GOODWILL MESSAGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1940, Page 6

GOODWILL MESSAGES

NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL

FRANCE, BELGIUM & HOLLAND SEND GREETINGS. BROADCAST FROM DAVENTRY LAST NIGHT. Messages of goodwill on the occasion of the commemoration of the signing of the Treaty oi Waitangi have been received by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, from the French. Belgian and Netherlands Governments. All were read at yesterday’s ceermony by the Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. The following is the message from the Prime Minister of France. M. Daladier: —"On this day when New Zealand commemorates with joy and pride the first centenary of her national existence, I am happy to express to you. on behalf of the French Government and people as well as in my own personal name, our warmest felicitations and our sincere wishes for our ally, this Dominion of New Zealand. whose achievements in the past are a pledge of her magnificent future."

The Belgian Government sent the following message: "On the occasion of the celebration pf the centenary of New Zealand. King Leopold's Government has pleasure in expressing its whole-hearted sympathy and that of the entire Belgian nation with this friendly Dominion and its Government. Belgium has admired the persevering efforts made by the leaders and the people of New Zealand to bring their country to the highest level of civilisation. Belgium has a warm recollection of the help rendered to her by the New Zealand people and of the generosity shown in a time of common trial. Relations between the people of New Zealand and the people of Belgium have always been cordial; both share the same ideals of liberty and have the highest regard for the labour of men; both give proof of an equal spirit of initiative; both are deeply attached to their national institutions. King Leopold’s Government earnestly hopes that relations between the two countries will continue in the future in the same spirit of sympathy and mutual understanding." The following message was received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands: “In view of the old ties of friendship and historical associations existing.now for a century between our countries, I wish to send to you my heartiest congratulations on this important day in the history of New Zealand."

BROADCAST ADDRESSES. Messages to New Zealand from Mr Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for the Dominions, Lord Bledisloe. a former Governor-General, and Mr W. J. Jordan, New Zealand's High Commissioner in London, were broadcast by Daventry last night. One of the keynotes of the addresses was the great encouragement given to the people of Great Britain in the present crisis by the spontaneous response of the Dominions. “Looking back over your past 100 years, one can see the practice and development of those very principles and ideals for which we are fighting today." said Mr Eden. After the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, there had come an ever-increasing degree of collaboration, which had further increased during the years, resulting in a strong, self-governing Dominion growing into full nationhood.

"Now, for the second time this century. the supreme test has come for the British Commonwealth,” said Mr Eden. The challenge had been thrown down. The answer had been given without hesitation, and the message that had come from the Dominions to Great Britain must have been a great comfort to all freedom-loving nations everywhere. It was this unity which had given tremendous confidente to the people of the United Kingdom, and it was pride in this unity which would enable them to endure the restrictions and hardships. and the grief and loss that was inevitable in war.

In sending greetings to the people of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe remarked that no part of the British Empire had less reason to bo ashamed of its history, for no country was better endowed by nature and by the presence of a fine and lovable native race. PEACE AND PROGRESS. Lord Bledisloe referred to the splendid part played in New Zealand's history by Archdeacon Henry Williams, who brought peace to the Maori people, and to Edward Gibbon Wakefield, whose vision had inaugurated a new conception of colonisation. He trusted that those going forward to the new century would prove worthy of the courage, enterprise, integrity of their forefathers, and of the faith in a higher power which had taken the country through many vicissitudes to the present relative position of stability, security and peace.

"I use the word 'relative' because, while you live in peace, Europe is shaken to its very foundations by a' war in which Britain and France and their Empires have championed the cause of freedom, truth, religion and democracy.’’ In this struggle Now Zealand had already played a heroic part at sea and in the air, but a great task lay ahead if the Empire was to preserve its freedom. He felt sure that the youth of New Zealand would come forward in its thousands for active service, inspired by the highest patriotism and sacrifice, and they would uphold the glorious traditions of Anza c. CONDITIONS AT HOME. Mr Jordan spoke of the difference between the London of today and the London of previous years brought about by the war conditions, and the response of Now Zealanders in Groat Britain to the call of the Empire. This expressed itself not only in active service with the colours but by the formation of organisations to supply New Zealanders serving in the R.A.F.. anti-tank units, in the Imperial Army and Navy and in other services with comforts.

Mr Jordan also announced (hat the Lord Mayor of London had invited several hundred guests, including New Zealanders and people connected with New Zealand, to a reception at Mansion House at which (lie King and Queen had graciously consented to be present. A guard of honour was also to be provided by New Zealand troops.