NEW ZEALAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 20, 10 September 1914, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND.

The King's Message, TRIBUTE TO THE LOYALTY OF HIS PEOPLE, [Peb Press Association.] Wellington, September 9 At 8.30 this evening, the Prime Minister came into the House and stated that the Governor had just received a message from His Majesty the King, which he was anxious to deliver to the people, and he proposed to read it from the steps of Parliament Buildings. He (Mr Massey) moved that the House adjourn for a few' minutes to enable members to bo present. This course was adopted.

The Legislative Council also adjourned. There was a large gathering of legislators and the public at the main entrance to Parliament House, when at 8.35 His Excellency arrived, and announced that at eight o'clock that opening he had received the following message, which the King had been graciously pleased to ' send to the Governments and peoples of his selfgoverning Dominions, and which he desired to read to them:—

"To the Governments and peoples of my self-governing Dominions, —

"During, the past few weeks, the peoples of my whole Empire, at Home and overseas, have moved with one mind and, purpose to confront and ovor'chrow nn unparalleled assault upon the continuity of civilisation and the peace pf mankind. "The calamitous conflict is not of my seeking. My voice has been cast throughout on the side of peace. My Ministers earnestly strove to allay the causes of strife, and to appease the differences; with which my Empiro was not concerned. Had I stood aside, when in defiance of the pledges to which my kingdom was a party, the soil of Belgium was violated and her cities laid desolate; when the very life of the' French nation was threatened with extinction; I should have sacrificed my honor and given to destruction the liberties of my Empire and of mankind. "I rejoice that every part of the Empire is with me in this decision. The paramount regard for treaty faitli and the pledged word of rulers and peoples is the common heritage of Great Britain and of the Empire. My peoples in the self-governing Dominions have shown beyond all doubt that they whole-heartedly endorse the bravo decision which it was necessary to take. My personal knowledge of the loyalty and devotion of my oversea Dominions had led me to expect that they would cheerfully make the great efforts and bear the great sacrifices which have placed their services at my; disposal. It fills me. with gratitude, ,and I. am: proud to be able to show to! the "world that my peoples oversea orre as ■. determined 'as the 1, people of'.the'United Kingdom ' to prosecute a just cause, to a successful: "The Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Dominion of New Zealand have placed at, my disposal their naval forces, which have already rendered good service for the Empire. Strong expeditionary forces are being prepared in Canada, in Australia, and in Xew Zealand for servico at the front, and the "Union of South Africa has released all British troops and has undertaken important military responsibilities on its own account, the discharge of which will bo of the utmost value to the Empire. Newfoundland has doubled tlie number of its branch of the Royal Naval Reserve, and is sending a body of men to take part in the operations at the front. From the dominion and provincial governments of Canada large and welcome gifts of supplies are on their way for the use of both of my naval and military forces and for the relief of the distressed in the United Kingdom, which must inevitably follow in the wake of war.

"All parts of my oversea dominion have thus demonstrated in the most unmistakable manner the fundamental unity of the Empire, amidst all its diversity of situation and circumstances. —George, R. and I." At the conclusion of His Excellency's speech, Mr Massey addressed the people briefly. He said he was quite sure that everyone would agree that the message was worthy of the occasion, and that tho sentiment obtaining in New Zealand was common to tho whole Empire. He hoped and believed that the worst of the crisis was over, but they would see it through to tho end, though tho life and prosperity of every male subject was placed at the Empire's call. Cheers were then given for" the King and the Governor, and "God Save tho King" was sung, followed by further cheers.

THE DOMINION'S BRIGADES.

[Peb Press Association. 1 Wellington, September 9. In the House of Representatives to. night, when discussing the position of the men in the forts, the Minister for Defence said he desired to acknowledge the splendid way in which the members of the old naval brigades had come to the assistance of the country in the present crisis by manning the forts.