EMPIRE DAY

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3471, 26 May 1934, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY

CEREMONY AT LOCAL DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

CAPTAIN OLIPH'ANT’S ADDRESS,

In furtherance of the policy of bringing more prominently under the notice of the young people of New Zealand, by means of addresses on topics of Empire interest, a ceremony was held at Te Awamutu District High School on Thursday afternoon, when all the scholars were assembled to salute the flag and hear an address by Captain J. Oliphant, M'.C.

Captain Oliphant spoke interestingly on the meaning of Empire Day and love of country. He said: “ Those of us who lived in the reign of Queen Victoria will remember with a tip' ll the annual celebration of her birthday on 24th May every year. As little boys and girls we used to sing and cheer, ‘ Hip, hip, hooray, the 24th of May, the Queen’s birthday ! ’ and listen to the firing of salutes and see the parades of soldiers and sailors. An organisation known throughout New Zealand as the Victoria League was formed by the citizens of Auckland to keep alive the spirit of our national sentiment towards the Homeland, and 24th May was chosen as a day of national rememberance. It was called Empire Day. The address to-day is to remind you of all that the Empire means, and to strengthen the bonds of union between ourselves and the other parts of the British Empire. Queen Victoria's reign was a wonderful period in the history of the Empire. During those sixty peaceful years the foundations of the Empire were laid in many a sunny clime, until there grew into healthy being a chain of possessions upon which the sun never set. You know how the sun rises every morning to shine over New Zealand, and whilst you are enjoying it s warmth at about the time you are off to school the sun is beginning to arouse the boys and girls in the great land of Australia, and that before the sun is out of sight from that land the light is flooding the continents of Africa and Asm, and in Ceylon and India children whose homelands form another ink in the great chain of Empire are awake and moving about their daily tasks, happy in the knowledge that their King and Emperor protects them from all dangers; and so rolls on the sun until in his flight he awakens the British Isles to busy life, and King George himself feels the genial warmth of the sun which but a few hours before had shone upon you in New Zealand. Then comes Canada, and ourseves once more, so that now we can understand the truth of the saying that ‘upon the British Empire the sun doth never set.’ You children have your own small treasures and possessions you value and care for—your dolls, your toys, your bicycles, and your pets. It is right that you should realise that you 1 have still greater and more valuable posses-, sions to come into your hands in later life, for safe keeping. I refer to those wonderful possessions, the envy of all other races on this earth, the chain of our Empire possessions, which added together make one-fifth of the earth’s surface.

“ We, the grown-up people of today, the statesmen and leaders of the British race, the grown-up soldiers and sailors, your toiling mothers and fathers, are guarding and keeping those possessions against the time when you will grasp the torch of truth and freedom and the sword of defence, the tools of industry, from our tiring fingers, and will during your days of strength and vigour keep and maintain the great trust for those who will yet come after you. Do you ever stop and wonder who has provided for you the comfortable home, the wide, dry streets and roads, the schools, play-grounds, swimmingbaths, and the good and careful teachers, and the safety to yourselves and your parents from the attacks of robbers and enemies ? All these things, and the other privileges we enjoy, of self-government, freedom of speech and personal liberty, have bec-r; made possible and maintained by the might, justice, and power of our Empire. Our trade routes and shores are protected by the British Navy and Air Forces, and our land frontiers are garrisoned and guarded night and day by the Army.

“ When we stand and uncover our heads at the strains of ‘ God Save the King ’ we are acknowledging our loyalty to the person of His Majesty, and at the same time giving public recognition and approval of our Constitution and all that stands behind the British system of self-govern-ment. You are indeed happy and lucky children. Some day you will be big and will leave school and go out into the world as farmers, business men, or nurses, and fill all the trades and callings which have to be kept supplied with workers, to make this country prosperous. Then you will know the burden which each must help to carry, and it is then that you will realise the meaning of your school motto: ‘ Kia Kaha ’ —(Be Strong). This fessage I leave with you: Honour the King and the Flag. Be obedient to your parents and teachers. Do every task set you with all 'your might, and make a lot of fuss over little details of your sums and your spelling; play your games fairly, and help those who are weaker than you are; and then you will just quite naturally grow from good, painstaking boys and girls into strong and industrious men and women and good citizens of our Empire, fit and able to take over the government of this fair land of New Zealand, and to keep this Dominion what she is to-day—a bright and strong link in the great chain of Empire.” Captain Oliphant was warmly applauded for his address, ar.d at the invitation of the headmaster, Mr A. J. Shepherd, the children accoi-ded him a special vote of thanks and appreciation by acclamation.