister sent the right words of appreciation. He preserved continuity with a reference to his predecessor’s honouring of the occasion, and he added words of his own, stressing loyalty to the Empire, and a sketch of the policy qf action by which he intends to get his country to practically maintain the Imperial tradition. In this Mr Coates has the whole Dominion with him. As their representative who hias risen to the occasion on their behalf, he has their best thanks and full endorsement, of course. The policy of action he announces finds them behind him. There may be difference about details. But about the general purpose, which is to make the Dominion a better place for all to dwell in who are loyal to the Empire spirit, there can be but one opinion. This applies, too, to the appeal Mr Coates has added to all our fellow-subjects of the Empire. The day has been well chosen. It is the birthday, so often celebrated with honours, of Oueen Victoria. She was the first to bear, as Empress, the Imperial title of the British Empire. Her court was a bright star reflecting righteousness and public spirit. Her spirit was the spirit of her great predecessor Queen, who, in times we all now call “spacious,” started the great development which, through the courage and public spirit of the British race, attained to Imperial dimension. After that attainment her policy as Queen followed closely the grand Elizabethan lines, so far as was possible to her, within the constitutional limits she understood so well and did so much to popularise. It was the inspiration of her precept and example that gave her son, Edward VII., his prestige as peacemaker, and to-day inspires her grandson, George V., to the admirable performance of nis duties, so strong in maintaining freedom for his people and safeguarding righteously the peace of the world.