A CANADIAN GIFT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20281, 16 April 1934, Page 4

A CANADIAN GIFT.

Prime Minister Presents Flag to Waitaki. HISTORIC MEMENTO. (Special to the “ Star.") OAMARU, April 14. I A visit was paid to the Waitaki Bovs’ | High School to-day by the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) and Mrs Forbes, when a Canadian flag entrusted to him . by the acting-Mayor of Toronto was presented by Mr Forbes. The flag had been hung on the cenotaph in Toronto, and was given to the Waitaki Bovs’ High School to be placed in its Hall of Memories. Dr A. Douglas (chairman of the Waitaki High Schools Board of Governors) presided and associated with him were Mrs Douglas, the rector (Mr F. Milner), Mr J. A. Macpherson, M.P., and Mrs Macpherson, the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs M. F. Cooney), Mr and Mrs A. M’lnnes, Miss J. B. Wilson (principal of the Girls’ School), Mr and Mrs G. Livingstone, Mr W. Kinder, Major H. S. Orbell and members of the teaching staff. Mr G. E. Wilkinson played an organ solo and a hymn was sung by the boys. Master Colin Wheeler then presented Mrs Forbes with a beautiful bouquet. In extending a hearty welcome to Mr and Mrs Forbes, Dr Douglas said that the Prime Minister was held in high esteem in North Otago, and this esteem had grown during the past few years, for Mr Forbes had shown firmness and stability. This imperturbability and equanimity were required and admired in a leader in difficult times. Effects of Isolation. Mr Forbes said his visit to the school was to fulfil a task entrusted to him by the acting-Mayor of Toronto. When he received the flag he regarded it as a very fine gesture on behalf of Canada in taking the flag from its cenotaph in T oronto. There was nothing more sacred in all the British countries than their cenotaphs. Mr Forbes said that Mr Milner had done valuable work in collecting these mementoes from various parts of the Empire. New Zealand suffered from isolation, and the people were inclined to be narrow in their outlook, and it was only when they came face to face with emblems from other parts of the Empire that they realised that they were part of a great Empire. The inscription on the flag is: “Presented by the Corporation of the City of Toronto, Canada.” Dr Douglas accepted the flag on behalf of the school.