EMPIRE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 11

EMPIRE DAY

LOCAL OBSERVANCE

MESSAGES EXCHANGED

A NATION UNITED

Today, the thirty-eighth observance of Empire Day, was marked in Wellington by a gathering at the statue of Queen Victoria in Kent Terrace when wreaths were placed by the Royal Empire Society and the Victoria League. The wreath from the Royal Empire Society was laid by Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, and that from the Victoria League by Mrs. Doctor.

Mr. Tripp apologised for the absence of Sir Harry Batterbee and referred to the messages that had been exchanged between New Zealand and those interested in Empire Day overseas. Lord Bledisloe's message was published, he said, and there was no need for him to read it. He had sent a message to the Royal Empire Society in London stating, "The Empire Day (Wellington branch) pays homage to their Majesties' high courage, which reflects itself in all the citizens of the Empire. The Empire united means victory."

Mr. Tripp then read the following message from Sir Frederick Sykes, M.P., chairman of the Royal Empire Society:—

"The chairman and council of the Royal Empire Society send you their most cordial greetings and good wishes for Empire Day. Since last Empire Day the world scene has changed almost beyond recognition.' Many States have fallen and now lie prostrate at the mercy of the Nazi, invader. Great Britain, battered but undaunted, has alone withstood the fury of the first attack.

I "The Empire, far from being destroyed, is being recreated. There has been nothing more inspiring in the history of the world than the unity of purpose and action of the British Commonwealth of Nations from the greatest Dominion and India to the smallest island colony. In every branch of the services, on the seas, on every battlefield, in the skies, and on every home front are to be found the British peoples overseas. MIGHT HAS BEEN FELT. "From the chill waters of the Atlantic to the burning sands of Libya and Somaliland, they have made their might felt and their name renowned in history. Never through the long centuries has there been greater cause for pride. Never has the true metal shone more brightly. ''The British Empire establishes a community of ideals and interests that can be promoted in free and friendly association by hundreds of millions lof diverse peoples. It aims also to ensure the security of small nations from the recurrent fear of aggression. Our defeat would make certain the relapse of the human race into an appalling and deliberate barbarism. The Empire can be made the greatest instrument of civilisation in the world, and the most varied but united of free . human associations.

"Here is the faith and hope which we all share arid are fighting for. It may yet be long before the end. But we go forward with a growing confidence that victory is assured."

At 2.15 p.m. a matinee concert was presented by the younger members of the Victoria League in the lecture hall of the Public Library. The Englishspeaking Union, together with the British American Co-operative Movement, the English Folk Association, and the Royal Empire Society, will celebrate the day in the English-speak-ing Union's reception rooms tonight. The High Commissioner for Canada, Dr. W. A. Riddell, will speak on "Can-adian-American Relations," and there will be a musical programme.

(Lord Bledisloe's message appears on page 7.)