GREETINGS TO NEW ZEALAND

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 87, 5 January 1918, Page 8

GREETINGS TO NEW ZEALAND

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM MR. LLOi'D GEORGE HOPES FOR VICTORY The Prime Minister has received: through the Governor-General, the following cablegram from the British Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George :-- "At the beginning of a new year i wish to send, on behalf of the War Cabinet, to the Government and people of New Zealand a message oi good will and confidence. U'e are now far on in the fourth year of war; despite many setbacks and many disappointments we aro also far on in the- path to victory. I have ho doubt if the Allies stand firm they will not only restore liberty to Europe, but give lasting peace to the world. In , the accomplishment of this great ' work no peoples will have played a greater part than those who are members of the British Commonwealth. Against their steadfast courage, the legions of Autocracy have cast themselves in vain, and the Empire which the militarists of Prussia persuaded themselves would crumble at a blow has proved itself the most united and most massive of the bulwarks of freedom because it is itself sprung from the eternal soil of freedom. I have good hopes that before this new yenr is past the purpose to which we have set our hands will have been completely achieved."

Mr. Massey's Reply. Mr. Massey has replied through tho Governor-General as follows:—. , "I desire, on behalf of the Government and..people of New Zealand, to thank you and the War Cabinet for your Now Year's message of good will and confidence, which will be greatly appreciated by tho citizens of the Dominion. Your opinion that we arc far on in tho path to victory is one in which Now Zealaiiders share, and coming from tho Prime Minister of tho United Kingdom the statement will bo hailed with additional pleasure, and will, serve to strengthen still more the , confidence already felt here. The people of New Zealand aro proud to think that in the colossal struggle of the three and a half years British citizens have taken, the leading part, and to-day the Empire is moro firmly united than at any period in its history, while its peoples are moro than ever determined to carry on to a victorious conclusion. AVe trust the Allies will stand together until a decisivo victory has been gained, and that no terms will he considered which, if agreed to, may result in anything other than a permanent peace, and at the same time be a salutary warning _ to covetous and unscrupulous nations in tho future." (Signed) W. F. MASSEY. '