ALL-FOR-EMPIRE LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2761, 3 May 1916, Page 6

ALL-FOR-EMPIRE LEAGUE

j> EMPIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS. At the Anzac Day meeting, held at the Commercial Travellers' Club, the Prime Minister /Hon. W. F. Massey) expressed the hope that the All-fpr-Em-pire League established by the- commercial travellers of New Zealand would bo tho means of convincing the people of tho necessity of shutting out enemy trade. In expressing cordial approval of its objects, Mr. Massey wished the league every success. Later in the proceedings ,Mr.- Phelps, a member of the committee of the league, intimated that it would shortly bo heard of in public. Since the initial meeting, at which an intorim committee was set up, not i great deal has been heard of the doings of the All-for-Empiro League in Wellington. At the same timo the committee has not been idle. Some good spade ; work has been accomplished in tho interval, preparatory to laying the. foundations of the league, and as a result the committee are assured of the unpport of many of our leading public men, letters indicating approval of the objects of tho league having been received from (amongst others) the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph .Ward, the Hons. James Allen, G. \V. Russell, W. H. Ferries, Dr. M'Nab, and A. L. .Herdman, and many, members of both branches of tho Legislature. Both tho local Chambers' of Commcrco have intimated their sympathy with the league objective, and the executive of tho Associated Chambers of Commerce has further, promised to lend tho movement all the assistance possible. .

-The objects of the league are conciseV set forth .on the cards that are now in. active use by the .travellers; for.the enrolment of members, and which specify that the AU-for-Empire League stands "for defence and unity and the elimination of the enemy element from tho British Empire." In order that the public may ho made, better acquainted with its working, the committee, at a meeting, last evening, formula ted .plans for arranging demonstrations in connection with the public launching of the league on' Empire Day,'which this year is to he celebrated on tho King's Birthday,: (Saturday,, June 3). Through the courtesy of' the' Mayor, the Tom, Hall has been secured as the league's rallying centre during the day, and afternoon and evening gatherings, taking the form of "recruiting rallies," are to be held, in which every man, woman, and child in Wellington is to be invited to take part, and thus do his or hex "bit" to help on the Empire's cause. His Worship the Mayor hp.s been asked to preside, and will in all probability tako tho chair at both gatherings. The co-operation of tho educational authorities is being sought in connection with the movement, and the plans already afoot are likely to enlist the active sympathy of both the teachers and children | on behalf of the objects the league has in hand. ■ ': ■ ' \

Other arrangements which are being made will aim at securing the holding of an "All British" or "All Empire'' Week in connection with the movement, the Saturday's'demonstrations being intended to mark the climax of an interesting week. The committee proposes to co-onorate with the Rod Cress Socity, which, it has already been stated intends making a special effort to obtain funds for its work on Empjre Day, and ivill endeavour to supplement the worlc' of the society's helnors in some special way. For these functions interesting programmes are being arranged, the narticulars of which will ho announced later, and the travellers, with their usual cuergv and enterprise, are unsparing for a big effort to capture the public, with their patriotic propaganda in tho' cause of the Empire.