BRITISH PRINCIPLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1939, Page 7

BRITISH PRINCIPLES

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH [PER press association.] BLENHEIM, April 17. The firm belief that if ever the British Empire was threatened with attack it would steadfastly resist injustice was expressed by the GovernorGeneral (Lord Gafway), when responding to a welcome to Lady Galway and himself at Picton to-day. His Excellency remarked that if the war clouds over Europe burst there would be repercussions all over the world, but there could not be the slightest doubt that all the Empire would once more, if necessary, stand together for the principles of liberty and justice. His Excellency’s remarks were made at the conclusion of a formal reply to an address of welcome. “In these times dark clouds hang over the Continent of Europe, and when or if those clouds burst the re-

percussions will be felt all. over the wcild,” said Lord Galway. “We must make stern resolutions that we shall adhere to the principles handed down by those who founded the Empire. Those principles are liberty, justice, and toleration, and they are to be found in the four corners of the earth, wherever the English language is spoken. Standing at this war memorial, as we are to-day, makes one sad to think that the hopes of 20 years ago have not been accomplished. The conflict of 1914-18 was a war to end war. We hoped it would be followed by a period when justice would prevail and the bitterness engendered by war would be forgotten. “The British Empire did its utmost to lead the world to disarm and to spend that money in promoting happiness and prosperity, not on the burden of armaments,” Lord Galway continued. “Unfortunately other nations did not follow our example. England has had to rearm at great expense, and the burden will be felt for many years to come, but we are not going to turn from our principles of liberty and justice. If other nations attack us they will find us strong as in the past, and will find that we will stand to our path. We are determined not to give way. to tyranny and injustice, and will preserve inviolate the heritage that has been handed down to us.”