EMPIRE DAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 43, 25 May 1916, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY.

PROMINENCE IN BRITAIN. UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION. CROWING UVif'cRIALISM. VIEWS Or STATESMEN. UniTtU/ i tuifh'j austiOUJ»X.OX. titoCCiVed 10.20 a. 111.) London, May Never such prom mem. e lias oeen .riven to ltuiiJ.ro .Ilay in i-nuum, One To the growing Imperial feeling winch has sprung out ot the Mar, “ llu ti.o Government's appreciation ol public sentiment as evidenced by the majoring of the Union Jack to he down on° public buildings. Many p>v«-.uj linns and households followed the example. . . There is much relief in Dominion circles at the absence of erganmeh flag-selling in the streets. i'neGe, j latterly, have been so numerous that ’they have become a nuisance. Empire Day was marked throughout the provinces by the Hying of the Union Jack on parish churches, schools, country houses, golf chibs, factories, camps and on many places throughout the United' Kingdom. Empire Day lectures on the meaning of Empire and the objects of the War followed the salute of The Flag. The principal schools received mestrom jJomiiiioii statesmen. There was a special service on Satinday at St. Paul’s,

Sixty-four flags of the Empire weic displayed in a march in procession. Hie Pall Mali Gazette publishes the views of distinguished men in favor of an Imperial Conference to considei post-war problems, especially Imperial co-ordination.

Lord Lamington recommends periodical conferences, and gradually acquiring of responsible and statutory powers, which would ho a process safer and more in accordance with our constitutional development than tiic adoption of the national system, which might rigidly shackle our freeworking Empire. Lord Sydenham hopes the Empire will emerge from the war more firmly united, ready, and organised for co-operation 1 in securing the welfare ol all classes.

An official notice given in England that the Union Jack shall fly from public buildings on Empire Day (May 24th) represents another step forward (says the Sydney “Daily Telegraph”). Two or three years ago in the British Parliament a request for the flag to bo displayed in the same quarters on the same day met with a prompt and curt refusal. Sucn attitude of negation is now impossible. The war has revealed that what all the demonstrations were intended to inculcate —an Imperial patriotism —is a reality. And of that reality the Union. Jack is the symbol. It is a notable fact in the history of the British Empire development that the sentiment of Imperial unity took a much stronger hold on the masses ol the people in Australia and New Zealand than it did on those of Great Britain. Yet there has never been any public demand out here for a form of organic amalgamation or settled constitutional co-operation. That lias come from England itself, where the cult of Imperialism has been fostered as a movement with an ultimate political aim. While the flag waves on the public buildings-of the whole Empire, Dominions, and Mother Country alike, there is a more enduring promise ol the maintenance of Imperial solidarity than there would bo if any of the schemes yet evolved reached accomplishment. The Union Jack stands for the unity of the British race in whatever part of the earth its millions (may he scattered.

OESERVAJ'JCE IN syde^ey. Sydney, May 21. The weather was showery tor Empire Day. There was a good display of hunting, otherwise the observance was in a modified form. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S MESSAGE. Wellington, May 24. The Governor has received the following telegram from General Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of British forces in Franco:— “Ail ranks under my command in France join with me in greetings on Empire Day to our fellow subjects throughout Ids Majesty’s Dominions, representative of every part of those Dominions, bound together not only )>y tics of blood, but by similarity ot ideal* and loyalty to one Crown and one flag. Our armies are united heart and soul in this great fight for freedom and justice—old watchwords of our race. Confident in ourselves, in

the ungrudging help and support ol our kin throughout the world, and in our gallant Allies, we look forward to certain victory.” GENERAL JOFFRE’S MESSAGE. The Governor has also received a message, transmitted through General Sir Douglas Haig, from General Joffre, which reads as follows: — “On the occasion of Empire Day it is my good fortune to express to yon the sentiments of high esteem and of cordial camaraderie which the French armies feel for the valiant troops of India, of the Dominions, and of the (Colonies, whose line conduct, and whose brilliant feats of arms on every held of battle where Uiey have fougnt, they so much admire. I desire that yon will transmit those sentiments to the officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers of India, of the Dominions, and of the Colonies, with" whom tho French troops are fortunate enough to be lighting side by side tor the same ideal.” _ V THE GOVERNOR’S REPLY. His Excellency lias sent tho following reply, addressed to General Sir Douglas Haig:— “New Zealand, through me, thanks you for your inspiring message, and tho Dominion is proud that her sons should be associated with all the gallant troops under your command, and eagerly watches ail your doings. Please convey to General Joffre tho grateful thanks of tho people of these Islands for his kindly message, which he lias sent through you. Please tell him that

ill New Zealanders doom it a great honor to bo associated with the heroic french armies in the struggle to uphold everything which both nations hold dear.”