EMPIRE DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1916, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY.

CELEBRATIONS IN BRITAIN. GROWING IMPERIAL FEELIXG. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, May . 24. Never has such prominence been given to Empire Day in Britain. This is due to the growing Imperial feeling which has sprung out of the war, and the Government's appreciation of the public sentiment was evidenced by ordering the Union Jack to be flown on public buildings. Many private firms and households followed (lie example. , There was much relief in Dominion circles at' the absence of organised flag selling in the streets. These sales have latterly been so numerous as to become a nuisance.

Empire Day was marked throughout the provinces by parish churches, schools, country houses, golf clubs, factories and camps flying the Union Jack. In many places throughout the Kingdom Empire Day lectures were given 011 the meaning of the Empire and the objects of the war, followed by saluting the flag. The principal schools received ' messages from Dominion statesmen. A special service will he held 011 Saturday at St. Paul's Cathedral, when the G4 flags of the Empire will march in procession.

The Pall Mall Gazette has published the views of distinguished men in favor of an Imperial Conference to consider post-war problems, especially Imperial co-81'dination.

Lord Lamington, late Governor of Queensland and of Bombay, recommends periodical conferences, gradually acquiring responsible statutory powers. Such a process would he safer and more in accordance with our constitutional development than the adoption of a national system which might rigidly shackle our free-working Empire. Lord Sydenham, late Governor of Victoria. and of Bombay, hopes that the Empire will emerge from the war more firmly united and ready organised for co-operation securing the welfare of all classes. 1 •

AN INDIGNANT PARSON, PROCLAIMS AGATNST VAIN BOASTING. Received May 25, 5.5 p.m. London, May 24. Rev. Gaseiovne Cecil, in a letter to the newspapers, condemns rejoicings on Empire Day. He says: "It seems impious boasting, which may bring Divine wrath upon our arms. Country after country was added to our territories before we began boasting, but since Empire Day has been kept God's blessing has been withheld. We ought to be penitential and pray that we may not be punished for our pride."

FROM THE ARMY TO THE KING. .A GRACIOUS REPLY. Received May 25, 10.0 p.m. London, May 25. General Sir Douglas Haig telegraphed the King an Empire Day message of loyal devotion from the troops of all the Dominions.

The King replied: "Tell the soldiers of the. Empire of the pride aiul interest wherewith I am following their fortunes, trusting that success will crow'n their efforts. May their comradeship on the battlefield unite still more closely the people of the Dominions with the Mother Country in the age of peace which, please Hod, will be the fruit of '..his long and arduous war."

"~f IMPERIAL'UNION. A CONVENTION URGED. Received May 25, 10.0 p.m. London May 2f>. The Council of the British Empire League, the Duke of Devonshire presid in;;, resolved that the best way of find ing out whether Imperial union was pos sible and what line to follow was de sirable, would be to hold an elective eon vention of the type which was success ful in nil other constitutions of the Em pire. It was desirable that the Gov eminent should take steps to liold'a con vention early after the war. 1

| MESSAGE FROM FRANC)?, Received May 20, D p.m. Paris, May 2(1. Paris, May 2(1. President Poineaire forwarded an Km pire Day message to King ticorge, conveying the good wishes of the peoples of (he kingdom of the Dominions and India, whose sons had come to fight side by side with the soldiers of France. His Majesty the King, in his reply, proclaimed the Empire's solidarity with i! e noble French nation.