EMPIRE DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1926, Page 1

EMPIRE DAY

LOYALTY OF NEW ZEALAND. MESSAGES FROM AIR COATES. WELLINGTON, May 24.' Flags were flown at Government and other public buildings to-day in celebration of the anniversary of limpire Day. Twenty-one guns were fired at noon. In response to a request by the editor of the London “Times,” Air Coates dispatched the following Empire Day message to London : A previous Empire Day issue of “The Times” contained a message in which Air AJassey, in his last public reference to this subject ,re-affirmed New Zealand’s faith in the Empire. It now has become my privilege as his successor to pledge the Dominion’s loyalty anew, and her fixed resolution to assist with all her power in the ti»ik of Empire-building. It will he my constant aim. to foster this policy in every possible way. This purpose can best be promoted by measures which will make the country increasingly stronger and more able to discharge her Imperial obligations. The development work upon which we are engaged will enable us to offer new homes to greater numbers of our kinsmen from the Alotherland, and wo invite them to come and share with us the work of-making this truly the Britain of the Southern Seas. The progress which can bo made with this design must depend mainly upon the unity of purpose with which it is pursued. Influences are at work to destroy the unity and impair the strength of the Empire. These must he exposed and combated. At tho same time wo must give great thought to those practical measures which will tend to strengthen union. Naval defence, migration, means of communication and mutually beneficial trade advancement policies, if given united attention from all parts of the Empire, will help to preserve our heritage and make it more than ever a power for good in the world more than ever before. “Empire Unity” should be the slogan of British citizens.

AD Coates responded as follows to a similar request from the editor of the “ Empire Alnil ” :

At a time when the heart of the Empire is • being assailed by those desirous of undermining the constitution. I should like on this anniversary of Empire Day to re-affirm the undiminished loyalty of New Zea-

land to the Crown. AVe will continue to do everything possible to strengthen the unity of the Empire, believing firmly that its basic principles of freedom, and democracy are too valuable to be violated without tho sternest resistance on the part of all patriotic British citizens.