EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18563, 25 May 1922, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS

OVERSEAS CLUB GATHERING. Empire Day was celebrated by the Overseas Club last evening in Burns Hall, the building being crowded. The chair was occupied by Mr H. L. Tapley, president of the club. During the evening the Knikorai Band, under the conductor, Mr H. Davie, played several selections, amongst them being “Trooping the Colours,” and the Returned Soldiers’ Choir, under the direction of Mr W. Paget Gale, contributed as part songs a fantasia on British, airs, “Who Sails with Drake.” the “Laughing Chorus,” and “Land of Hope and Glory.” Mjss Irene Horniblow sang “God Defend New Zealand,” the audience joining in. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem, and at a later stage there was a presentation of long-service Scout medals.

The Chairman said that the function had been organised by the Overseas_ Club for the purpose of celebrating Empire Day—a day that had been set apart throughout the British Empire ever since the death of Queen'Victoria. Continuing, he said that the British Empire had never stood on a more solid basis nor was more united than it was at the present time. He thought that they could feel proud of the fact that the British Empire had led the way in upholding civilisation all these years, and was to-day leading the world in a sincere desire to bring about universal peace. Addressing the Boy Scouts, who were preeent, he said May 24 had been in the memory 'of older persons for many years, and when Queen Victoria had died it was considered wise A-o commemorate her birthday by bringing into existence Empire Day, and that was how they came to be holding the function that evening. The British Empire had been very fortunate in its sovereigns. Queen Victoria had been succeeded by her son King Edward, and now we had King George—a worthy son of a worthy father. A request had been made to present two long-service Scout medals, the one to go to the widow of the late Rev. A. Gray, who had been closely identified with the Scout movement, and the other to Scoutmaster Sutherland. The Chairman then made the presentatl(The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, Minister of Internal Affairs, who was received with loud applause on rising to speak on the subject of “ New Zealand in the World s Politics,” remarked that he did not get as much time as he would like for thinking out questions such as this. The fact that they had attended in such large numbers justified him in. believing that the people in Australia were right when they said that the people of Now Zealand had a better and sounder interest in the British Empire than other places. In connection with New Zealand taking special interest in naval matters, the reason was probably because she was so isolated, and in greater danger than other parts tef the Empire. She was in ,a remote comer of the Pacific, and no doubt felt vulnerable. Compared with Canada, it could be understood that the people of New Zealand were more sensitive and better able to realise their danger. He went on to refer to problems that had arisen in South Africa, and Australia from which New Zealand was free, and said that in consequence New Zealand was better able to devote attention to wider issues than other self-governing dominions. He had on previous occasions spoken to them about mandated territories in the Pacific, and our duty to the Empire which he wanted to develop a little wider that evening.- During the last 12 months we had been represented at four separate conferences : the Imperial Conference, the Geneva. Conference, the Washington Conference, and the Genoa Conference. That fact alone demonstrated how deeply wo had become involved in the world of politics, and it was obvious that we should seek to under stand the issues at stake. So far as Europe was concerned, the position was extremely intricate, and he believed that it was our duty to try and follow and understand the issues there. He did *ict think that citizens of a self-governing dominion had a right to assume the attitude that because they were so distant, and the issues~:so intricate, it was impossible for them to grasp the issues at stake. Another attitude taken up was that in matters so difficult and intricate no one' excepting those specially acquainted with the difficulties could be expected to form a sound conclusion regarding them, and people were content to allow them to be settled by expert advice. It had to be remembered that we were deeply interested in these questions if only from merely a mercenary point. It was of importance to us that a settlement of these great ’ issues should be made. If it was not possible for us to follow the negotiations in Europe, might it not be possible for us to seek to understand what had taken place at some of the conferences? Mr Stewart then proceeded to speak of the Imperial and Washington Conferences, and said the former, which met last year, was of singular importance, and he would quote froni a speech by Lord Curzon. The quotation was as follows: —“During the last seven years, since the war began, I have • realised in a manner which I should have deemed incredible before the strength, the dignity, and the independence enjoyed by those constitutent elements of our Empire. In domestic affairs they are practically independent. In Imperial affairs their Ministers attend our councils, they are kept informed of our policy, they see all the important papers. The day-by-day conduct of the foreign affairs of the Empire is, of course, in the hands of the Foreign Office; that is determined by conditions of geography and convenience. But from time to time those Ministers come here to review the whole field, and if any substantial change or departure is contemplated, either in their relations or in Imperial affairs, jt is only by consent of the Imperial Conference, which has insensibly developed into a sort of Imperial Cabinet, that the thing can be done. These are the conditions of peace. In war time these Ministers take their sestts , at the council table; they become Cabinet Ministers; they, are responsible for the great decisions that regulate the conduct of the war; they help to direct the war policy of the Empire, to determine the movement of troops, the strategy of campaigns, and sj forth. When war is concluded, they attend the meetings of the Supreme Council, wherever they are held; they sign the peace treaties; they are in a position of absolute equality with Great Britain; they are incorporated in the League of Nations, and they* enjoy an independent status there ’ Continuing, the speaker said nothing could more clearly state the extraordinary posi-tion-tbe dominions had come to through the

