EMPIRE DAY MOVEMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13894, 4 May 1907, Page 141

EMPIRE DAY MOVEMENT.

Slß,—May I bo permitted, through jour columns, to draw the attention of your readers 10 the near approach of May, and to express a hope that no time may be lest by them in making due arrangements for a proper observation this year of Empire Day cn May 24.

It mav interest them to know that last year " Empire Day " and " Victoria Dav " in Canada were observed by .over eight million loyal subtests throughout the dominions of the King-Emperor. It is to be hoped that many more on 24th May next, will take part in celebrations which cannot, fail to lead to tho growth of the frieudliest feelings between British subjects throughout the world, of increased lovalty 'o thoir common Sovereign, and ultimately to ;i closer union between all portions of his vast Empire.

De.sirable as is the duo. celebration of "Empire Day," it is well lo remember that its outward observance is of email value when compared with the overwhelming imporlarino of the inner spirit of the movement. This inner spirit may be described as the subordination of selfish or class interests to (hose of the State and of the community, and tho systematic imbuing of iho minds of ail British subject's, (specially of the young, with a. eense of the gravity of their civic and Imperial responsibilities, ami with a burning desire to perform manfully and self-sacrificingly the duties which Ho nearest to them, and which thov owe to their fellows and the State.

That such consecration of individual powers for the general pood is not yet universal can lmrdlv bo conlrovortcd—that it. ever will be so is extremely doubtful,—• hut no harm, hut only ccod, can arise from a movement to stimulate a stronger £en«? of patriotic duty anion??! Jlrit'sh subjects, with a view not to the injnrv of others, but to the increased happiness of the 400 millions who owe allegiance to King Edward VTI, and, through them, to that of tho rest of Mm human race.

The mout effective way of bringing the above ideas fo a practical solution is naturally (o be found by influencing the rising generation throughout the schools of the Empire, and, with this view, it is of the greatest importance that the assistance of nil educational authorities shall l>o evoked, and tho sympathies of teachers throughout the King's dominions Ik l aroused, in support of this groat national movement. ( It is hoped that the moral keynote of a high ideal of Imperial and civic duty will bo fit,ruck by tho clergy of the Umpire of all denominations in their sermons and addresses on Sunday, May 19, so as to prepare their congregations for the due apprcc.iathn of the inner meaning of the celebration of Mav 2-\.

Iho promoters of tho Empire Dav movement also Trust that, where possible, Mayors and municipal authorities will make the demonstrations cn .May 24 a matter of civic concern.

Should further information he desired, leaflets explanatory of the aim? and objects of the movement, including an " Empire Dav Caleellism'' and "Address to Children," and a " Children s Song." by Rudyard Kipling. con be obtained from the secretary of the " Empire Dav Movement,'' at 83 Lancaster Gate, London, \Y.—I am, etc..

Meatii. 83 Lancaster Gate. London, Vi., March 10.