PRINCE'S MESSAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1920, Page 3

PRINCE'S MESSAGE

TONRW ZEALAND SCHOOLS?

„ Girls and boys of New Zealand, —I am very sorry indeed that my deiightful visit to Npw Zealand is over, and T want, bofore X le*.ve, to send you my best wishes and a few words of fare-

well. I have asked that this message may be read out fo you by your masters and teachers, and also that it may be published in my own handwriting in your School Jotirnal.

jRy first wish is to thank you all for giving- me such hearty welcomes everywhere. It has been a great pleasure to me to see so many of you gathered to meet N me ,and lam going to tell my father and mother, the King and Queen, what a fine and loyal future gen. eration is growing up in this Dominion. I also wn.pt to tell you what I feel about New Zealand. It is a splendid and beautiful country, and well worth your life-long devotion. Remember, however, that it is a young country, and that it depends upon you and upon those who follow you to carry on tile j amazing rate of progress that has been» achieved by your parents and grandparents, ' ' You have a splendid example before you in your fathers and brothers, and also in your mothers and sisters, who marched’and fought, or worked or en* jihred, to win our” well-earned victory in the great war. Remember always how much you owe to them, and try to do as much for the Empire in your own day as they %have done in theiis. trust that you may never he, called upon to fight in another war ; bht u u can serve tlm mighty Empire, which has kept you safe and sound, in times of peace by living straight and u.-cful lives and always, putting your King and Country, and your Flag)before everything else. There are 'Just three things that. T Avant you to near, in mind:— | (1) Never consciously say or do a dishonest thing. ' (2) Always remember other people’s interests when p rsuing /o’.ir own. (3) Play for the side and play the game. One last word. Please do not think of me as some one very distant who came to see you once and then forgot you for people nearer the Old Country. I love New Zealand and belong to it every bit as much as' you do yourselves. You, In’ civ Zealand girls and boys, are mv own British kith and kin, and I will never forget the wonderful first welcome which you gave me to my New Zealand home. I hope this message is not to say goodbye, but merely “au revoir.” i EDWARD P.