MESSAGES TO EMPIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 September 1939, Page 8

MESSAGES TO EMPIRE

FROM BRITISH MINISTERS. [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, September 5. The Secretary for the Dominions (Mr. Eden) sent the following message to the Governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Eire: — “His Majesty this day entrusted me with the seals of the Dominions’ Office,' and it has been arranged that I shall'have Special access to the War Cabinet at all times, in order that I iriay be in a position to maintain contact betweeri it and the’ Dominions’ Governments. My appointment as Secretary' for Dominion’Affairs has taken effect in days which are grave arid anxious for us all, but I am glad to think I have come to it with many happy recollections of contacts and friendships made both in London and Geneva with the prime Ministers and other Ministers from the countries of the British Commonwealth.” /

11l a message to the peoples of all colonial 1 territories, the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Malcolm MacDonald) says: “The'knowledge of the feelings of 60,000,000 fellow-citizens in the Colonial' Empire has sustained those at home in their efforts for peace, and steeled them in their preparations for war. Unhappily, the work of the peacemakers has been finally thwarted and they are being forced to enter upon hostilities not only to honour our pledge to our friends, but to secure the survival of good faith and liberty amongst civilised peoples.”

In conclusion, Mr. MacDonald makes the point that the long and' happy association of so many peoples of different races and creeds under the British Crown is itself proof that the ideal’of peaceful and fruitful co-oper-ation between diverse peoples who are willing to understand and respect each other is attainable. ■< He adds: “That knowledge will fortify us in our fight to secure the establishment of that ideal in a wider world.” TRANSJORDAN LOYALTY. LONDON, September 5. The Emir of Transjordan, in a message to the’ King, declared: “In the same spirit with which my father took part with King George V in the last Great War, so also to-day I and my 'people stand fast beside you. I take this opportunity to affirm my support of your cause and to express loyalty and sympathy in this critical hour.” UNIFORMS AT PALACE. RUGBY, September 5. It is learned at Buckingham Palace that the King has given orders that all equerries and officials of the Royal Household should wear uniform daily since the outbreak of war. Admiral Sir Reginald Plunkett-Ernie-Drax, who, it will be remembered, headed the recent British military mission to Moscow, was received by the King to-day. The Duchess of Kent worked for several hours to-day at a cottage hospital at Iver Bucks, with other local volunteers, making bindings and splints for an emergency.

MALTA’S LOYALTY. MALTA,. September 6. At a special session of the Maltese Council, the Government passed’ a resolution reaffirming ■' Malta’s loyalty and determination to support Britain. INDIAN LEADER’S APPEAL. ALLAHABAD, September 6. Appealing to India to stand by Britain unconditionally, the Liberal leader, Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, said that it would be disastrous if help were offered subject to conditions. Any question of controversy regarding the future of India must be shelved, until the common peril had passed.