THE PRINCE’S MESSAGE!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2135, 1 June 1920, Page 2

THE PRINCE’S MESSAGE!

TO THE CHILDREN

The-following message from (lie Prince of Wales to the school children of New Zealand was read to the pupils at the local school on the children re-assembling yesterday ihorning. In the ease of (lie younger children (he meaning of the message was explained by the teachers: —

“Girls and Boys of New Zealand. —I am very sorry indeed Unit my delictil'llitl visit to New Zealand is over, and I, want, before I leave, to send you my best wishes and a few words of farewell. 1 have asked that this message may be read on( to you by your masters and teachers, aiyd also that it may be published in my own handwriting' in your School .Journal. My 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 me, and I am going to tell my father and mother, the King and Queen, what a tine and loyal future

generation is growing up in this Dominion. I also want (o (ell 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 the amazing rate of progress that has been achieved by your parents and grand-parents. You have a splendid example before yon in your fathers and brothers, and also in your mothers and sisters, who marched and fought, or worked and endured, 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 theirs. I trust that you may never lie called upon to fight in another war; hut you can serve the mighty Empire, which has kept yon safe and well, in times of peace by living straight and useful lives and always putting your duty to your King.yonr country .and your flag before everything else. There are just three thingwhich 1 want you to hear in mind:— (1) Never consciously say or do a dishonest thing; (2) always remember oilier people’s interests when pursuing your own; (3) play for the side and piny 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 h every bit as much as you do yourselves. You, New Zealand girls and hoys, are my 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 good-bve. but merely hut revohv — EDWARD IV'