The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1928. OUR EMPIRE HOME.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1928. OUR EMPIRE HOME.

Mu A.MKiiY. niter his trip round a 4 large part of tlie British Empire. reJ turned to England with the feeling "I that in the Empire’ the nation had a 3 world-wide home. No one. said Mr j Amer.v, could realise the developments s? seen during the tour merely hy readJ ing statistics. 'l'hose developments "I could ho realised only when they saw 3 them and met those engaged in the j work, and appreciated the splendid • spirit of our settlers, men and women, | all over the Empire, who were losing none of their love of the Old Country, and yet were throwing themselves , heart and soul into the patriotism of a new country. Amid all the different I conditions, aspirations, and dreams of ’ the people and their different methods • of expressing themselves there ran the 5 thread of a common kinship in pride of race, and even .more kinship of ideas, 1 beliefs, liahits and associations. Wher- | ever lie had been there had not been . one day or hour when be had not been • at borne. Coming back to England. | the strongest impression remained in j ; bis mind of the width and beauty and of the glorious opportunity of their I world-wide Home. These thoughts sugj gest what a great heritage there is for the people of the British Empire. I and how essential it is for the people j to maintain that Empire in it-, closes 1 ; connection one with the other. It is I composed of many peoples and the j lilending of many races but tile traditions of the Homeland h nve followed I j the Flag and are as firmly planted as in j the Old Country itself. Here, at the i Antipodes, we know that there is an Island home very much akin to Britain itself, and which has much of the affinities which create a land 1 affection it would he difficult to sever. It may He that in other parts of the Empire the chords of attachment are not so much in keeping, lint the fealty and faith of the people in the Empire is no less sound. Mr Amorv’.s mission appears to have been to bring the large family closer together. He favoured and preached preference in trade and intercourse, and it is apparent, that those relations should he so bound up. Tn extremity we would naturally turn to the Motherland, and so in pon'-eful pursuits it would bo wise that our inter-relations should ho the mo=t cordial and encouraging with the object of knitting the Em- i pire more and more together, and presenting to the world a very solid and cohesive whole. If this were attained , in the fullest degree, it would mean , so much more to our own pro.seerity and to the peace of the world at large. Its attainment calls for loyalty in every walk of life, and of interest and concern, not only in our own welfare. I hut also for that of other parts of the 5 Empire. To realise so valuable an of.- • jective calls for a perpetual building n up policy. The mad desire so often 5 expresed in action if not in word, hy -

seeking to destroy or pull down as manifested in industrial revolts and labour upheavals, is not helplul to the goal—to carry tho Empire to its high destiny. That can be accomplished :»:i----|v by true national co-operation, which it is the duty of all citizens of the Empire to strive for. Working along such lines the dominions overseas must grow in opulence and vast ness and he real factors in maintaining the pride and prestige of the Empire we should all bo so very proud of and anxious to work for.