EMPIRE DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 101, 26 May 1909, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY.

FIFTEEN MILLION' SCHOOL CHILDREN' PARTICIPATE. London, May 24. Including 18,00 a schools with ncnrly 4,000,000 scholars in the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 15,000,000 children were celebrating Empire Diy throughout the Empire. Five thousand hoys marched via Thames Embankment to' Hyde Park, carrying fifty-six Hags ol the dominions and colonies.

Eighteen bands took part in tlic proceedings. Tlie Union Jack was saluted at the Reformers' Tree, xvhere the colonial colore wore trooped. The celebrations in the provinces were more general than ill previous years. A civic lend wns given lo the .'celebrations in dlasgow for the first time, and the Empire was toasted at th ( . municipal banquet. Schools at Shvperton, Middlesex, -'cceived a Union Jack and other giils from the Sheperton State schools in Victoria. The enthusiasm Known was unprecedented. ENTHUSIASM IX CANADA. Ottawa, May 24. Enthusiasm was shown in Canada over Empire Day. Lord Gray addressed the cadets at Toronto. CELEBRATIONS AT HOME AXD ABROAD. Received 25, 11.10 p.m. London, May 25. There were many exchange (lags unfurled, including lievonport and Caversimp (Otago). 1 The British colony at Berlin, including representatives nt the colonies, ecle- ■ bratod Empire Day for the first time 1i,7 a picnic at Warm Lake.

Lord Mcthuen addressed 1500 children at Johannesburg.

. Celebrations were also held nt .famaiea, Bermuda, Singapore, Malta and CibraHr. I%c British residents of Hongkong collected £40,0(10 and the Chinese residents £I4OO, to establish a Hongkong University.

The Loudon streets were gay with] Union Jacks and colonial flags, except the flovernment buildings. Flags were flown from the church towers throughout the country. Ten thousand children assembled at lievonport, 0000 at Acton, (1000 at Killing and 3000 were regaled in the Castle grounds at Windsor.

The AVar Office issued an order prohibiting the Harrow School Cadet Cor;is taking part in (lie celebrations in London. ITS OFFICIAL NON-OBSERVANCE. Received 25, 10.!I5 p.m. London, Max' 25. Speaking at the London Chamber of Commerce banquet, Earl Crewe said that the official Empire celebration is the birthday of the Sovereign, thereby demoting that lh e Crown is the centre pivot. This is the only reason why the official xvorld does not share in the cele. brations of Empire Day.