The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1919. THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 3 June 1919, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. DAILY EVENING TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1919. THE DAY WE CELEBRATE.

Owing to the close proximity of Empire Day and the anniversary of the King’s Birthday, the two anniversaries are being observed together, an eminently sensible arrangement, whether we call it Empire Day or the King’s Birthday. The name Empire Day was given to the anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria, but it might prove more convenient to observe it permanently on the birthday of the reigning monarch. King George may he said to have done at least as much for the Empire as either of his immediate predecessors, for during his reign it has passed through a most critical period from which it promises to emerge more powerful than ever. It is sometimes said that had King Edward been alive in 1914 the war would not have occurred. Possibly it might have been deferred a little longer, but it had to come, and events have shown that if Germany had waited another year or two her chances of victory would have been greater. King George used all the influence he properly could to avert war, aud when it’hecame inevitable he did not hesitate to accept the advice of, his responsible Ministers. No personal considerations weighed with him against the duty he owed to his people. From that day to this he has pursued a course which has immensely strengthened the bonds uniting the Crown and the people. Leaving the conduct of the war to his Ministers, he devoted his own energies to patriotic work, with the least possible ostentation going about among the people, cheering and encouraging them by his presence, condoling with bereaved parents, visiting the wounded men in the hospitals, helping in the organisation of various patriotic and charitable movements, inspiring by his visits! the workers in the munition factories, shipyards, and such,,places, inspecting the training camps, farewelling departing soldiers and welcoming returned ones, decorating those who had by their conspicuous service earned decorations, and generally acting the part of father of his people. In all this •he has been most faithfully seconded by Queen Mary, who has personally made the comfort of the wounded and of the bereaved mothers, wives, and children her special care. Their Majesties, too, set a fine example in bidding their elder sons take their places in the fighting forces. They have spared neither themselves nor those dearest to them, and it is safe to say that by their conduct throughout they have assisted greatly in consolidating the Empire. They have seen many contemporary monarchs deposed, many thrones overthrown, while fireir own position has been made more secure than ever. One need scarcely hesitate to say that the Empire has passed through the most critical time in its history, and that it is emerging therefrom unshaken largely because King George has “played the. game” so admirably. There is a spirit abroad in the world which would overthrow, if it could, constituted authority of any kind, especially an authority savouring of Imperialism. That spirit exists no doubt to some extent in our own Empire, in 'England itself, hut it is helpless in

the face of the devotion of the

masses of the people to King George, a devotion which is as personal to him as it is to what he represents. He trusts his people and they trust him. While he occupies the throne the forces of Bolshevism, which have wrecked Russia and have, threatened the German Empire with ruin, will make no headway in England. Our Empire has a constitution superior in. some respects to that of the United States, and while it- has at its head a man like King George there need be no fear of its disintegration. And it augurs well for the fhture that he is training his sons to follow in his footsteps, to be the servants as well as the rulers of the people. The Prince of Wales, by his unassuming conduct, especially among the soldiers, during the last four years, is paving the way to an occupancy of hie father’s position, at a date which all hope may be far distant, which will still more firmly bind the Empire together in its allegiance to the throne.