HISTORIC DOCUMENT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 6

HISTORIC DOCUMENT

Personal Message From the King

RECEIVED BY PARLIAMENT A historic document was read in the House of Representatives yesterday, when for the first time Parliament received a personal message direct from the King. The message, which was addressed to members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives, was in reply to a loyal address from the New Zealand Parliament presented to his Majesty by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. Hitherto messages from the King have been received through the Secretary of State for Dominion' Affairs, and prior to New Zealand becoming a Dominion through the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Tlie present message was forwarded direct to the New Zealand Parliament by the King through his personal representative in New Zealand, Viscount Galway. The circumstances under which the message was received are considered of considerable constitutional significance. and a direct indication of the higher status of this Dominion as a unit of the Empire. The text of the message is as follows :—

“Members of the Legislative Council' and of the House of Representatives of New Zealandl am deeply grateful for the loyal and affectionate greetings contained in the address presented to me by my Prime Minister of the Dominion of New Zealand, at St. James’s Palace, on May S. On that historic day, when, the representatives of my Dominions overseas assembled to offer to the Queen and myself their congratulations and good wishes, I en-' deavoured to express, in this family gathering of the Empire, my joy and pride in the united affection of my peoples. .’<i ~ “The twenty-live years during which I have reigned over you have been a period of stress and trial. Each year, on Anzac Day. New Zealand honours ' in solemn remembrance the courage and steadfastness displayed by the flower of her manhood in the time of war.. The years of peace have also brought their difficulties, and New Zealand has had her full share of suffering in the recent time of economic stress, but I am proud to think that her sons and daughters have faced those problems with tlie same undaunted courage. “As Mr. Forbes recalled in his speech on May 8, changes in the realm of science have brought me and my people in New Zealand into closer communication with each other; but I know, from the visit which the Queen and L paid to the Dominions and from the visits in more recent years of my sons, that we are, rind always have been, close to' each other in spirit and affection. New Zealand will take her place with the other partners in fulfilling their great task of co-operation in promoting the ideals of the British Empire. Let us dedicate ourselves anew in mutual endehvonr to solve the problems of peart)’ as together we met the problems of war.

“I think you for your good wishes to the Queen and myself, aiid I pray for the blessing of God on my people in New Zealand, that they 'may live in happiness, prosperity and peace. GEORGE R. 1.” May 11, 1935.