Empire Day Sentiments

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1921, Page 4

Empire Day Sentiments

THE BIG SYDNEY MEETING

(From the Sydney Herald.)

Reporting the huge meeting lately held in Sydney to resent the burning of the Union Jack, the newspaper report of the loyalist gathering which overflowed Sydney Town Hall gives the following outline of what was said to bo the most notable gathering of its kind ever held in the Mother Colony:—

The great wave of indignation that quickly spread throughout the State over the binning of the Union Jack and tho other scenes that marked the celebration of Ma yDay found a dramatic climax in the Town Hall.

There have been few meetings like it in Sydney. Tho vast concourse and the deep note which the meeting struck of loyalty and of indignation, suggested that the chief civic hall was the confluence of all these forces, which during the past few days, have expressed a profound disapproval of the May Day happenings. In the vast audience, representatiyes, of all tho loyal elements in the community, and filling the hall to overflowing; in the speeches ancl resolutions of the meeting, and in the general temper of it, one saw the citizens’ unqualified condemnation of th# May Day disorders.

The “red raggers” had thrown down a challenge.

la the loyal sentiments of the big meeting, one saw an emphatic answer to* it.

Diggers, most indignant of all citizens at the outrage of the flag under which they fought, were present in strong force, the southern gallery having been reserved for disabled soldiers and women who were unaccompanied. Loyalty, it is clear from this great meeting, is something more than an abstract thing when national sentiment is aroused.

The meeting synchronised fittingly with the eleventh anniversary of the accession of King George to the throne, in honour of which the facade of the Town Hall was bright with the Union Jack and Commonwealth flag, and flags of tho Allies, in striking contrast to its bareness on Anzae Day. The hall inside was aglow with the colours of draped Union Jacks which were flown by tb© organisers of the meeting. It was a scene of unparalleled enthusiasm. The hall was packed long before the commencement of the jiroeoedings, even standing room being at a premium. The immediate surroundings of the hall were black with people unable to gain admission. In Druittstreet the crowds overflowed the footpath, and ran a banker on to the road. The doors of the Town Hall were closed at about half-past 6, when the storm of people was such that the vast hall was crowded in a few minutes. Many people in the audience attested their feelings by carrying and waving small Union Jacks. The vast audience filled the waiting time with patriotic songs, the full notes of which rang out over thij hall lo the accompaniment of the organ. The crowd was sucli that it was deemed desirable to start the meeting half-an-hour before the customary time. A number of Naitonalist members, including tli© deputy-leader of the Nationalist party Mr W. O. Oakes, were present. Re-echoeing cheers swept tho vast audience as three bluejackets appeared on the platform as the meeting was in progress. Approaching to the front of tho platform, they stood erect, with Union Jacks hoisted. It was a stirring moment. The enthusiasm of the great crowd, who saw in those men striking symbols of Empire loyalty, knew no bounds. Cheers broke out, “Rule Britannia” was sung with great fervour, anil the air was clouded with thou* sands of waving flags. Cheers followed for the King and then for the Navy. Three stalwart Diggers then came into the scone, and another wonderful demonstration followed.

“Where’s the Lord Mayor?” ’cried tomeone in the audience. A mighty chorus of boo-hoos arose from all parts of the hall. Filtering through to the ball through out the night were cheers and other evidence of the demonstrativeness of the great overflow meeting. On leaving the Town Hall at the instance of Mr W. J. Warneford, avia tor, the Scottish Vipers’ Band headed through several of the city thoroughfares a loyal procession of from 3000 to 50(H) poo pie, who had partiepated in the meeting in the Town Hall.