NEW ZEALAND'S MESSAGE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 5 August 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND'S MESSAGE.

LONDON, Aug. 2. In compliance with a .special request, the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Mr Massey) has sent the following message on behalf of New Zealand to the Central Committee of the National Patriotic Organisation for delivery at the London meeting on the anniversary of the war: "We are now entering upon the fifth year of the year, and as British citizens we are no less determined than we were four years ago to carry on until victory comes to those armies which are fighting for all that the fre e and honor-loving nations of the earth hold dear. We have had many disappointments, but we also had *much to be thankful for, and to-day we can claim confidently that the fighting forces of th c Empire, both on land and water and in the air, are stronger than they have been at any time in our history. This also is true of our Allies', especially since our kinsmen of the United States of America came into the war in support of the same sacred cause as that which has brought the bravest of Britain's sons from every quarter of the globe and for which the best blood of. the Empire lms been poured out. There is now no reason for pessimism, but, on the contrary, every reason for. confidence. With renewed determination, the Allies \yill press forward, facing without hesitation any difficulties or dangers which they may encounter, but never stopping or laying aside the weapons of war until decisive victory has been won., bringing with it security and peace.'' (Signed) W. F. MASSEY. j REFERENCES IN THE CHURCHES. Yesterday,, the fourth anniversary ot the declaration by Britain of war agaiinst Germany, was kept as a quiet day, the services in the various churches being suitable to the occasion. ! In the Presbyterian Church the Rev. H. B. Gray delivered two splendid addresses, hie subject in the. morning being "Superior Forces," while in the evening he spoke on "Heroes in the Fight." There were very large attendances of worshippers. In addition the j Mayor (Mr E. Dixon) addressed & large i gathering of children on "Loyalty,'' and special meetings for prayer were held in the school hall at 8 and 10.30 a.m. ad 6.30 p.m. Special intercessory services were held in the Methodist Church. The Rev. A. Liversedge conducted-both services, basing his sermon in the evening on 'The War's Test of Christianity." Special hymns appropriate to the day, and the anthems, "Oh, Saviour of the World" and "Trust in Him Always" were sting. Special services were also held at Normanby, the Rev. R. T. P. Ha-ddon conducting at 11 a.m. and Mr Livej-sedge at 2.30 p.m. At St. Mary's Church yesterday there were a. large number of communicants at the 7 a.m., 8 a.m., and 11 a.m. services. The pulpit was draped with a large Union Jack, and the Rev. C. H. Grant Cowen preached at both the morning and evening services, the evenI ing devotions taking the form of a mej morial service to those who have fallen jin the war. The anthem, "The sun shall be no more thy light by day" and sung at the evening service, and j throughout the day special hymns and prayers were used. At the Salvation Army's services yes- , terday special prayers referring to the war were offered. • Thus -afternoon meetings arc being ■ held in various parts of the district to 1 i consider the Acting-Prime Minister's resolution.