Sacrifices Heeded

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21361, 4 March 1941, Page 7

Sacrifices Heeded

WINNING THE WAR NEW GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE "BRITAIN GOING TO WIN” (By Telegraph. — Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Tuesday “I have been too closely identified with the war for it to be ever out of my mind, and you will find that every speech I make will refer to it until victory is won,” said Sir Cyril New all in reply to addresses of welcome at the opening of the conference of the Municipal Association last night. “And I am sure that you would not have it otherwise, for few, if any, of the municipalities which you represent can have no father, brother or son absent on active service. “In this peaceful atmosphere, far removed from the horrors of war, we must at all times keep in the forefront of our thoughts those who are lighting and suffering cheerfully, and giving their lives for us and lor all that we cherish. But to think of them is not enough. We must win. We are going to win, but it is vital that all of us in a l l parts of the Empire should be prepared to make sacrifices and be worthy of those who are bearing the brunt of the attack. “W'e all want to help,” Sir Cyril continued. “And we can help, by working, by saving, by lending. We must do all these things and we must do them willingly.” llelp Where Possible His Excellency, who was cheered when he rose to speak, expressed thanks for the warm welcome given Lady Newall and himself. He said he found it difficult to realise that 10 days had passed since his arrival, and that showed they felt at home. “My wife and I are anxious to visit every town in New Zealand,” he said. “We want to visit every nook and cranny of your islands at the first opportunity. Thanks to this gathering we shall not arrive as strangers but, I hope I may say, as friends. “We have long been looking forward to our arrival in New Zealand, and now that we are here and have had an opportunity to see just a little of the country and to meet a few people, I can say in simple language that we are enjoying every minute of it. We have come here with our young family to make our home among you. We are delighted with our residences, both at Wellington and at Auckland, and so far as may be under the shadow of war, we are confident that our enjoyment will continue and increase. “It is our earnest desire to get to know the peoples and your countryside as soon as possible, and to help you all whenever and wherever we can. In this connection I hope to give you ample notice of my visits and thus you will be able to fix the dates for any particular ceremonies which you may desire us to undertake, and so reduce the chances of our being forced to decline an invitation, which would cause us real disappointment.” Tribute To Leader His Excellency concluded by wishing the conference every success. He said it was by such conventions, by pooling experience and by unity, that all problems would be solved. “For the first time in our history our gathering is graced by the presence of His Majesty's representative in New Zealand,” said Mr T. Jordan, president of the Municipal Association, who welcomed Theii Excellencies. He referred to the Dominion's loyalty to the Throne, and to the country’s pleasure in welcoming Their Excellencies. “Of recent years we have been honoured in your high office with men of great achievement in the older services, the Navy and the Army,” he said. “We welcome you as the first of a new line, the leadei of the Hurricanes and Spitfires.'’ (Applause.) Air Jordan paid tribute to Sir Cyril’s service. He said the force he had built up had become the shield and the sword of the Empire. “We in New Zealand are proud of the contribution that our small band of pilots has made,” he added. “We believe the spirit of ’Cobber’ Kain lives in the young New Zealand airmen, and in the days ahead we expect them to reap a rich harvest of laurels.” The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, spoke of the pioneer settlers of New Zealand, and of the pride taken in the growth and expansion of democracy in the Dominion. He mentioned the foresight of the pioneers in leaving ample space for the growth of the cities and towns, and paid a tribute to the public services given willingly by a large number of local bodies. New Zealand’s local body system was among the most democratic of the country’s institutions.