The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1929. EMPIRE DAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1929. EMPIRE DAY.

Thu commemoration of Empire Day is hot a very noticeable feature in the Dominion, and although this is the day set apart, its commemoration is joined up officially by a Government Order with the King’s Birthday on June 3rd—some ten days lienee. Empire Day was fixed in umtinuatiun of Queen Victoria's birthday. That Great and Good Monarch is only a memory for many, but during her long and beneficial reign, the Empire made great strides, and it was not unfitting that a day which had been a national holiday over long years should be appropriated for tin* nation’s birthday. The Earl of Meath was the mov-

ins spirit in singling out a day for national o senance, and the choice "‘as a happy one. It was not till 1916, in the rigors of the Great War, that km pi re hay came into general observance even at' Home, But the waxperiod brought home to the people the need for the unity of the Empire, and so' the commemoration of the day came Into its own. Empire Day as the nation’s day, gives occasion for thought as to the .British Empire and v,'ll at it stands for. It may lie regarded also as a day of universal commemoration of all those men and women who in the service of the Empire, helped io build up the great i'cbrie we are all so proud to be associated with. Many names could be called to mind of Empire builders who .have not a very great niche in history, hut who in their several waits of life were all contributors to the whole. An Empire builder. Lord Rosebery, passed away this week. His days of service were in the past, but lie was an outstanding ligure in his time and had a career famous in history. He was a great orator, a moving speaker gifted in a wonderful way to arrest and convince, and with his talents more might have been heard of him. There are many living Empire builders in various parts of tbe Seven Seas. There are those connected with the arts and crafts. There are the great captains of industry, moulding or directing great concerns of British made goods which have a vogue the world over. In banking and commercial circles, the nation has outstanding men who are keeping the Empire pre-eminent at a most difficult and trying period. The war revealed its great host of soldiers and sailors and aviators who played a very noble part to the point of extreme sacrifice in the nation’s safety. Great ’olitieal leaders are in conflict today all in the service of the Empire. Each can see some other panacea for the nation’s prosperity, lnit all are concerned to safeguard its prestige. There are those overseas engaged in the same zealous service. And so in the world of sport and speed, we have those of British birth who lead and excel. The sum of all this great service for Empire, is an aggregation of States and peoples of all eo'ours, which are an example and . a pattern for other nations. The standard reached enforces an obligation on all flic people to maintain that liigli level for the nation. Proud as we are of the Empire, so the people must take pride in themselves and line up. to the prestige of our country. Wo must nil be builders. What a nation it won'd be if that were so. Unfortunately there are those who detract and who even would destroy. They need leading into a better frame of mind. The Empire spirit mi vires grafting into tlnur being, and llm conversion would be all fin* bell'W for (be race. There can be little (b"t is ill in an Einnire sm-b as curs v.bbli is bold (.-> oetlier by ITIIo mo'-e than a b rd of afreet innate svinnatliv and In-oH*cr-lin'd. If file reign nf goodw"l 1 among the peop’o of the Empire mold be norepted and lovallv served, then indeed would out Empire be the noblest in all

histnry. Perhaps this first commemoration may help somewhat towards that great and glorious goal.