PREMIER'S EMPIRE MESSAGE

Evening Star, Issue 18668, 24 June 1924, Page 3

PREMIER'S EMPIRE MESSAGE

ISSUED IN FORM OF RECORD

OUR PRICELESS HERITAGE.

IPke United Press Association ]

WELLINGTON, June 23,

For Empire Day twelve months ago their Majesties the King and Queen spoke an Empire message which was broadcasted throughout the British Empire in December hist. Advantage was taken of the presence of Mr Massey in London in connection with the. Imperial Conference to get him to give a patriotic message to the Empire at large. This Mr Massey did, and the message has now been issued in the form of a record entitled “ The British Empire. On the reverse side of the record appears very appropriately the New Zealand tional Anthem, - God Defend New Zealand,’ which was sung for the purpose by the well-known baritone, Peter' Dawson, and a full chorus with orchestral accompaniment. . Mr Massey’s Empire message is the first record marie in this way by a dominion Prime Minister. The following is the context of the four minutes’ record;- “ Fellow citizens—l propose to address to you a few thoughts on the British Empire. Its far-flung territories comprise onefourth of the land surface of the globe. Its population numbers approximately 450,000,000, of whom a very large majority differ from us of the Anglo-Saxon races in blood, language, and color. These people, like ourselves, glory in their British nationality, and we hold the Empire as a sacred trust no less for them than for ourselves. Pages of history aro rich with records of deeds that won the Empire, of bravo and noble acts performed on sea and land, in war and peace. The fundamental principles of freedom, justice, and indepondenco have long boen_ deeply implanted m our race, and to British citizens I want to stress with all the emphasis at my command what a priceless heritage is ours today. It is for us to preserve it untarnished, and to hand it on to succeeding generations not only inviolate, but greater and more influential in everything that makes for the good of humanity. “ The dominions and dependencies of the Empire and linked to the Mother Land by tics of blood, kinship, ami tradition. These ties were cemented by the poignant sacrifices made in the Great War. “ Tho Imperial Conference, at which I have tho honor of representing that most British of countries, the Dominion of New Zealand, is now engaged in an earnest consideration of the problems that confront the Empire. Among these are questions relating to national defence, _ and pre-emi-nently naval defence, which is of supreme and vital importance to an Empire which has been built up and exists by sea power. There aro many matters also affecting our commercial and industrial prosperity which are receiving close attention, especially the speeding up of our postal, telegraphic, and shipping communication, and the promotion of our inter-imperial trade. “ There is no royal road to prosperity. It must bo by industry and hard work on the part of each and every one. By this means will the Empire fulfil what I believe to be its great mission—to spread justice, 1 knowledge, and peace into tho darkest corners of the earth. With tho blessing of Divine Providence, with wise statesmanship on the part of its rulers, and loyally on the part of its people, the British Empire will last for all time the greatest tho world has over seen —the united nations of Britain, ono King, one flag, one Empire. “ No easy hope or lies shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice of body, will, and soul. There is but one path for all, for each one life to give. Who stands, if freedom fall? Who dies if England live?”