MESSAGE FROM THE KING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23262, 24 February 1941, Page 6

MESSAGE FROM THE KING

Best Wishes Sent To Dominion SIR CYRIL NEW ALL’S REPLY TO WELCOME (IBESB AStOCIXTIO* MItOSIM.) WELLINGTON, February 22. ’■ln his reply to the welcome given him. in Wellington to-day. the new Governor-General (Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall) conveyed to the Government and people of New Zealand a personal message from His Majesty the King. Read at the end of the address, this message was warmly cheered by ■ the crowd. Sir Cyril Newall said: - . , ‘‘Mr Prime Minister, on behalf or my wife and family I Welcome sincerely for the very warm Relcom with which you have greeted us in vour capital. We are deeply touched and encouraged,- and already gt are amongst friends. For months past we have all been counting the day Tn anticipation of our arrival and when yesterday at a f ver £ X l a iaeerlywe caught our- firs-1 f nd awaited glimpse of this sun Klbbt-u iewel set hi the southern seas, we were and great achievement— from the day of Captain Hobson onwards musthave experienced similar emotionsof graU tude for their good fortune and deter “nation to be worthy of thelit sihilities I can assure you witn an sincerity that no Designate or his wife have ever ar , rivpd with greater' enthusiasm and eagerness to know both “ your people, your wonderful country, an all that it stands for in j h \® r v j Dire and the world. We have read a great deal about New Zealand and her history and the more we read the greater’ our admiration of those _aoble pioneers and settlers and for the Ideals which governed their great adventure in your country s early de velopment. Home for Young Family “It'is here in the midst of ' ditions that we have come to make our home amongst you and have brought our young_ family to grow up and be educated. - I trust that rny witc and I mav be regarded not as strangers but as fiends, if not relatives, from a different branch of the family °f the British Commonwealth of Nations. Our great desire is that we may devote our lives to the seivice of New Zealand and the Empire m this hour of darkness, and that, together with tie people of New Zealand, we may. welcome the dawn of a new and sunlit world in which we can all live in peace and security . and devote our lives to the furtherance of those traditions and ideals which we all cherish so “Coming, as we do, from the heart of the Empire, you will wish me to say a word about conditions at Home. Shortly before leaving my wife and I spent a most pleasant and interesting dav with New Zealand -Army units. The Maori Battalion, after their parade, sang for us and gave us a haka. I also spent a night with the New Zealand Bomber Squadron, which has been doing such excellent work, au seemed to be fit. happy, and ready for anything, and will I when the time comes, show all the fighting spirit of the AnZac still lives, England’s Peril “As you know, London and several industrial centres have been subjected to a series of exhibitions of Nazi lust for wanton destruction and slaughter. The conflagration in the ancient city of London at the Very end of last year was serious indeed, and greater than any since the Great Fire of London' in 1666. However, the will of the people to resist is in no way impaired by such futile barbarity. The people of England are cheerful and calm, and fully realise the danger at their very gates. They are united in an Inflexible determination that this scourge Which has beset our Ideals of freedom and democracy shall be stamped out from the face of the earth for good and all “Mr Prime Minister.—The spirit _of the people of England is truly magniflcent. They cannot be beaten by intimidation. Their resolution grows to meet any greater ordeals they may have to endure. To-day it is the, citizens bf the Homeland who are bearing the bripit of the attack, and sacrifices beyond belief are being made daily and willingly, not only for themselves but for all the peoples of the Empire and for democracy throughout the world. I cannot stress to strongly the vital need for sacrifice by all sections of the bommunitv in all parts of the .Empire. “I thank you. Mr Prime Minister, for your very generous reference to anv service which.l may have been privileged, to render to my country and the Empire. King’s Best Wishes

"Before I close, you will, I know, be anxious for news of Their Majesties the King and Queen. They are, as ever, an outstanding example to us all of fortitude and devotion to duty. They live the same life'and endure the same dangers as their people. They are always quick to visit the scenes of destruction and devastation, to bring comfort, understanding,. and encouragement to those vAio have suffered the loss of friends, relatives, or 'property. “And finally, I have a personal message from His Majesty to you all. Before leaving England I received the King’s command to be the bearer of his best wishes to the Government and peoples of- New Zaland. His Majesty recognises with gratitude the splendid assistance which you are giving in the prosecution of the war. and is confident that - your labours will be rewarded by victory and a just and tasting peace.’’ (Applause.)

APPRECIATION OF WELCOME

LETTER SENT TO THE PRIME MINISTER (PEESS ASSOCIATION TELF.aBAM.) • WELLINGTON, February 23. The Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, sent the following letter from Government House, Wellington, dated February -22, to the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser}:— "My dear Prime Minister—l wish to take this my first opportunity of conveying to you an expression of the deep appreciation of Lady Newall and myself of the excellent arrangements which were made in connexion with pur arrival In New Zealand. It was evident that the greatest care had been taken in every detail to make the formal ceremonies a success. They undoubtedly were, and I should be glad if my warm thanks could be conveyed to all those wh« were responsible for .the organisation of the ceremonies. I was much impressed by the fine' bearing of the guard of honour drawn from the officer-cadet training unit at •Trentham camp and the Royal New* Zealand Air Force, ..and by their smartness' and" hijrh standard of drill Particularly pleasing to me was thp appearance and efficiency of the band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which Is deserving of warm congratulation. I am also appreciative of the

compliment paid us by the air . from Government House to Path* l * Buildings., It was most gratifying' Lady Newall and myself to see many people assembled in the iv to and from the swearing-in cererouw; and in the grounds of ParjWPg: Buildings, and we were deeply sible of the friendly spirit m they . acknowledged our amongst them. Mav 1 add a final;* ... of thanks to the Government for 8 consideration in making avaliaoi special train for the journey Auckland to Wellington, After long vpvage from the Homeland. %■ regard for oim comfort and c . oirv ’ ence over the last stride of the joun. was greatlv appreciated. Yours very sincerely. . , Signed, .., # T*’ C. L. N. NEWALL'