EMPIRE DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17324, 25 May 1918, Page 5

EMPIRE DAY

VICTORIA LEAGUE CELEBRATION. Empire Day was celebrated quietly in Duitedm yesterday—perhaps a trillo too quietly. iJio display ot bunting in Mie city was somewhat meagre, loading alio t<o tho rogrettablo conclusion that this day Is losing much of its sign llicunee in the eyes ol thu general public. However, the appropriate and dignified ceremony that took place 111 the Queen s Gardens in the morning, under the auspices of tlio Victoria ]»ujguo, doubtless did much to impress the significance of the occasion on the youtliful imagination, and if it did this it served an eminently useful purpose. Shortly before 10 o'clock small bodies of children, comprising the pupils of the Sixth Standard of the various city and suburban schools, headed by their drum and fife I>;ukls playing patriotic airs, commenced to assemble m the Queen's Gardens, and in a short, space of timo they were ranged around tho platform, which was occupied by a group of members of the Victoria League, mostly ladies. The Mayor. (Mr J. J. Clark) presided, and the military authorities wore represented by Lieutenant-colonel Nichols, Lieutenant-colonel Sleeman, 1.G.5., and Captain Bryan. There was a fair attendance of the public. Throughout tho proceedings the children, who were under the chargo of their teachers, conducted themselves in a most orderly manner, and their exoellent behaviour gave rise to much favourable comment. They were smart in their appearancc and movements, and their general bearing was an undoubted proof of tho benefits derived from the physical training which they now receive in tho schools. On the command of Lieutenant-colonel Strong, who was in chargo of the parade, the ceremony was opened by the saluting of the flag, and this was followed by the whole assemblage singing one verse of the National Anthem. A brief address was given iby the Mayor, who referred to the children before him as 'citizens _of the future," because, ho said, tho coming years would place upon thc-m tho responsibilities and the privileges of the dominion and the Empire to which they belonged. "We are gathered hero to-day," ho continued, " at the invitation of the Victoria League, and tho occasion is ono of those upon which we meet to celebrate the glory of our great Empire and to pledge ourselves to carry on its magnificent traditions until our nation occupies a stronger position than it does at tho present moment and possesses an even greater power for good than in the past.—(Applause.) Looking back upon the reign of Queen Victoria, we are brought face to face with one of tho greatest pages in our history, and wo see a period when islands and continents were added to our dominions and gave glory and willing allegiance to that sovereign whoso dignity and high principles have addod so much to the lustre of our Empire, and whoso memory we still hold in the most profound veneration. —(Applause.) We are fortunate to be living in these stirring times, when deeds of valour, never before excelled in our history, arc being done by men we all know—deeds that prove that tho strong heart of the British people still boats as vigorouslv as ever. It is fitting that wo should remember those men to-day, and it is fitting that we should remember the men who have died that we may live." A bugler then sounded " The Last Post" ns a tribute to the memory of the men who have sacrificed their lives in the present war. After a brief interval this was followed by three hearty cheers for the King. Immediately afterwards the whole parade moved out to Queen Victoria's statue, where a large floral wreath, the work of the members of the lensruo, was placed in position by Mrs Sim. The singincr of the National Anthem terminated tho nrorredings. which were marked bv great, simplicity, and were not unduly protracted.