NAVAL DEFENCE CONFERENGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7825, 18 June 1909, Page 2

NAVAL DEFENCE CONFERENGE.

S SIR JOSEPH WARD'S MESSAGE.

| Per Press Association. • I WELLINGTON, June IT. i ihe Premier has addressed the foltawing message to the people of NewZealand : ? ."The Motherland, m the great cause* ;oi imperial defence, has called'to council with her the freo young,riations of the Empire, and to-day, with the full consent of both Houses of our Legislature, I leave New Zealand to represent ' you at the great Naval Conference iit England. I go with both hopes and regrets ; regrets that I have just now to> leave for a few months this country and my part m the government of its affairs; hopes that m the part I take* m the impending Conference I mayjustify any inconvenience this countrywill incur by my absence; hopes also> tflat the courageous part New .Zealand! has lately declared herself willing to assume m strengthening " the British Nay-^ and the loyal unanimity with Vfwei! that part has been approved by you, will bind us closer still by all the ties of quickened; kinship to the United Kingdom; hopes above all that.through this Conferenco and the combined assistance of all the oversea dominions the naval defences of the Empire willi be so strengthened and organised as to place, that supremacy of the.seas for whi&fe our forefathers spent so much ire hiood and treasure beyond question byour foes, and all this- for tho benefits off a permanent peace, the glory of'the Empire and. a closer union with the 1 people o.f our Motherland. I feel that my pission is a great one. I am fully sensitive of my responsibilities,- but jwith the blessing of Heaven and with the best of my abilities I shall endeav-w / our to acquit myself as your represent- • tative m a manner worthy of yourcountry -and mine, and of the Confidence you have reposed m nW. la the.se hopes I bid you a shark farewell," y