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Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1927, Page 2

The Bishop of London, who is on u world tour, mid who is at present honouring New /calami with a short stay, in a speech at Auckland made a

very interesting reference to the ties which hind the Empire together -in particular that of the family life of the oversea communities which is so much a part: of the end lira nee of the nation—for the Englishmen’s home, wherever situated is a veritable citadel for the training of the future hope of the nation. .As to the real ties of Empire, his Lordship considered there are four outstanding. Me defined them in the following graphic statement. ‘Firstly,” he said, “there is the splendid link of the King, whom we honour. I often find that ‘God Save the King’ is sung more keenly and more often in the countries overseas than at home. Secondly, we have a most splendid link in our Hag. Tt means so very nine'll to us—much more than some people think. There is the red of sacrifice, and didn’t we share it in the war: the white, of the pure I family lite, wlfu-li is the bottom and foundation of every nation in the world, as our King told us the other day when he said: ‘The nation stands and falls on the homes of its people.’ Me must cherish that pure home life

and not give wav to the modem ways that undermine the home. Then, we have the blue, which means the national. honour and commercial integiitt. The trade of Great Britain is all over the world simply because an Englishman’s word is as good as his bond from one end of the world to the other. I feel that the flag which joins us together meanes sacrifice, purity and honour that nothing ought to break.” Continuing, the Bishop said that another wonderful tie was the language. “Thank God. I can speak Anglo Saxon to-day,” he said, “after having to talk to Malays and other Asian races. AA hen you think of our I beautiful literature, T do hope you are cultivating it to-day, because that is a great pride, the tie of the greatest literature ever produced in the world. Fourthly, there was the tie of religion. At this point the Bishop referred to the sendofir that was given him when he sailed from England. He said there

were representatives present of every congregation in Great Britain. He added: This common Christianity is one of the greatest links that bind us together. Whatever denomination you are, cherish the agreements and don’t lay too much stress on tho difference. Nine-tenths of the great truths we believe are the same.” There is a great deal in the pride of race as described in the vivid picture of all the British Flag stands for. The Flag stands for all those traditions of our race, traditions built up through the centuries b.v the men who made the Empire and passed it on as a heritage for those of our time. The race which lives up to the creed of sacrifice, purity and honor which the. colors of the Union •lack typify, lias nought to fear of the future. The honor of our nation is being proven over and over again. The Great War was an outstanding instance of what the country would do for its plighted word. After the war, we find England honoring her debts even though she has to pay a £IOO,OOO a day for 02 years to wipe off obligations contracted in greater part for the benefit of others. England’s name stands high and there is justice for pride in the claim that the Empire is all that the Bishop said of it in his glow ing tribute to the majesty of the Motherland and her possessions.