SALUTING THE FLAG.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2201, 27 May 1908, Page 1

SALUTING THE FLAG.

CEREAIONY AT AIANGAPAPA

SCHOOL: ; As Alonday was a school holiday the ceremony of “saluting the flag” to commemorate Empire Day took place at the Alangapapn school yes- ■ terdav afternoon. As rain was falling the addresses were given in the class room, about 146 children being present. It was anticipated that all of the members of tho School Committee would be present, but the only visitors in attendance were Alessrs M. AlcLeod, chairman of the committee, and Mr-AY. L. Rees. In his address to the scholars Air Alalcolm AlcLeod said they had met to commemorate Empire Day and to salute the Union Jack because it was an emblem of the greatest empire the world had ever known. The Union Jack stood for freedom of Government and liberty which they enjoved ini every’ English country.. It stood also for Christianity; for the flag contained the cross of St. George of England; the cross of St. Andrew of Scotland and the cross of St. Patrick of Ireland. The Union Jack should be an inspiration to all to stand for liberty, just fee. and right. He lmd to apologise for the absence of Captain Warren and the Rev. F. AA T . Chatterton, who had been unable to . attend. The headmaster, Air Cole, said they all remembered keeping what was now Empire Day as the birthday of the late Queen AGctoria. AVhen. Queen Victoria died, the Government of New Zealand decided to still keep the day as “Empire Day” so that children could be told something about the great empire to which they belonged. The children hud as great a duty to perform as grown up people. They were at school to learn and a great deal of expense was necessary to keep the schools going and children should remember that all that expense was borne by the grown up people so that the children could become useful citizens of New Zealand and of tlio Empiro, Air AA r . L. Rees said Queen Arictoria was the greatest queen that ever sat upon a throne, and when, as a child, she was told she was going to be a queen told her mother 6kc was going to be a good child and a good queen. The Empiro had been built up since tho time of Alfred tlie Great, a i period extending over 1000 years. England. and Now Zealand had a great resemblance to each other as they were both Island countries and during Queen AUctoria’s life the Empire had grown to tho great size it was. The Empire could be likened to an acorn that grew into an oak tree, for like the acorn the British Empire had grown from *& smal) beginning to spread over every continent upon the earth—Tire great;-prin-ciples of Empire were, “truth” : they must not be afraid of the truth, for tho word of an Englishman should be his bond, aiid “duty.” They all knew of Nelson’s great command “England expects every man to do his duty,” and that great Admiral’s last words were “Thank God, I did my duty.” They should try to do their duty to themselves, their parents, teachers and country.- The flag of the British Empire was to be seen every where, and they should all try to do their duty to that flag as one of the cifizons of the great British Empire, If they attended to these great principles ' they would grow up to be useful men and women.

Air AlcLeod then called for three cheers for Air Rees. The children were then marched outside, where the Union Jack was flying on tho flagstaff, saluted the emblem ;and sang “God save the King.” On account of the rain no ceremony was observed at the Gisborne or Ivaiti schools,