TO THE PEOPLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1920, Page 2

TO THE PEOPLE.

PRIME MINISTER’S NEW YEAR MESSAGE. AUCKLAND, Dec. 31. The Prime Minister sends the following New Year message to the people of the Dominion. : The old year, with all its trials and troubles, is gone. The New Year is with us. What it will bring to New Zealand no man can accurately predict. It is quite certain, however, that we shall still Slave difficulties. As in the ; previous year, when they have been surmounted/so it will be again. The determination and tenacity which saw British citizens right through the long years of the war will see us through any trouble which we may be called upon to face during the next twelve months. The recent elections have cleared the political atmosphere, and given tie people of New Zealand great confidence in themselves and in each other. Apar altogether from party politics the great majority have declared their lovaltv and enthusiasm for King anti Empire, and a policy of progress and development within the Dominion. Such being the case, our duty is clear. Whether as men entrusted with the management of public affaiis, oi as private citizens, all classes must work whole-heartedly together for the common good, remembering that as a house divided against itself cannot stand, so a country divided against itself cannot

P I know perfectly well that it is impossible to avoid differences of opinion in minor matters, but there should be only one opinion with regard to essentials. There should be no two opinions about the necessity for making an keeping the country prosperous, so that we may be able to meet our very heavy financial obligations without hardship or inconvemenco or abou the principle of doing our duty to .the Empire in peace, as well as ve did i war. If we are successful in these respects there should be little difficiil . in regard tp other matters, however important and however necessary some of them may be. In one of his poems, Kipling ha> vei> concisely summarised what should >e the policy of a young country such as ours in the process of development, where he says:— Keep ye the peace. Be swift u »

obedience. Clear the lands of evil, drive the ioac and bridge the fords, Make ve sure to each his own that re reap where he has sown, By the peace among your peoples, let men know ye love the Lord, On tins occasion the people of Ne« Zealand are enjoying the festive season with greater zest than for several years past, and with good reason. The black clouds of war which for long hung over British countries have disappeared, and the sun of peace and prosperity is again shining upon a world which has commenced to recover from, though not to forget, the sacrifices and sorrows of the last five years. In thjs country particularly, W? have much to he thankful for, and the bjossings of peace are probably appreciated m'qre than pver

before. But there is still much work to be done in the way of meeting our responsibilities} arising froin the war, wluph, to he successful, necessitates the e>.eicise of energy and co-operation by tile whole of the people of Npw Zealand. A country worth fighting for is worth working for, apt) its Interests must come before personal interest or any. thing else. Country should be first every tjpic- Eet us avoid quibbling and bickering over cpmparatiyp trifles, and make tlie best possible uj,e of pup opportunities ;uu| talent with which Nature lias endowed' us.

My message, therefore, to my fel-low-citizens of tlie. Dominion on this first day of what I hope will be a bright New Year for all, is to forget minor differences, make goqd psp pf thp nippy advantages we possess, and take as guiding principles loyalty, industry, and progress—principles which, if properly acted up to, will within a comparatively short period place this country in a sounder and more satisfactory position than it lias ever yet occupied.