OUR EMPIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21225, 23 September 1940, Page 6

OUR EMPIRE

FOR WHAT WE FIGHT IDEALS AND ACHIEVEMENTS HEAD SPEAKS TO OLD BOYS An inspiring address to old boys of the Hamilton High School, many of whpm are on the eve of active service in the war, was given by the school headmaster, Mr H. D. Tait. at the reunion dinner on Saturday night. He spoke of the significance of the British ideals of nationhood and Empire which so many former pupils of the school were assisting to maintain. “It was with a thrill of pride that we just heard read the list of old boys serving with the forces,” said Mr Tait. “It is a great deal to us to know that the Empire means so much to these boys that they are willing to make such a tremendous sacrifice to maintain its ideals.” Mr Tait, referring to the inspiring growth of the British Commonwealth of Nations, said that the Empire had spread over track and

sea lane, to islands and continents. Pioneers, traders, adventurers, and missionaries had been its architects. "Greatest Empire Of All’* “It is during phases of our history such as the present that we ought to think that our Empire is the greatest of all time,” Mr Tait added. Governments built upon principles of tyranny and oppression had, in the past, flourished, decayed, and perished. From those past empires which had decayed Great Britain had learned her lesson and unity with the Dominions had achieved the greatest political bond of all time. The only binding power in the British Empire was allegiance to the Crown for the Governments of the independent dominions held their individual fates in their own hands. They worked together harmoniously, not only for their own gain, but also for the peace and advancement of mankind. Thus was created a commonwealth which was certainly the * bulwark of civilisation. Mr Tait referred to the attempts by foreign powers to overthrow the Empire and he recalled how Great Britain had smashed the designs of Phillip of Spain by crushing the Armada, how Louis XIV and Napoleon had been defeated, and how the nation had saved Europe from Teutonic kultur in the Great War. Brightest Chapter of History "We stand for freedom,” he added. Britain had wiped out slavery and piracy and championed religious toleration; and our seamen had mapped the seas so that men of all nations might sail in safety. “Britain’s treatment of backward people is the brightest chapter in our national history. There is the story of India; Egypt, Africa and the Pacific territories—an Empire history which stands as a tribute to the desire of all Britons to work for the betterment of mankind.” A German politician had said, Mr Tait recalled, that Great Britain was the only power in Europe which had never in history injured another country by annexing territory on the Continent. It was tne one nation where patriotism was not represented as a challenge to other peoples of the world. Britain had offered progress, freedom, and eternal peace, whereas in Germany discipline and self-sacrificing obedience were the ruling elements and the suffering of humanity meant nothing compared with service to the State.