NEW YEAR SURVEY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1945, Page 3

NEW YEAR SURVEY

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE

CALL FOR UNITED EFFORT

In a New Year message, broadcast to the people of New Zealand on Sunday night, His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, reviewing the achievements of the past 12 months, said the progress of the United Nations toward the final defeat of their common enemies had surpassed the most optimistic hopes of a year ago. Pride of place among the more notable feats of arms which had been performed with gallantry and fortitude by the fighting forces and merchant navies of the Emipre and the Allies must be given to the assault from Great Britain upon Nazi-enslaved Europe and the subsequent liberation of practicably the whole of France, Belgium and part of Holland. This was the result of. the most momentous and hazardous combined operation ever undertaken in the history of the world. Other great achievements had been the capture of Rome and the continued advance of the Allied armies under General Alexander, in which the New Zealand Division had played a prominent part; the sinking of the German battleship Tirpitz by the Royal Air Force; the mastery obtained over the submarine menace; and the defeat, of the Japanese in Burma and consequent removal of the threat to India. "Our Russian Allies have advanced magnificently to East Prussia, the gates of Warsaw and beyond. Budapest," continued His Excellency. "In the Pacific our American Allies have made phenomenal progress and here, again, New Zealand has made a worthy contribution." After expressing the deep gratitude felt toward all serving in the Navy, Army, Air Force and Merchant Navy, His Excellency thanked those who had toiled in factory and workshop and voluntary organisations. He said the threat to this much-favoured land had. been eliminated and that greatest incentive to unity pf purpose—a common danger—had been removed. Keeping The Faith "Many of your men are now back with you in their homes," said the Governor-General. "Those responsible are rightly concerned with post-war problems and with the readjustment of these men and service women to conditions of civil lite. Nevertheless, the war, with its slaughter, destruction and devastation, continues with unabated fury. Grievious suffering continues and sacrifice is still required." Saying that the final stages of the war in Europe would be bitter and we must be prepared for some disappointments, His Excellency thought the people could look forward to the total military defeat of Germany in the coming year. They dared not hope for more than a painful and prolonged aftermath. Japan's ultimate defeat was certain, but the road might be long and hazardous. Even if the day of final victory could not yet be foretold, great progress could be expected in 1945. "On this New Year's Eve, when we are thinking of all New Zealand men and women serving their King and country throughout the world, let us once again resolve that we will keep faith with them," His Excellency concluded. "Only by unity and individual endeavour can we hasten the day of victory and peace. Lady Newall and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to every man, woman and child in New Zealand, the Island territories and Western Samoa for the great courtesy and kindness which has been shown us during our many visits. We send you all every good wish for 1945."