The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” TUESDAY, JUNE 7th, 1921

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “ The West Coast Times.” TUESDAY, JUNE 7th, 1921

AX ANNUAL COMMEMORATION. A movement, very well supported, is afoot in the United States, having for its object the annual commemoration of a day which will appeal to the seven ] English-speaking nations, as something of a bond of sympathy and the commoner interests which write them. The seven nations as defined are the United States, Great Britain, Canada, New Foundland, Australia, New Zealand South Africa (as well as their dependencies). In America the movement is being taken up very widely and as a Boston paper remarked during the war period: “Now the thrill of a gieat common hope, a common duty, as \sell as common memories, and a commoner tongue, suggest a day of celebration which applies to both peoples.” It is this appeal to unified action which is carrying sway in the northern hemisphere, and in America a date has been selected and programmes proposed for the commemoration. The day chosen is Magna Charta day, which falls on the 15th of this month. The Americans have selected that purely English date because on that occasion was laid the great foundation-stone of the joint )i- ---* berties of the English-speaking races. It is contended that the observance of such a day would be of special note, because the united influence of the nations concerned is so vast that such a day would have, unquestionably, a powerful influence on the world. It is felt that with every observance of such a day, a future world war wßuld be rendered just that much more difficult. The day, it is being 'pointed out, is not only for the greater glory of the parent stocks of the English-speaking peoples, but it is for the general benefit of all the inhabitants of those two mighty groups which under the providence of God, are giving civil and religious liberty to one-third of the world’s area and population. There has now been over a century of peace between Great Britain and the United States, and we have seen of late years how close the two iwent nations have been drawn to each 'other, and how completely parallel are their aims and aspirations in regard to a world peace. Any movement therefore calculated to junction these forces in regard to their first national ideals is worth fostering. There should be something more than friendship between the two nations on either side of the Atlantic—there should be that renl

kinship which exists in fact, and it should he brought into more active family union and intercourse. United ns they should he with power and wealth behind them, Great Britain and America can do the world inestimable service by creating and imposing peace. The inter-relation of the countries could well he made the firm foundation of a very satisfying League of Nations, and on that account the movement deserves to" succeed admirably. Magna Charta day is a happy choice for such an occasion, for it was tho great charter which gave to English speaking people the foundation upon which was built the present degree of liberties enjoyed. The commemoration will he a reminder of the potential interests of the occasion, for the present seems to impose the fact on the mind more and more that now is the time to realise nationally the absolute necessity of the seven nations standing together and facing the world problems witli that degree of unity and concord best calculated to solve the problems and over come the difficulties. The movement is well worth while, and deserves to succeed throughout the countries so intimately affected by the results.