The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1901. THE EMPIRE'S LOSS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 23, 24 January 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1901. THE EMPIRE'S LOSS.

j' Our loss is too recent, and our feelings ] B too harrowed with the torrible sense of j $[ the magnitude of the loss which we, in r common with our fellow countrymen,! f have suffered by the death of our be- \ loved Queen to say much on this painful subject. Throughout the vast Emf; pire, over which she has ruled so long, j so wisely, and so lovingly, there are •' sore hearts. Even amongst the other •j nations there is a feeling of intense | respect and admiration for the Great § Good Queen and sorrow at the removal l; of a wise counsellor. Not only are the | heartsof the Eoglishspeaktng portion of 4 her subjects sad, but the whele of K the races who have loved and pros- | pered under her boneficient rule are | heart broken at the loss of one <who jhas been aptly termed their IK Great White Mother. It is sixty-three 1 1 years since, when as a young loving and " bright girl, she began her reign, and during all this time she haß worn tho white flowerof a blameless life. Horideal has been a high one, and she has lived up to it and raised her people with her. Her influence on the Jiome and family. life of her people has over been for! good and not till the great white books j j are opened at the judgment day will I all her inilaenoe for good in the world !be known. We read of the mighty j 1 Empires of Rome and Greece, but these i iware insignificant as compared with' ; the vast and mighty Empire over which she ruled so long and gloriously. The I sceptre in her hands was ever an emblem |.of equity, mercy, and beneficenee. I Rioh poor met with equal justice iat her bands a&4 )>er heirt was always Sin sympathy with the dpselate and the | oppressed. During her reigp fh? I British Aug became more than ever »the symbol of universal freedom. What $ shall we sty more ? only that she was in kvihe truest sense the mother of her 1 people. While bowing humbly to the fi diviae will, which for Borne inscrutible | reason has seen fit to take her away to •I J express o»r for the many | years during which shp has beep spared Sin health and strength to rule so wisely lover the great Empire committed tb I her oharge. Of her ifc may truly bo II said "well done thou good and faiih>|ful servant, enter thou into thy rest." In her was found a good woman, a faithful wife, a loving mother, a great Queen, and a wise ruter. She has passed away and tho werld is poorer today for her absence. She has left her mark on the history of hor time and will livo in the hearts of her people till 8 time shall ba no more.