EMPIRE DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1918, Page 4

EMPIRE DAY.

HONOURED IN FRANCE

\ AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

& KEUTEB. j

London, May 24

President Poincare sent a message to the King stating that the whole of France was associating itself with the celebration of Empire Day. Meetings were held in all the principal towns when the magnificent war effort of Britain and her Dominions was explained. The President eloquently refers to the Anglo-French bonds in union and common ideals and sacrifice.

't'lie King, replying, acknowledges the generous impulse impelling France to honour the day. The King paid a tribute to the splendour of France’s achievements and glorious heroism which cannot fail to be crowned with lasting union of the hearts of the two peoples.

AN INSPIRING SPEECH. Paris, May 25 It was an imposing celebration on Empire Day, also commemorating the third anniversary of Italy’s entry into the war. There was an immense and enthusiastic audience,, including Poincare and the members of the Cabinet, and the principal officials. M. Deschanel in an inspiring speech said that the British people, having established civil and political liberty for themselves became the rampart of European freedom and carried civilisation across the distant seas. Germany had united France and England for ever. German}’ 1 was drunk with the lust of conquest and had lost all moral sense. Leygus paid a tribute to Britain's naval might and added that during April more than 400,000 soldiers had been landed in France. IN SOUTH AFRICA. Capetown, May 25 Empire Day was patriotically celebrated throughout South Africa, inspiring addresses being delivered to large assemblages of children in 1 the various centres. |