EMPIRE DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1924, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY.

LOXDOX CELEBRATIONS. lUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION. LOXDOX. May 21. The Empire Day celebrations in Loudon were on an unparalleled scale. Eight thousand members of juvenile organisations .participated at Wembley in a pageant organised bv the League of Empire. They marched past the Duke of Connaught. Ibe processionists, assisted by a choir of one thousand boy .scouts, later sang: “Hearts of Oak.’’ and “Auh! Lang .Svne.” accompanied by massed bands. Bain, however, poured throughout the morning, but the sun shone in the afternoon when the proceedings began. Special trains brought spectators from all over the country. The cheering was vociferous when the Duke of Connaught megaphoned a message to the King, who replied, thanking him. The proceedings wore broadcasted wirelessly. Messages from Empire statesmen wore read at intervals in the

evening. q'lie day was celebrated everywhere with patriotic demonstrations, notably at Belfast, where 'ten thousand school children were presented with commemoration medals. The Duke of Connaught presided at the Colonial Institute’s Empire Day dinner, where a distinguished gatheriinr included the Duke of York, and Sir James Allen. The theme of the speeches was a united Empire. Mr J. 11. Thomas (Colonial Sv’erotarv). in proposing the principal toast, appealed to all to drop _ miserable class warfare and class talk. Let all. whatever their class or eroocL unite to make the Empire worthy of the sacrifices of those of all classes who had defended the Empire. Sir Tims MacKenzie. Xew Zealand, replying, warned the 1 Government that it must change it spruced tire if the Oversea representatives were to continue the Imperial Conference, as they would be bitterly disappointed if they saw that no Vlfe-.-t were given to the recommendations of the collfeioiui. Heforring to the Singapore Jtttval base scheme, he said that if ever Australia fell away from the Empire, il would lie through responsible people in Britain not providing proper protection. In honour of Empire »".v. wreaths were then laid on the cenotaph on behalf of “Australia's glorious dead.

\ RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION' LONDON. May 2ti

Sunday’s Empire thanksgiving service was the largest organised religious service in the history of humanity. Apart from the vast choir ami bands over it hundred thousand were actually present in the Stadium, while at least i.wo million people all over the country listened in to the servile. The Archbishop's address was wirelessed tltiougliout Britain, including a hundred Sunday schools, and many openair gatherings. Luckily tlie weather had cleared. Il was sunny and line. 'Within the Stadium the proceedings were most impressive. The vast crowd joined in singing the ’‘Old Hundredth” and National Anthem. A climax to the service was reached when the massed choir sang the anthem •‘Let Is Now I’raise Famous -Men!” closing with an interval of two mittutes’ tense silence, while a select thanksgiving was olfeicd for the Imperial blessings and a prayer that the nations of the Empire might be worthy of their Imperial burden. The Archbishop's text was the words “Thy Kingdom Come.” He emphasised thc«Kmpire was a distinctive thing in the world's story, many nations being grouped within its orbit, lie continued: “In no haunting spirit. wo meet to-day to say we believe in God. who made us fit for the responsibility of Empire.” lie closed with the words: “Verily. Empire liinhling is a solemn trust on behalf of generations yet unborn.”

AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICE. LONDON. May 25

At the Empire Day Thanksgiving Services, which were attended by their Majesties at the Stadium on Sunday, the bands comprised one thousand •!’- sti'iiments. A choir of two thousand

voices sang at the opening ceremony, which was reinforced by a Boy Scouts' choir. The whole gathering was t.io-d

impressive. A large procession, symbolical of the Builders of the Ernie;--, carrying colonial ling-, entered the stadium first, followed by an occlesi.istical procession including tile Archbishops. Bishops and representatives of the religious bodies. Ihe Archbishop of Canterbury delivered ail address, and a collection was taken up in ait! of the British Empire Cancer Campaign.