PRIME MINISTER.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17122, 18 April 1921, Page 6

PRIME MINISTER.

FAREWELL message to the PEOPLE. "THE CLOUDS WILL DISPERSE." (PEESS ASSOCIATION'. TELEGRAM.) AUCKLAND, April 17. The Prime Minister (Mr Mas sty) sailed for London by tho Niagara yesterday afternoon. Prior to his departure ho .left tho fallowing wessngo for the people of New Zealand: — On the evo of my departure for England to attend tho Imperial Conference, to which duty imperatively calls me, I desire, once again to tliank the peoplo of New Zealand for tho confidence and trust thoy have reposikl in me during the nearly nine vcars in which 1 have been liond of the New Zealand Government. To me it is a source of profound gratification to know , that all through and since the war it has been my privilege to represent a people practically united in their lovolty and attachment to the fhrono m'ld Constitution of Great Britain, which has given us tho liberties and privileges which we enjoy as citizens of that glorious Empire of winch wo form part, and to which we are nil proud to belong. By the coiiuuct and good laitn. of her citizens during tho jiast seven years nioi'o particularly, Zenland stands in tho forefront of the world's young democracies in example, and, 1 believe 1 am right in saying, a cheer and inspiration also to the sister Dominions and_ dependencies of the Empire. Wo have won pur way through years of unexampled peril and diiiiculty, and although days of financial stress and trouble may seem to be coming upon us, I am confident that tiio sam& sturdy oourage, cheery faith, and settled purpose that enabled us to carry on through the trying years ot the seemingly unending war, will ' help us to triumph over lesser worries that may trouble ub for a time. Just as unity of counsels and an undivided front enabled us to persevere undauntedly through the great, world war, so X am satisfied tnat we can and shall ri§e superior to the troubles of the present. Tho clouds will dispersef and tho sun will shine again upon us with. undiminished bniliance if we are true to oiircelves, and exercise that needed industry, thrift, antl economy which are essentials to a quick recovery from the depression which just b.t present is casting its shadow over us. By . renewed industry and application, by whole-henrted service in the common weal, each citizen 'doing his and her bit _to increase' production, and rendering loyal service to the State, we shall, with the Divine blessing, witness ttn early return of prosperity which we have so long enjoyed the past. I leave New Zealand with the fullest confidence in its people and its future, rejoicing in their loyalty to the great ideals of the Empire, anq trusting to be able to render efficient service as New Zealand's representative at the Imperial Conference, the decisions at winch are likely to be fraught with momentous "consequences to tho futurp of the British peoples the world ovpiv I an l thankful to'feci that it may bo in my power to further also the interests of the Dominion, which honours me with- its confidence, and upop which I nrky tho Divino blessirig may rest, so that it' may indeed be warthy pt its eliym to be God s Own Country ' W. F. MASSEY.