PREMIER’S PARTING MESSAGE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2265, 19 April 1921, Page 3

PREMIER’S PARTING MESSAGE

CONFIDENCE IN TIIE DOMINION’,S FUTURE, GREAT PROBLEMS TO SOLVE. Auckland, April 17. The Premier sailed for London aboard the Niagara. Prior to his departure he left the following message for the people of New Zealand : >

“On the eve of my departure for England to attend the Imperial Conference, to which duty imperatively calls me, I desire to once again thank the people of New Zealand for the confidence and trust they have reposed in me during now nearly nine years in which I have been head of the New Zealand Government. To me it is a source of profound gratification to know that all through and since the war it has been my privilege to represent a people practically united in their loyalty and attachment to the throne and constitution of Great Britain, which has given us the liberties and privileges we enjoy as citizens of this'glorious Empire of which we form a part, and to which we are all proud to belong, by the conduct and good faitli of her citizens during the past seven years more particularly, New Zealand stands in the forefront of the world's young democracies and example, and I believe I am right in saying, a cheer and inspiration; also to her sister Dominions and the dependencies of the Empire. “We have won our way through years of unexampled peril and difficulty, and, although days of finaneial stress and trouble may seem to be coming upon us. I am confident the same sturdy courage, cheerful faith, and settled purpose that enabled us to carry on through the trying years of the seemingly unending war will help us triumph over the lesser worries that may trouble us for a time. Just as the unity of counsels and an undivided front enabled us to persevere undauntedly through the great world war, so I am satisfied we can and shall rise superior to the troubles of the present. The clouds will dis-„ perse and the sun will shine again upon us with undimiiiished brilliance. If we are true to ourselves and exercise that needed industry, thrift and economy which are essentials to quick recovery from depression, which just at present is casting its shadow over us, by renewed industry and application, by whole-hearted service in common weal, each citizen doing his and her ‘bit’ to increase production and rendering loyal service to the State, we shall witiPdivine blessing witness an early return of that prosperity which we have so long enjoyed in the past.

“I leave New Zealand with the fullest confidence in its people and its future, rejoicing in their loyalty to the great ideals of the Empire, and trusting to lie able to render efficient 'service ns New Zealand’s representative at the Imperial (.‘(inference, the decisions at which are likely to be fraught with momentous consequences to the future i,f the British people* the world over. I am thankful to feel it may lie in my power to further also th* interests of the Dominion which honours me with its confidence, and upon which I pray the divine blessing may rest so that it may indeed be worthy of its claim to be •Gods’ Own Country.’ W. F. MASSEY.”

' ■ NAVAL DEFENCE. Auckland, April 10. Bu.sino.sß to lie dealt with at the Imperial Conference was again referred to by the Prime Minister today. One of the most important matters to be discussed, he said, would be that of naval defence, especially in the Paeilie. There were people who said the next storm centre would be the Pacific. Whether this would be so he did not pretend to say, but we would have to go through another war. It might not be for ten, twenty, or forty years, and it behoved the Empire to be ready for it when it did come. He was not going to commit the country to heavy expenditure on anything that could be avoided, but the time was coming when we must assist the United Kingdom in keeping up an Imperial Navy. As far as the Government's policy was concerned New Zealand would do her full share in the of the Imperial Navy. Mr Massey, replying to the commercial travellers’ farewell, said that they had played an important part in the history of the Dominion. There was far greater work for them to do. The Empire had to be kept together at all costs. Only by the unswerving loyalty of the community could this be accomplished. Commercial travellers were propagandists. He would like them to impress upon the people that the future of the Empire depended upoA naval defence, and that it was essential that maritime connections should be maintained. The time would come when the Dominion must assist the Mother Country in the maintenance of an Imperial Navy. The policy must he to do as much as possible. He thought New Zealand would have and maintain her own ships as protection for her commerce.