KING’S MESSAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20956, 8 November 1939, Page 8

KING’S MESSAGE

LORD GALWAY’S ADDRESS TRIBUTE TO PIONEERS CONFIDENCE IN DESCENDANTS (By Telegraph.—press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday

In formally declaring the Centennial Exhibition open this afternoon the Governor-General, Lord Galway, read a message received yesterday from the King:—

“I am glad to hear that the exhibition in connection with New Zealand's centenary is to be opened in Wellington tomorrow, and I send my best wishes for its success. (Signed George RX). Lord Galway said: “Naturally at a time like this our thoughts go back to the commencement of the era covered by the exhibition.” He then outlined the circumstances under which New Zealand became a British colony, adding: “Most fortunately for New Zealand most of the emigrants who arrived in the country were men and women of good physique, character and foresight—people of the best British colonising type. We cannot help thinking of their courage and determination—the long hazardous voyage from the Mother Country, the endless discomforts, and no real knowledge as to how they would find things on arrival. “Transport was primitive and the warlike natives were, as yet, anything but friendly in many parts of the country, and settlers were necessarily thrown on their own resources. The greater part of the country consisted of heavy bush which had to be cut and burned before effective use could be made of the land, but those pioneers had spirit and courage, and it was to their efforts mainly that much ot the progress already achieved is due.” Courage Proved After tracing the development of New Zealand in trade and population, Lord Galway referred to the spirit and courage displayed by New Zealand troops in the South African and Great Wars, showing that the qualities of the early settlers had been inherited by their descendants, “so, too, during the present war we are sure that, when called upon to do so, the present generation will show the same sense of courage, loyalty and patriotism.”

The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, as president of the Exhibition, read cables from the Hon. Peter Fraser, Mr Anthony Eden, Secretary for the Dominions; Mr Robert S. Hudson, Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade, and the Governor of Fiji, Sir H. C. Luke, conveying their best wishes for success.

Mr Eden’s cable added: “Although the opening comes at a moment of storm and stress in the world, the exhibition will fitly commemorate the history of 100 years’ peaceful effort and the strenuous progress which has seen the building up of a strong and vigorous New Zealand, ready to play its part in war as in peace.”

MESSAGE FROM ENGLAND

LABOUR PARTY’S GREETING GREAT ECONOMIC PROGRESS (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. *B, 3 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 7 Mr C. R. Attlee, in a message to New Zealand, said:— “British labour sends greetings on the occasion of the Centenary and congratulations on your great economic and social progress. We welcome t your efforts to co-operate in the struggle to maintain the democracy in which you have been nurtured and for the downfall of the dictatorship which is threatening our freedom and existence.”