YOUNG BRITONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1921, Page 4

YOUNG BRITONS.

ADDRESS TO SCHOOL BOYS. SIR BASSETT EDWARDS' ADVICE. , An interesting address to boys was given by Sir Bassett Edwards, the wellknown ex-Judge,, at the prize-giving ceremony at the New Plymouth Boys’ High School last night. Sir Bassett Edwards referred to the boys as “young Britons,” and really the only important element in the gathering.” He said .he was pleased to be present, especially as on a former occasion when he had promised, to attend a similar function he was unable to do so owing to his duties in the Supreme Court circuit. He was particularly pleased to be in New .-Plymouth, as he did not think he luud/ ever been in a small town where tKe-buildings were so neat and clean and the gardens well kept, and where there was such a general appearnce throughout of health and contentment. They were in a very fine gathering that night, principally of young saplings, which it was hoped would grow up into hearts of oak ready to defend their fatherland.

“I call them Britons,” said the speaker, “because none of our descendants should ever forget that we are Britons, and belong to the greatest Empire that the world has ever seen and is ever likely to see. The Empire has gone through the most terrible war in history and is now standing in debt and trouble, but she has surmounted her difficulties before and will overcome them again.” Sir Bassett said war would come again no doubt, and it appeared that the enemies of the Empire were preparing for another struggle. It might be that ntany of the lads of the present day would yet have to buckle on their armor and help to defend the great Empire to which we in New Zealand were a very insignificant__ijnit. If the time came he had no doubt they would be true to their country and to their race, as their fathers and elder brothers had been in the Great War.

“Well, boys, this is your day,” continued Sir Bassett. “No doubt you have a very happy time in such beautiful surroundings. Some people, unfortunately, have no eye for beauty, but I hope you have one.” To those who had not done their best he urged that they should try and do better next year. This was their great training ground, and upon their industry and the character which they formed in the school would depend the whole of their future, and the future was all open to them. Those who were more deeply inclined to learning could- take a course which would eventually fit them to take the highest station in the land. Industry and determination were essential in pursuing studies, but they might yet see one of the boys present adorning, the Bench or become a bishop (should his fancy lead him in that direction). Concluding, Sir Bassett said he hoped the boys had worked in the past and had played their games with equal pleasure, and that their determination always would be to play , the game.