NEW TEAK MESSAGES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1921, Page 2

NEW TEAK MESSAGES

FROM GOVERKOH-GENBIUL.

[liY TELEGRAPH —I’ER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

AUCKLAND,. Dee. 31. ! The Governor-General, Lord Jelli- ; * coe, sends the following New Year message to the. people of New Zealand:On this, the tirst occasion of spending the opening day of a new year in New Zealand as his Majesty’s representative, I desire to convey to the people of the Dominion the season’s greetings and warmest good wishes " for their future health, happiness, and prosperity. Although we cannot yet claim that full acquaintance with the country, especially its inland districts, which i we so much desire, and which it is our ! intention to gain, her Excellency and ; I have seen quite sufficient of the Do- ■ minion to hav e been greatly impressed - by the Inanity of its scenery, the im- ■ mense possibiltics of its future develop- | ment and prosperity, and the general | air of ha pi ness and well-being which is r i prevalent.

Further we have seen'in every uuection the strongest evidence of that loyalty to the Throne and the Empire for | which New Zealand has even been renewed .and which the lapse of time I sednis continually to strengthen. We I are most deeply grateful for the warm and kindly welcome which has been exI tended to us, and to our family, since ' our arrival in the Dominion, and we look forward with very real pleasure to the period of our sojourn amongst you. T feel confident that the difficulties which have inevitably arisen as the re- . suit of the great upheaval consequent lon the world war, will he overcome in 'that spirit of determination and comradeship which led to victory, and I ! earnestly trust' that the years before us will bring to all peace and prosperity. Kia Ora. JELLI COE, Governor-General. FROM PRIME MINISTER. WIFILTjINGTON, De c 31. The following is the Prime Minister’s New Year message to the citizens of Now Zealand.

During the past year the Dominion has experienced many difficulties, but at the same time we have had much to be thankful for. The country as a whole has lieen prosperous, and is prosperous to-day. Nevertheless, there are clouds on the horizon, and indications of a change which, if it comes, may be fraught with hannfud consequences to the community. Yet it will be our own fault if serious hardships or inconvenience befall us. United, we faced the difficulties of the war period With grim determination, and triumphed. So it will he again in this new year if we display the same spirit in dealing with the less serious troubles that loom ahead.

;I do not, however, under-esthnate their dangers, whether financially, commercially. or industrially. At the present time the financial position demands most careful handling, and every possible means should be used so that trade depression may he avoided. If we need to borrow, the money we require hoitld if possible, l>e raised in our own country, and the financial stability of the Dominion thereby maintained. Energy and determination are national qualities which the immediate future demands, and if these were forthcoming the clouds will pass away harmlessly. If on the other hand, we - allow ourselves to he split up into sections, each antagonistic and jealous of the other, we run the risk of disaster. A house divided against itself cannot stand. A community divided against itself cannot prosper. Industry and grit built up this country and raised it to its present proud position in the Empire. Tf we abandon the well tried methods and principles which have stood to our race in the days gone past, and give heed to the Communistic or Bolshevistic doctrines which are to-day being preached in different countries of the world, not bven excluding bur own w e shall deserve to reap the fruits of our want of wisdom. I am confident, however, that the good sense of our citizens will prevail. But I do earnestly ask that all right thinking New Zealanders will use their good sense and judgment now, and not permit those who, in the hour of the country’s need, declined to do their fair share, to become a power for mil in the community. The past, glorious as it was in man'respects is gone. The present is with us, and the future depends on the us? which we make of the present. Much has been done in the way of development since Europeans first became established in New Zealand, but there is much more to be done than has yet been attempted. The pioneers brought with them courage, independent', and self-reliance, qualities which deserve to be fostered, and which are necessary to

the building up of a strong nation, : such as its well-wishers desire New Zealand to become. We in New Zealand have opportunities seldom vouchsafed to the people, even of any British country. Our climate is th c healthiest in tile world, and probably the most pleasant. The producing capacity of the Dominion is unequalled. Our ! people are, with few exceptions, industrious and energetic, loyal and patriotic. New Zealanders are probably the purest Anglo-Saxon population in the British Empire. Nature intended New Zealand to be a white man’s country’, and it must be kept as such. The strain of the Polynesian will be no detriment. The Dominion is able to carry many times its present population. There is nothing in the way of nationhood to which she may not aspire. It is Si matter for extreme gratification that the loyalty of the people of this country to the British Crown is beyond question, and that any attempt to interfere, with the integrity of the Empire would receive very little—if any support in this Dominion. The New Year upon which we are now entering, may test in no small measure our courage and tenacity in connexion with the industrial vad financial life of the community, but with each and everyone pulling his hill weight in the' national boat, all v ill la? well. To my fellow citizens I most cordially wish happiness and prosperity in UM. . W. F. MASSEY.