LOOKING AHEAD

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1930, Page 8

LOOKING AHEAD

FUTURE OF THE EMPIRE. DUTIES OF A CITIZEN m WELLINGTON, October 12. “When you ure purciiasing goods try lo purchase guo-us Unit are untile u. your i/ivn. country, and if they are iiol a\affable try lo purchase goods that, come front countries that ti ade with jour country, and, ni'.st of all ol course, tstajuls Great Britain—tlie Mother LOuutry.. Unljess \Oj show our patriotism in these tilings as our Joreia,tilers aid in the great battle on the sea as well as on tlie land, we are not true natriots.”

These remarks were made by his Excellency the Governor-General (Loro Hledisloe,) at the presentation of Navy League and school flags lit fchots College on Saturday afternoon. “What do these Hags mean F’ said his. Excellency. “All those who read the history of the Battle ol Trafalgar will realise one tiling that the Union Jack) .means —what Nelson saud on that occasion, ‘England expects every man this day to do his duty.’ That is just what the Empire expects of her sons and her daughters to-day. What is our duty? It is, first of all, to God, second, to our King, and third, to our fellow men and women, and that duty, boys, i s going to lie prcsisingly on your shoulders in the future. New Zealand and the Empire are going to be what you and others like vou choose to make it.”

""‘Remember that tlie burden ol Empire in days to come- is not going to rest mainly, or solely, upon the Old Country. She has done her part in tlie past, and, with God’s help, will do her part in the future. Tt is up to you to help her in the task, and to do vour duty.

“Wo arc told that the Navy League lias other ambitions than tlie mere maintenance of an efficient and sufficient Navy,” continued his Excellency “It has ambitions to protect the trade of this country and the trade of the Empire. Many of you" boys will go into trade and industry in days to come, and if we are going to keep our Empire together, il New Zealand is going to be a prosperous country, it is very necessary that those who go into trade and industry should be properly equipped for tlie task, and it is very necessary also for all of us, whether we are in the trade or not, to foster trade within the Empire tc the best of our ability. There are some groat men representing not only the Old Country, conferring to-day in London as to bow best to promote tlie trade routes of the Empire in the interests, not. of one part only, hut of every part of it. Surely it is our duty to our fellow men and women never to do anything without considing what effect that action will have on others. In that connexion let us consider how we spend what little money we have in these depressed times. You may, by spending carelessly, do so much harm, not merely to your country, but to other people, especially to those who are out of employment. “You hoys have opportunities which your parents and grandparents had not. You are being instructed in this school in such a way as will make you useful citizens, godly citizens, and citizens who will he all equipped for your task in life’s work. Take evei-y advantage of itj. Riemember that education is drawing out of you for your own good, and for that of your fellows, what is inherent in you. Make the best of those talents which God has endowed to you. Never lose an opportunity to improve ourselves for the battle of life.”