EMPIRE DAY MESSAGES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2779, 25 May 1916, Page 5

EMPIRE DAY MESSAGES

GREETINGS FROM THE WESTERN FRONT ; 1 Yesterday, Empire Day, was the anniversary of the birth, of her late .Majesty Queen Victoria. Since her demise the anniversary has been perpetuated as a day of Imperial celebration. In New Zealand, by Gazette notice published in 1912, the celebrations previously held on the calendar date were merged in-the birthday anniversary celebrations in. honour of the reigning sovereign, King George V, which falls on June 3. In token of the auspicious .date, and of tlio tremendous events jn Europe, tho \British Commander-in-Chief in France (General Sir Douglaa Haig) and General Joffre, the French Generalissimo each sent greetings to His Excellency . the Governor (the Earl of Liverpool) yesterday, in, the following terms:— From Sir Douglas,Haig:— "All ranks u'nder my command in Franco join with .me in greetings on Ernpiro Day to our fellow subjects throughout His Majesty's Dominions. ..Hepresentativeof every part of those Dominions, bound together not onlj;, by ties of blood, but by similarity of jdaals and loyalty to one Crown and one Hag, our armies are united heart and soul in this great fight for freedom and justice, the old watch-words of our race. . Confident jrf ourselves, in the ungrudging help and support of . our kin throughout the world, and in our gallant Allies, we look forward' ■to certain victory." . v . ■ From General Joffre:— "On tho occasion of'.Empire Day it . is my good fortune to express to you tho sentiments of high esteem and of cordial camaraderie which the French armies feel for the valiant troops of India, of the Dominions, and or the colonies, whose fine conduct and whose . brilliant feats of arms 'on: every, field of battle where they have fought they so admire, i desire that you will transmit these sentiments to ; the : officers, noncommissioned - officers, and soldiers of India, of the Dominions, and of the :'colonies: with whom the French troops are fortunate enough to bo fighting side by side for . the same ideal." His Excellency has sent the following teply, addressed to Sir Douglas Haig":— .; "New Zealand, through me, thanks you for ,your inspiring message. The Dominion is proud that her ,< sons should be associated with all the gallant troops under your command, and eagerly watches all your doings. Please convey to General Joffre the - grateful thanks of the people of these islands for his kindly message which : lie has sent through you. Please tell him that all New Zealanders deem it a great honour to be associated with the heroic French armies ip the / struggle to uphold everything which both nations hold

Tho above messages were read in tha House last evening, by the.Prime Minister, to tho accompaniment of applause, •When'he had finished the recitation, Mr, Massey added: "I have little to add to what lias been so loyaly expressed by His Excellency :the Governor. This is the day which is •generally ■; called Empire Day. We have •not celebrated it. with pomp and cere-' .mony, but we have celebrated it by the 'introduction of legislation which, I venture to say, will make it absolutely certain that this Dominion of ours will continue to do its full share: in. the. great struggle in which the Empire is engaged light through to the end. " As : Sir Doug■las Haig has said, we have, confidence in each other as British citizens; we have :confidence in our soldiers, whether they /•be what are called Imperial soldiers or igoldiers from the overseas Dominions; we shave confidence in our Allies with whom, 'we are associated. We are proud fo be associated with General Joilre and , tho gallant sons of France in ..the great struggle through which we are passing, and'out'of which must come victory for ■ Great Britain and her,. Allies." - / THE DAY IN AUSTRALIA! V', (Bee. May 24; 11.20 p.m.) • ; Sydney, May 24. 1 The weaUier was showery for Empire (Day. There was a good display of granting. . '