May 25, 1916 
LAND & WATER 
3? 
met the Victoria League Committee and Council. Now 
the Victoria League has organised, for the duration of the 
war, the Oceana Club, at 21, Hill Street, Berkeley Square, 
primarily for convenience of women from the Dominions. 
Good must come of the mingling of the people of the 
British Isles with those from Canada. Want of know- 
ledge which is conducive to want of sympathy, gives place 
to a closer understanding. Canadians have discovered 
the charm of a restful, dignified England and her people. 
They have learned to appreciate that absence of self- 
assertion, self-praise and bustle which is essentially Eng- 
lish. They have admired the splendid ability and quiet 
power of the Englishwomen, who have been working, 
speaking, organising, for the public good for nearly two 
years. When war ends two thousand Canadian women 
will return to Canada to tell what England really is. 
Enghshwomen are interested in the enterprise, the 
courage, and the cheeriness of the Canadians ; their 
freshness and keenness ; even their new ways of doing 
things, if it be only packing Christmas gifts. They have 
learned, too, some lessons in geography. People at 
home have discovered with shame and confusion of face 
that to call a Canadian an American can only be wiped 
out in deep humility. 
And there are Canadians who have been able to make 
the story of the building of Empire a real thing to English 
hearers, for they can speak of ancestors who were United 
Empire Loyalists, and suffered all but death at the hands 
of the rebellious Colonists rather than be false to their 
Mother Country. In France and in Flanders their male 
descendants are lighting, or lying at rest. In England 
and in Canada the women watch and work and wait. 
What Empire Day Means 
By the Earl of Meath 
jk FTER fourteen years of constant labour on the 
/% part of the promoters of this "Empire Move- 
Z—m ment," the British Government at last 
.X JL.thought fit to reverse its policy of indifference, 
and has so far recognised it as to hoist the Union Jack 
this year over Government Buildings on Empire Day. 
It is difficult to understand why this recognition was not 
given years ago, especially as in the Dominions and Crown 
Colonies, the National Flag has for years flown from 
State Buildings on this day, while in some Overseas States 
the day has been made a statutory holiday. 
In 1914, the last year for which reliable figures can be 
obtained, over 19^ millions of British subjects observed 
" Empire Day." Of these some 9 J million were school- 
children. The object of the Empire Movement is 
the creation of good citizens, and especially the training 
of children in all the virtues which tend towards this 
ideal. Its aims are non-party, non-sectarian, non- 
aggressive, and non-racial. 
Its watchwords are Responsibility, Duty, Sympathy, 
and Self-sacrifice. It urges all its supporters " to love 
and fear God, to honour the King, to obfey the laws, 
to prepare to advance the highest interests of the Empire 
in peace and war, to cherish patriotism, to regard the 
rights of other nations, to learn citizenship, to follow 
duty, to consider duties before rights, acquire knowledge, 
to think broadly, to practise discipline, to subdue self, to 
work for others, to consider the poor and the suffering." 
Its spirit may partially be translated as the sub- 
ordination of selfish or class interests to those of the 
State and of the community, and the inculcation in the 
minds of all British subjects of the_ honourable obligation 
which rests upon them of preparing themselves, each 
in his or her own sphere, for the due fulfilment of 
the duties and responsibilities attached to the high 
privilege of being subjects of this mighty Empire. 
Each of the four words represents an idea, and one of 
vital importance to the well-being of the Empire. How 
overwhelming do the responsibilities attached to British 
citizenship appear, if only we consider what British 
citizenship means ! " Responsibility," not only for the 
proper self-government of some 60 millions of white 
people, but also (that which is a much more difficult 
problem) for the just and beneficent government of some 
350 millions of dependent coloured fellow subjects. 
How imperative is the call of " Duty " sounding in the 
ears of all to whom is accorded the privilege of calling 
themselves citizens of the British Empire. How iin- 
possible for such to neglect that call without exposing 
the Empire and themselves to most serious dangers ! 
Is not imperial duty a vain dream without " Sympathy " 
between the different peoples, creeds and classes who 
constitute the Empire ? And is true sympathy possible 
without the presence in the minds of the people of a sub- 
conscious, it may be dormant, but still an ever-present 
willingness to sacrifice self, if need should arise, in the 
general interests of the Empire ? 
These four watchwords express the spirit which will 
insure the defence, honour and well-being of the whole 
Empire, but still more do they express the living spirit 
which should preserve it from the fate which has befallen 
the empires of the past 
The love of personal and political freedom, the religious 
faith which exalts moral character, and a just considera- 
tion of the interests and well-being of other nations^ 
these principles have in the main distinguished the British 
Empire, have contributed to its growth and given assur- 
ance of its permanence. They have also in a special 
manner won for it the respect of other nations — more 
than the vastness of its territory and its material power. 
It is therefore by keeping the watchwords of the " Empire 
Movement " in continual remembrance that not only the 
integrity and true welfare of the Empire will be main- 
tained, but that the Empire will become the leader of 
international concord, and the guardian of the best 
interests of humanity. 
Is it too much to say that the spirit of the. movement 
has already influenced in some small degree the united 
peoples of the British Empire, and that the marvellous 
loyalty and self-sacrifice displayed by all the subjects 
of the King-Emperor during the present war may not be 
entirely unconnected with the Empire Day ? 
Loyalty, patriotism, obedience to lawful authority, 
moral thoughtfulness and love of humanity, fidelity to 
duty, and readiness for sacrifice — these are some of the 
virtues which the Empire Movement desires to see instilled 
into the minds of the young, believing that through these 
and similar virtues good citizens are made. 
It urges the State, public education authorities, teachers 
and parents to neglect no material aids to the cultivation 
of the civic virtues, and advocates that every school shall 
be provided with a full-sized flagstaff and Union Jack, 
with a large wall map of the Empire, showing its 
place^in the world, and therefore its opportunities, 
and responsibilities of service, and with a portrait of 
the King. 
It regards these as only outward aids to daily systematic 
instruction of the young in all matters that tend to the 
creation of good citizens, looking to parents and teachers 
not to Leave this important branch of education to chance, 
but to concentrate on it their best abilities and energies. 
The " Empire Movement " has developed a literature of 
no small interest, which can be obtained from the Secre- 
tary, at 83, Lancaster Gate, London. It appeals to all 
citizens of the vast Empire which owes allegiance to 
King George V. to unite, at all events in thought and 
feehng, and to think imperially, not with boastful arro- 
gance, but with the modesty that befits true greatness 
(even though it should be the case that the time has not 
yet arrived to federate politically), and to foster all those 
noble virtues which may make them worthy of the gi-eat 
responsibilities and duties which Providence has thought 
fit to place on their shoulders. 
Finally, it advocates an annual popular celebration 
of Empire Day .on some date not far removed from 
May 24th, the anniversary of the birthday of oUt late 
adored Sovereign Queen Victoria, during whose beneficent 
reign of 63 years the Empire grew to its present vast 
dimensions, as well as in freedom, wealth, strength, 
civilisation, and happiness. She was herself a type of 
noble Christian womanhood, and illustrated in her 
personal character and in her reign those elements which 
made the true glory of our Empire, and will be the 
stable foundation of its permanence. 