recent war. They had bought their citizenship at a great price, and the British authorities had readily recognised it, and had said: If you are bearing the burden and difficulties of the Empire it is right and proper that you should be consulted on all important decisions. Mr Stewart then quoted Mr Lloyd George as follows: ‘‘The position of the dominions in reference to external affairs has been completely revolutionised in the course of the last four years. . . . The dominions, since the war, have been given equal rights with Great Britain in (ho control of the foreign policy of the Empire. That was won by the aid they gave us in the great war. The sole control of Britain over foreign policy is now vested in the Empire as a whole. . . . The advantage to us is that joint control means joint responsibility, and when tile burden of Empire has become so vast it Is well that wo should have the shoulders of those young giants under the burden to help us along. It restrains rash Ministers and it will stimulate timorous ones.” Resuming his remarks. Mr Stewart said that before the Washington Conference could get far it was overshadowed by the war conference. 'There were, however, some important questions dealt with at it, and one was as to bringing America and Great Britain together so as- to maintain the peace of the world. Great Britain and the dominions realised that unless the States would help the problem would be difficult, and that the burden of increasing armaments would be such as .would make one shudder. There had also been a most interesting discussion on the Anglo-Japancse Treaty, and nothing was more interesting than to road the Minister’s opinion at the conference. Other matters touched upon by the speaker were the Five-Power Treaty, which provided for the retention of certain capital ships being retained by the Powers in a certain ratio; the FourPower Treaty, in which parties pledged themselves to accept mediation in case of a - dispute (regarding any. of theirPacific possessions, and to take concerted action in case of any aggresssion mode by an outside Power, and other matters. In conclusion Mr Stewart said the people of New Zealand could only successfully fulfil her destiny under the great prestige of the British Empire—(loud applause—terminating with the singing of ■‘‘For He’s n Jolly Good Fellow”). The Mayor (Mr J. S. Douglas) moved the following motion: —"That this large meeting of members and friends of the Dunedin branch of the Overseas Club assembled on Empire Day desire to assure His Majesty of continued loyalty to the Throne and Empire. We trust that the present differences and difficulties with which his Majesty and his Advisers are confronted will soon be dispelled. In the meantime we rejoice to know that the British Empire stands firm and fast to its principles of right and justice, and we. her sons, stand loyal and true to her. That w-e respectfully request his Excellency the Governor-General to forward to his Majesty a copy of this resolution.” The motion was seconded bv Mr J. T. Paul and carried unanimously, and the meeting ended with a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker and nerformers being moved by Mr J. H. Walker and carried by acclamation ;■