The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1914. THE KING'S MESSAGE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 90, 11 September 1914, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1914. THE KING'S MESSAGE.

At a time like the present, when tlie loyalty of every part of the British dominions has stirred the hearts of the citizens of the Empire to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, and is exhibiting itself in the great sacrifices they are making in a just and righteous cause, the message from his .Majesty the King, which was read by his Excellency the Governor from tlie steps of ll'arliamer.t Buildings on Wednesday evening, wiil assuredly be heartily welcomed by ai! to whom it was addressed. The sentiments expressed by his Majesty ere, iii Mr. Massey said, thoroughly worthy of the occasion, and they will make a deep impression in every part of tin Empire. It will readily he understood how poignant must be the grief of the King that the calamitous conflict has taken place, for no one questions that in his wholehearted desire for peace he did all that was possible to avert the outbreak <A hostilities, and that his ministers were equally earnest in their endeavors to allay the causes of strife. At the same time, so highly is the honor of a pledg-; ( esteemed by the British nation that ti sacrifice it would be the death blow to the prestige of the Empire, so that in j recognising in a generous manner the hearty endorsement given by the peoples of the self-governing dominions to fi'i decision to uphold at all cost the paramount regard for treaty faith and th-> pledged word olj the country, King (korge has struck a keynote that will I vibrate throughout the whole of his dominions. British freedom and justice are vivid realities, and unceasing enemies to duplicity and oppression. In Xew Zealand and other of tlie self-go-verning dominions the glorious hcritag: of freedom is regarded in a far greater and more concrete manner than in thi Homeland, and it is this noble sentiment I that operates with such astounding force [ as a strong link in the Empire's bond of unity whenever the' call' for help is heard, or even when an offer of assistance may be deemed to be of service. It is not surprising, therefore, to fin 1 that King George not only rejoices at the loyalty of tlie dominions, but is grateful for the spontaneous and prrctical manner in which that loyalty bos been so conspicuously exhibited. That his Majesty is filled with justifiable pride ( at being able to show the t.'orld that his oversea children are as determined as the people of tlie United Kingdom t i prosecute a just cause to a successful issue is only natural, and the gracious words in which he has expressed his overflowing feelings are alike a tribute to his goodness of heart and his affection for those who have proved their true British manhood by rallying rour.d the Hag. The ready response of each of the dominions has fully demonstrated that the Empire is one with the Homeland in her troubles as well as in her rejoicings. If it were possible to adequately guage the actual effect of this solidarity, the world would be all th?. more impressed with the might of tho Empire, but there is no doubt that it has already had a great effect, and as time goes on this effect will be all the more apparent. Throughout Xew Zealand, and doubtless in the sister dominions, the King's message will act as a stimulus to even greater sacrifice anil will evoke the response of "God save the King and the Empire!"