EMPIRE DAY MOVEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 6 May 1907, Page 4

EMPIRE DAY MOVEMENT.

We have- received the following from March-- 1 ' mUit ''' <laU ' tlK ' 181,1

May I be permitted, through your rel U r,'" S \ to i'' aW tlu * att(, ">tion of your .dels to the near approach of May, ami to express a hope that no time may ments fo"' "* ma,i ' n g due arrangements foi a proper observation this year of Empire Day on May 24th. It may interest them to know that. >ear Empire Day and Victoria Day 111 Canada were observe,l by over eMit million loyal subjects throughout The dominions of the King-Emperor. It is to be hoped that many more on May 24 will take part in celebrations which cannot fail to lead to the growth of the friendliest feelings between British subjects throughout the world, of increased lojakj to their common Sovereign, and ultimately to a closer union between all portions ol his vast Empire. Desirable as is the due celebration of • Empire Day, it is well to remember that its outward observance is of small value when compared with the over whelming importance of the inner spirit of the movement. This inner spirit may be described as the subordination of seifish or <dass interests to those of the .-tate and of the eomuninity. anil the systematic imbuing of the minds of all .I, ' especially of the vouii" with a sense of the gravity of t|,e?ieiiic and Imperial responsibilities, With a burning de„ire lo perform manfully and scll-sacntieingly the duties winch lies nearest t«, tl.em, and which they owe to their fellows and the State lliat such consecration 0 f individnai power, lor the general good is not vet universal, can hardly be controverted—-t-/nit it ever will be so is extremely doubtful-but no harm, but only good, can arise from a movement to stimulate :i stronger sense of patriotic duty amongst liritisb subjects, with a view not to the injury of others, but to the merca-ed happiness of the 401) millions who owe allegiance to King Edward Vir. and through tlic-in to that of the rest of the human race.

1 lie most effective way of bringing the ■i io\e ideas lo a practical solution is naturally t„ i„. f, mml ~v j n |i,| ]|( , rising generation throughout the schools ot the Empire, and. with this view, it is of the greatest importance that the assistance of all Eiluetional authorities shall be evoked. and the sympathies of teachers throughout the King's dominions be aroused in support of this "real national movement. It is hoped "that the moral keynote of a high ideal of Imperial aud civic duty will be struck by the clergy of the Empire of all donominations in (heir sermons and addresses on Sunday, Hay 10, so as to prepare their congregations for the due appreciation of the inner meaning of the I'elebration of Slav 24.

The promoters of the Empire Day movement also trust that, where possible, mayors and municipal authorities ;will make the demonstrations on Jlav 24 | a matter of civic concern.