The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1928. EMPIRIE DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1928. EMPIRIE DAY.

The value and material-quality of Empire Day this year is being emphasised in a special manner, that round about its commemoration, Empire week has come to bo established, as a special occasion to promote Empire trading and commerce. This is a very proper and peaceful method of utilising a da.v which recalls memories of Good Queen i Victoria, who despite the intimate rci velations of a certain historian, still | stands out as a splendid type of wo- ! manhood, who ruled the destinies of j the Empire during a period of great I advancement. Queen Victoria’s long ! reign and the manner in which her life | and living were regarded, was a great ! historical episode in the record of the | Empire, and with her reign must he associated so much material advancement, that we may marvel what the Empire is to become if the next century is to keep step with the past century as regards the progress of the Empire. Looking hack over a hundred years or so, we see great changes in the life of the Empire, -in. the life of the world. Modern inventions of a farreaching character have changed the whole aspect of life. Wo move much faster, think much faster, and produce much faster than in the days of old. The old stage coach of the early Victorian days of the Good Queen, have given place to the railway and tho aeroplane.' The facilities for transmitting thought by postage, have been enlarged by the telegraph, and now the wireless. Speech, too, which was first set afar by the telephone, now goes across the air to millions of hearers by the aid of wireless. Electricity is lieing applied in so many ways that marvel succeeds marvel. In production, machinery has played a wonderful part. The hand printing press has given place to the machine which revolves with such rapidity and can print in more than one color with a single operation. The hand-setting has given place to the linotype, so that now there is a multitude of books produced. In every industrial course machinery of greater purpose has established itself, and production has mounted up by leaps and hounds. All this has I wen accomplished in a short hundred years. 'lt is a brief span in the ago of the Empire, and one wonders what the next hundred years will accomplish. Some of the very young now may live to see, for life itself may lie added to by science in the coming century. Great strides will be made in aerial transport, and probably in submarine explorations. War may lie no more, even in a comparatively short time. Science is grappling with disease of all shapes and adding to the sum of human happiness. Whatever the future may reveal,', however, will call for works for ourselves. Within the Empire it would appear the spirit of restlessness so noticeable following the war period, is passing. There is a hotter feeling among the masses. The classes are merging more and mere into the mass, and there is a national and cordial feeling. The same.spirit is hc- ■ ing demonstrated internationally. In that regard the British Empire occupies a very promising place. What the Empire may do is always a counter in international action. That position carries its responsibilities and should bestir us to live up to the greater duty which is ours. The name or the Empire stands high in all walks of life. Truly has the Empire been well-founded and zealously reared. Here, at this time of commemoration it is well to take stock of our nationhood and realise what we owe to ourselves and what is due to the world at large. The British Empire is on a pinnacle in world affairs, placed there by works and deeds which are recorded to onr credit in history. A great heritage is with us, and it is for us to uphold those traditions on which the greatness of our Empire rests.