SPIRIT OF EMPIRE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4717, 27 June 1924, Page 3

SPIRIT OF EMPIRE.

KINSHIP AND TRADITION. MR. MASSEY’S IDEAL. During his recent visit to Great uriiani the Prime Minister (Mr W. F. Massey) acceded to a request by the British Gramophone Company to deliver a short address on the British Empire for the purpose of permanent record on the gramophone. The matrix of the address has been presented to the British Museum, where the record of the message of the King and Queen is also preserved. A copy of the record was received from England on Tuesday (states the “Dominion”), and a trial showed that the address is reproduced very clearly. “I propose,” said Mr Massey, “to address to you a few thoughts on the British Empire. Its far-flung territories comprise one-fourth of the land surface of the globe. Its population numbers approximately four hundred and fifty millions, of whom a very large majority differ from us of the Anglo-Saxon races in blood, language, and colour. These people, like ourselves, glory in their British nationality, and we hold the Empire as a sacred trust no less for .them than fior ourselves. The pages of history are rich with the records of deeds that won the Empire, of brave and noble acts performed on sea and land, in war and peace. The fundamental principles of freedom, justice, and independence have long been deeply implanted in our race, and to British citizens I want to stress with all the emphasis at my command what a priceless heritage is our to-day. It is for us to preserve it untarnished and to hand it on to succeeding generations not only inviolate, but greater and more influential in everything that makes fior the good of humanity. The Dominions and Dependencies of the Empire are linked to the Motherland by ties of .blood, kinship, and tradition. These ties were cemented by the poignant sacrifices made in the Great War.” After referring to the work of the Imperial Conference, Mr Massey added : “There is no royal road to prosperity. It must be by industry and ha'd work on the part of each and every one. By this means will the Empire fulfil what 1 believe to be its great mission—to spread justice, knowledge, and peace into the darkest corners of the earth. With the blessing of Divine Providence, with wise statesmanship on the part of its rulers, loyalty on the part of its people, the British Empire will last for all time—the greatest the world has ever r,een —the united nations of Britain. one King, one Flag, one Empire,” “No easy hope or lies shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice of body, will, and soul. There is but one path for all, For each one life to give. Who stands if freedom fall ? Who dies if England live ■”