The Hastings Standard Published Daily MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1897. "GOD BLESS OUR QUEEN."

Hastings Standard, Issue 353, 21 June 1897, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1897. "GOD BLESS OUR QUEEN."

For sixty years a Queen, and Queen of the greatest Empire that the world has ever known, and probably will ever know : such is the distinction of the augustj Lady whose record as a Sovereign, which exceeds in point of time and continuity any of her predecessors on the British throne, the British Empire will to-morrow celebrate. Wherever a lusty Briton is to be found, be it in the deserts of Africa or in the snows of Greenland, a lusty cheer for our Sovereign Lady the Queen will ba the least among his acts to-morrow, to indicate his loyalty and to proclaim his patriotism. Which of us, in this far off British colony can adequately portray the gorgeous spectacle, the magnificent pageant, which will to-morrow grace the main streets of the great metropolis ? And how is it possible to focus in words the enthusiasm, the patriotism, the loyalty that will be exhibited by the millions of human atoms who will be privileged to witness the great pageant ? It is beyond speculation. It is, however, no exaggeration to say that the cheers of to-morrow will be a tribute to Her Majesty herself. She is but the figure-head of the British constitution, and even in that position, difficult as it has been, the Queen has done her duty in a spirit of true loyalty to her subjects. The Queen has in many ways endeared herself to her people, and this perhaps is due to her true womanly character. Though Queen of England she has had to bear her share of the troubles and sorrows that fall to the lot of us all. Her domestic bereavements have been keenly felt by the people, and the nobility with which she has borne her sorrow has been the theme of many writers. The central figure of tomorrow's great London pageant has been described in truly poetical language by a young journalist of Wellington, whose " Song of Empire" is said to be a gem. Mr Arthur Adams's graceful lines read— Robed in the purple of her widowed years, Her crown the silver circlet of her hair, Throned in hei; memories and weary hopes, Her sway, the homage that to honored age Is reverently paid—a lonely Queen In regal patience waits the call to yield Her sceptre to a Monarch mightier ! Down sixty years of reigning toil and stress Whose sunlit fields of peace were ever strewn With shadows grimly threatening, her glance Sweeps backward to the halcyon moment when— A child untried —she threw her playthings down, Ai d took into her trembling, girlish hand The potent sceptre of a world-wide 6way 1

Under the reign of Queen Victoria the British Government has grown ; there has been progress material solid progress. What other nation can boast of the same freedom as the British ? Not even the Americans, with their vaunted Republicanism and extreme democracy can hope to equal, us. British political institutions are the envy of other nations. But progress has not been confined to politics. In science, in art, in education there has been marvellous advancement, and it is unnecessary to enter into comparative details. The working classes have no cause to be dissatisfied, for compared with sixty years ago their condition shows vast improvement. The British workman is to-day better paid, better housed, better clothed, better fed than his father was sixty years" ago. We have not reached a perfect state ; but of all systems of Government that which is known as the British Constitution is unquestionably far and aw r ay the best. It is the best that human ingenuity can suggest. During the sixty years that very liberal . constitution has been broadened and made more liberal. In these antipodean lands we understand and appreciate the blessings of free government; nevertheless we still regard ourselves as the children of the Motherland. The loyalty of the colonies can never be doubted ; even if it be, we think the heartiness which governments and people have shown in the great event of the month will effectually dispel any such wild notions of colonial disloyalty. That grand old colored bunting that has Braved a thousand years the battle and

the breeze, will still and for ever be our flag. We are part owners of the glorious pages of history which tell how that flag has been carried from outpost to outpost in the building of the Empire ; and can we divorce ourselves from the traditions and glories of the nation to which every New Zealand er does, we think, feel proud to belong ? The Queen of England stands as the symbol of British right and British might. To the Queen as a person we owe nothing beyond the tribute due to a noble pure woman ; but as the symbol of British unity and British freedom Ave say with our fellow colonists, fervently and reverently, " God bless the Queen," and " Rule Britannia."