THE PREMIER'S GOOD-BYE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 296, 18 June 1909, Page 8

THE PREMIER'S GOOD-BYE.

♦ HIS MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE. [PRESS ASSOCIATION J WELLINGTON, last night, The Prime Minister has addressed the ollowing message to the people of New Zealand : — "The Motherland, , in iho great cause of Imperial defence, has called to council with her the free young nations 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 in ' England. I go with both hopes and regrets. Rogrets that I have just now to leave for a few months the country* and | my part in the Government of its i affairs — -hopes that in the part I take in the impending conference I may justify any inconvenience this country will incur by my. absence. Hopes, also, that the courage on our part with which New Zealand has lately declared herself willing to assume responsibility in strengthening tho British Navy, and the loyal unanimity with which that part has been approved by you, will bind us closer still by all tho ties of quickened kinship to the United Kingdom. Hopes above all that through this conference and the combined assistance of. all tho oversea -dominions, the naval defences of the Empire will be so strengthened and organised as to place that supremacy of the seas, for which our forefather spent?' so much in blood and treasure, beyond question by .our foesj and all this for the benefit of a permanent peace, the glory of the Empire and a closer union with the people of our Motherland. I feel my mission is a. great one lam fully sensitive of my responsibilities, but with tho blessing of heaven and with the best of my abilities I shall endeavor to acquit myself as your representative in a manner worthy of your country and mine, and of the confidence you have reposed in me. In these hopes I bid you a short farewell."