The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1927. EMPIRE DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1927. EMPIRE DAY.

Empire Day passed unhonourcd and unsung in New Zealand on Tuesday. Officially the day is to lie. celebrated ion June ,'ird. jointly with the So', eroign’s Birthday. They do these things differently in Australia and the Homeland. whore Empire Day "as celebrated in a very special manner. At all the chief centres of the Commonwealth loyal and patriotic gatherings were hold, and the occasion celebrated ia no empty way. Similarly at Home there were special celebrations. The absence of any special form of observance here had no particular significance in that the day was belittcd or that New Zealand was not unmindful of its duty to the Empire. As a matter of fact the Dominion would not he prepared to give place to any of the. countries within the Empire on the score of loyalty. At the'same time the omission of any official recognition is rather a mistake. Recognition would serve to remind tlie people of the Empire and what it stands for. All this was emphasised specially in the speeches in Australia on Tuesday night, many of which were to be heard over the wireless There were some splendid gatherings and by speech and song the abiding loyalty of the people was pronounced in no uncertain sound. In these democratic days It might bo thought that it is not necessary to recall us to our national duties. But with the leaven of disloyalty in the land, it is well and wise to keep the national duty of sound and sincere minority never fail to make themselves heard, when opportunity offers, so that it is just as well to let all the world know tliat the flame of patriotism burns as brightly in New Zealand as ever it did. We know, of course, that our Prime Minister who is of sound Imperial strain, has lately proclaimed his intention of providing a substantial payment towards the British Navy. It is no more than we should do, seeing that the Navy is our sure shield and defence in this output of Empire. But

there are tliuse who criticise that act adversely, and who would leave the far-llung portions of the Empire to their fate, bv reducing the organisation of the Navy to a negligible quantity. In matters of defence, the naval

safeguard is of paramount importance to New Zealand With all the unrest abroad and with the uncertainty of national affairs in both Europe and Asia, it is imperative tlio British Erne

should maintain its Navy in an eflieent state. In particular, we here are specially interested in possible events in the Paciiie Ocean, and that makes

it more necessary than ever, that New Zealand should he a liberal contributor to the Singapore Base which is so essential to the more effective maintenance of the British Navy in waters so far removed from the Home base. If Empire Day were not recognised in no other way than ill recalling to the people of the Empire their duty t the maintenance of that Empire, il would at least be of some service. A healthy publie opinion 011 these mailers would lie a national asset serving at once to maintain the patriotic morale of the community, and discounting at the same time the puny, hut noisy efforts of those who seek to stir up mischief by a disloyal altitude 11ml a disregard of all that is genuine and best for the Empire.