THE PREMIER SAILS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1921, Page 4

THE PREMIER SAILS.

MESSAGE TO’ THE PEOPLE. ■ CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE By Telccraph.—Press Association. I Auckland, Last Night. The Premier sailed for London on Saturday on board the Niagara. Prior to his departure Mr. Massey left the following message for the people of Nfew Zealand: “On the eve of my departure for England to attend the Imperial Conference, to which duty imperatively calls me, I desire once again to 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 the constitution o( Great Britain, which had given us the liberties and privileges we enjoy as citizens of the glorious Empire of which we form a part, and to which we are all proud to belong. By the conduct and good faith of her citizens, during the past seven years more particularly, New Zealand Stands in the forefront of the world’s young democracies as an example, and 1 believe I am right in say-* ing, as an inspiration also to the sister Dominions and dependencies of the Empire. / “We have won our way through years of unexampled perils, and difficulty, and although days of financial stress and trouble inay seem to be coming upon us, I am confident that the same sturdy courage, cheerful faith, and settled purpose that enabled us to carry on through the trying years of seemingly unending war, help us to triumph over the lesser worries that may trouble us for a time. Just as 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 disperse and the sun will shine again upon us with undiihinished brilliance if we are true to ourselves and exercise that needed industry, thrift and economy which are the essentials to a quick recovery from the depression which just at present is casting its shadow over us. By renewed industry and application, by whole-hearted service in the common weal, each citizen doing his and her ‘bit’ to increase production, and rendering loyal service to the State, we shall, with Divine blessing, witness an early return of that prosperity which we have so long enjoyed in the past. “I leave New Zealand wiLi the fullest confidence in its people and its future, rejoicing in their loyalty to the great ideals of the Empire, and trusting to be able to render efficient service as New Zealand’s representative at the Imperial Conference, the decisions at .which are likely to be fraught with momentous consequences to the future of the British peoples . the world over. I am thankful to feel it may be in my power to further also the interests of the Dominion which honors me with its confidence and upon which I pray Divine blessing may rest, so that it may, indeed, be worthy of its claim to be ‘God’s Own Country/—W. F. Massey.’*