GREETINGS EXCHANGED

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 120, 24 May 1933, Page 10

GREETINGS EXCHANGED

* MR. COATES'S MESSAGE

Today is being celebrated as Empire Day, the outward token being tho flying of flags. -To the younger generation now at school the significance of Empire Day is being inculcated by special reference during teaching hours. The various messages which have been exchanged between England and ] New Zealand relative to Empire Day j have already been published in "The Post." . A special message-, for'tho day has been issued by the Acting Prime Minister, the Et. Hon. J. G. Coatcs, in the following terms: — "Twelvo-months ago the hopes of British citizens were" mainly centred upon the Imperial Economic Conference which met in Ottawa in July last and upon the Disarmament Conference then sitting at Geneva since February, 1932, but which has not yet concluded its deliberations. . . '•The former marked a definite advance in stimulating the industrial and commercial prosperity of the British : Commonwealth, whilst in respect of'the latter, though it has so far proved unsuccessful in achieving general agreement on the vital problems of international disarmament, the outlook in; thb: light of.recent events is distinctly more promising. "On this anniversary of Empire Day the hopes of nations are focused upon the World Monetary and Economic Conference which meets in London next month and at which New Zealand will be- represented by the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Industries and Commerce. On the decisions of this. Conference will largely depend the. measure of returning international confidence and prosperity and the diminution of unemployment, which ha 3 so sorely oppressed all countries. ; "The, times through which we have been passing are hard and strenuous, and have fully tested the courage and staying powers « of our people. Conditions, I fear, will for some-time to come continue to -be. difficult, but I have no hesitation in saying that, compared with last year, the outlook is undoubtedly more reassuring and that we have now reached rock-bottom. -.'. ',' The alleviation. of. these depressing conditions can, in niy opinion, be definitely helped and fostered by doing everything possible to promote the unity of the British Empire and cooperation among all its peoples."