IMPERIAL UNITY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 40, 17 June 1915, Page 4

IMPERIAL UNITY.

The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, High Commissioner for New Zealand, presided at the “Shakespeare dinner” of the Atlantic Union held at the Holborn Restaurant in London. Sir Sidney Lee, in proposing the toast of “The Immortal Memory of Shakespeare,* 1 said that our Imperial repute lay under an incalculable debt to the great ]K)et, and it was well to keep our indebtedness to Shakespeare prominently before us in the present time. What was the patriotic doctrine, what was the advice that Shakespeare offered to all patriots? The Shakespearean drama enjoined those who loved their country wisely to neglect no opportunity of resisting aggression. It bade all I'higlishmen to remember that the safety and prosperity of their nation depended on the command of the sea. Shakespeare bade them to hold firm in their memory the dear souls who had made a reputation for this country throughout the world. 'The political social, and physical conditions of this country had altered a great deal since Shakespeare lived, but the dramatist’s sage and sober doctrine of patriotism has lost little of its pristine vitality. In thanking Sir Sidney Lee for hi s address. Mr Mackenzie said that Imperial unity was never stronger than at the present moment. The younger nations of the Empire realised the sense oi danger, and they were doing more in proportion to their size than even the Old Country. The command of the sea was as esesntial now as when Sslc't sneare alluded to it, and those who live in t. c overse- Dominions felt this so mg! ■ that they v' v •> red in 'o even more than their share towards creating a navy so strong t!i..-1 no one would dare threaten the Empire.