EMPIRE DAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2777, 23 May 1916, Page 7

EMPIRE DAY

MESSAGES FROM THE PRIME

MINISTER

TO BRITONS IN OTHER LANDS

British residents in California ' are holding a groat demonstration on I.mpire Day at Los Angeles. The celebration has been organised by the Caledonian Club in that city, and they ti.ve engaged for it a building, the Shrue Auditorium, with a seating capacity for EOOO people. In-the assemblage /will be not only English, : Scots, Irish, Canadians. New Zealanders, and Australians, but also Frenchmen, Belgians, Italians, Serbians, Montenegrins, Russians, and-Jap-anese—Britons from many parts of the Empire, with representatives of all their Allies,. To this meeting the Prime Minister was asked by the president of Hie Caledonian Club to send a message. In making his request the president of the club wrote as follows:—"We all know the gallant deeds of the New Zealand soldiery, the magnifioent benefactions for relief purposes of the New Zealand people, Jhe high courage and dauntless patriotism of the entire Dominion. "Sou. hardly realise the bitter fight we hiLve had in this city, now numbering -5-ia.OOO people, against virulent German propaganda. I am writing to leading men in the Homeland and in all the self-gov-erning dominions for just such a message'as lam requesting from you,. ai.d when presented-together at-such a gathering these greetings will', give to the people of the United States an inspiring proof of British solidarity." Mr. Massey's message was as follows;—

"Though separated from America by many leagues of ocean New Zealand joins most cordially with the sons and daughters of Britain who are celebrating British Kmpiro Day in sunny California. In whatever part of tho world British people are to .be found to-day they are one m heart and. sympathy, one in love for tho land of their , fathers, one in pride of Empire, one' in their desiro to keep flying the grand old flag—the emblem of liberty and freedom and righteousness —which to-day waves over a peoplo more closely. .united than at any . time in all their history, and more determined than over to stand together for all the sacred privileges handed down to them by heroio ancestors. "To-day, after two, years .of the bloodiest and most exhausting war the world has ever known they are more keenly resolved than ever to do their full share in securing victory for their Empire and its gallant Allies. New Zealand, though one of the youagest mem-bers,-of'the great Imperial family, has freely given of her best and bravest for the, peat causes in which we are engaged, and to-night sends her message across the Pacific to the huge gathering of our kith and kin assembled in the Shrine Auditorium Stand fast for the right! God bless the Empire! God save the. King! "(Signed) W. : F. MASSEY, • "Prime Minister." Mr. Massey has also 6ent a message to tho paper, "Land and Water." Tho request for this messago oaine by cablegram in the following terms—"'Land and Water' will publish special Five Nations Number on Empire Day, and is arranging for individual messages from Prime Ministers of the Five. Nations. Should greatly • appreciate message, from you on what,, New Zealand is ioing to win tlhe war and to consolidate the Empire." ,-... ■ ' In response to this, request, Mr. Massey sent, the following message:— ~ "In the cause of liberty and free, dom, for which Britain has drawi the sword,, our Dominion's sons are taking their place in the fighting line, and will continue to do so until final and decisive victory comes. Fifty-five thousand sturdy New Zealanders have already responded to" the call of duty. More are coming, and reinforcements will regularly go forward. ,

"On- this anniversary of Empire Day the world beholds the British nation more firmly united than at any time in, its past history. Reverses, when they occur, servo: only to strengthen our do, termination to win this war at all costs, and New Zealand, along with the other oversea Dominions, taking pride in her loyalty and devotion to King and country, will not relax her efforts now or after the .war -to. insure for all time -the safety and integrity of the Empire. , "(Signed) ■ .W. F. MASSEY,' "Prime Minister."