EMPIRE DAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 42, 24 May 1916, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY.

RUDYARD KIPUNC'S MESSAGE. > ! ! {United Paiss AißociAtioN.J London, May 2.3. Rudyard Kipling’s message on the occasion of Empire Day is as follows: (When Germany challenged us to hold ■up with our lives the ideals by which J we professed to live, we accepted the challenge, not out of madness, nor lor I glory nr gain , but to make good those professions. Since then the Allies and our Empire have fought that they may be free and all the earth may be free ' from the intolerable domination of German ideals. We did not torsee the I size of the task when the war opened. Wo do not flinch from it now. Long months have schooled us to a full ■ knowledge and tempered us, nationally land individually, to meet it. The najtions within the Empire have created; maintained and reinforced from their best great armies which they devote | without question to this issue. They !emerged one by one as powers clothed [with power through discipline and sacrifice, strong for good by the bitter [knowledge of evil they are meeting, and wise in unpurchasable wisdom of

actual achievement, knowing as nations what it is we fight for. We go forward now under the proud banner of our griefs and losses to greater effort and endurance, and, if need be, to heavier sacrifice. Wc are equal sponsors for the deliverance of mankind. OBSERVANCE IN SYDNEY. Sydney, May 23. There will be a modified observance of Empire Day, with no public holidays or entertainments. Schools will be restricted to an hour’s lesson on patriotic subjects. There will he intercessory sendees in the churches.