It has often been said that sentiment plays s more important part than people suspect. in our national rebably sentimental reasons have to a great extent governed the keeping of May 24 ~the birthday of our Into Queen Victoria—as a public holiday all over the Colonies, whilst here in Koglaod the day until quite recently has been practically passed by. When one is some thousands of miles away from the old country any festival whicl makes one feel homey is sure to be popular, and for I think Greater Britainers all have a friendly feeling for Empire Day. Thaoks to the efforta of the Victoria League the children at any rate in the old count will, in future, look forward to the day also, aa the great success of this year's celebrations, more especially in provincial towns and country villages, will inspire them with fresh energy, and unless I'am much mistaken, we shall before very long have the day regarded 8 public holiday, even if it is not officially authorized as such. In Cheltenham, one of our greatest educa: tional centres, a very good entertainment was organized. By means of living pictures and effective scenery some ides was given them of what the term Greater limped of the wonders of India and Britsio rosily means. They had a
the snows of Cavada, and saw Britannia surrounded by her Colonies and depen doneies, all in native dross. Whether, if they ever yo to any of them and find the reality vastly different from the they will be disappointed, the future to reveal, but think the twentieth century child la sufficiently well educated to know that evea born Australians or New Zealanders are not black and that if Canaia is" land of snows in December the sun shines hotly there in July. So tha show could be given with impunity and the idea seems excellent, as one wants to teach the young to think largely of The Federal Conference fon education organized by the League of Empire, seems another step in the right direction; one only wonders that buchan assembly was not been called years a but. as Lord Tennyson—the Presid: of the League—said, it has taken a gre amount of thought and organization. Ho looks upon it. as a small beginning of what will be a great movement, tending fan it must—to the moral and intellectual development of the Empire and to the promotion of unity. The Conference, which is being held the Caxton Hall, Westminster, opened last Friday and ends to-day. The topics which have been most discussed are: "The interchange of teachers inspector! University ce-operation upon which subject Mr. Balfour spoke, more especially concerning graduate study and "the leavening of school curricula with Imperial themes." It seems to be "generally conceded that while our technical schools are perhaps the best in Europe our ordinary school system stil an immense deal to be d Teachers are kept in ons district, in one school, for years, and' have but little opportunity for gaining wider view of life. This soams the ory of the day the child' horizon! An Australian once remark. ed to me—and I think he was right—that an Englishman who had never been out of England was more narrow-minded than ao Australian who had never loft Australia. Most cortaialy the Australian would be more rosely to admit that be yet had something to learn, and he would be more thirsty Knowledge, which is always helpful. As the Conference has no oficial status io the manner that the Imperial Conference bad, it can do lit 1m suggest remedies, but as it is being attended by most of the educational authorities of the day and delegates from—I think—all the home Universities, and many which are very far afield, much that is recommended will most certainly be carried out,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.