EMPIRE DAY MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1929, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY MESSAGE

LONDON, May 23. Air Baldwin, the Pl-ime Minister, speaking in Hyde Park last night, his message being broadcast to all parts of the Empire! said: The first words the people of Great Britain won id wish me to speak to all those who arc listening throughout the Empire are words of thanksgiving to Almighty God for the King’s recovery. Never was tlie loyalty" of his people more affectionately centered on the throne than it is at this moment. His Majesty.is everybody’s King. This is Empire Day and wo lift up our eyes beyond our immediate surroundings and our every-day discussions to behold the great inheritance which is ours. Our feet are set in a large place, and if the Titan has known moments of weariness, if our burdens are heavy, our shoulders are broad and they have been fitted to hear the vast orb of our fate.

The British Empire has spread with the ripple of a restless tide over tracks and islands and continents. Pioneers adventurers, preachers, traders, all in their day, and with their several motives, have been its architects. Through all the changes of political relations and vicissitudes of trade, it has dugyehunnels innumerable—channels wide and deep for the spread of what is noblest in human achievement to the remotest corners of the earth—and one of its greatest gifts to civilisation is the freedom which we seek not only to enjoy ourselves but to share increasingly with others. Imperial power has decked itself in many forms in the course of the world’s history. Too often Empire lias meant Inst of dominion. Governments built on foundations of tyranny and oppression have flourished, decayed and perished. The British Empire has shown, and at no time more than in the last few years, that the lessons in the fate of the Empires of the past have not been lost upon it.

Mr Baldwin concluded: Let us separate with this thought in our minds; that each one of us in the Old Country, so far as- in him lies, will strive to keep these islands a fit nursery for our race .and to make service to the Empire the inspiration of its manhood. "For unto him whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required.”