THE NEW YEAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1713, 2 January 1920, Page 6

THE NEW YEAR.

MR MASSEY'S-MESSAGE,

THREE GUIDING PRINCIPLES.

Per PrcKS Association. AUCKLAND. Dec. 31

The Prime Minister fiends the following New Year ificwugu to the people of,the Dominion: — - . . . The Old Year, with all ils trials and troubles, is gone, and the New Year is with ii*. What it will bring to New Zealand, no man can accurately predict. It is fflrito certain) however, that we shall still have diUiculties. In ■previous years they have been surmounted so it will be again.Tho determination and tenacity which saw the British citizens right, through the long years of war'will see us through any trouble which we may 1)0 called upon to face during the next twelve months. The recent elections have cleared the political atmosphere, land, given tho people of New Zealand rc- | iiewctl confidence in themselves, ami in each Other, Apart altogether from party polltt'.*. the great majority have declared loyally ami enthusiastically for King and Empn'o, and for ill policy of progress and devclojanent within the Dominion, Sut'n being the case, our duty is clear. Whether as men intrusted with tho management of publio rffairs or as ptivatc citi/ens, all classes must' work whole-heartedly together . for the eominon good,; remeinbering that us n house divided against itself camiof stand, go nl**country divided against itself cannot, prosper. I know perfectly well tlihfc.it is impossible to avoid differences of opinion iir minor mailers, but tbeio should be only one opinion with re-iard to essentials. There should be no two opinions about the necessity for making and keeping the country prosperous, so that, we may be able turned, our v/'i" heavy financial obligations without hardship <>r inconvenience, or about the principles of doing our' dutv to the Empire in peace as well as we did in war. If we are successful in thews respects there 1 should be little diflicully in regard to other matters, however 'important, and however necessary sunn' of them may be. In ono of his poems, Kipling has very concisely summarised what should be the policy of a young country such as ours in (he process of development, where he says:

Keep ye the peace. _ lie swift in all obedience. Clear the laud of evil. Drive the road and bridge tu<- ford Make ye sure to each his own. That, he reap where he luis^iwn. By'the peace among youi^aoplcs. Let men know ve love- Ihe Lord.

On thir occasion the people of New Zealand are enjoying the lestivo season with greater zest than for several years past, and with good reason. The black clouds ot war, which, for .long .hung over Brilislft Countries, have disappeared, and the sun of peace and prosperity is agujn shining upon the world which has commenced to recover. I hough not to forget, the sacrifices and sorrows of the last, live years. In this country particularly we have much to Go, thankful for, ami the blessing's of peace are probably appreciated morts than ever before, but there is still much wcrk to hi; ciime in the way of meeting our responsibilities arising from lho war, which to ho successful necessitates lho exercise of energy and cooperation by the whole of tile people of i New Zcalnd. *

A country worth fighting for is worth working for, arid its intercut* must 'come before personal interest or anything else, Country should be fir.st uycry time.' I,ei U't avoid quibbling find biekcriiie; over comparative trifles, and make the l>c»t possible use of our opportunities and tile talents With lyliipjl Nature has endowed us. My message, tlicieforo, to my followcitizens of the Douiinion on tin's first day of wlint i bop.- will |,e a bright; New Year for all, is t/> forget minor dilVerenees, make good u:;e of rho many advantages wo possess and lake as guiding principles loyalty, induslr.y. and progress- principles winch, il properly acted up to will within a comparatively short period place Jhi.s country in a sounder and more satisfactory position tiuiif it has ever yet oecuplM'MSJgned , \V. K Masßey,