KIPLING’S MESSAGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 100, 27 March 1936, Page 14

KIPLING’S MESSAGE.

NEW ZEALANDERS PRAISED. AUCKLAND, March 26. A spontaneous, testimonial to the loyalty of New Zealanders was given by Rudyard Kipling less than a month before his death on January 18. It is contained in a letter owned by Cap-, tain D. Kee. of the Church Army, who 1 returned to -Auckland this week after a brief visit to England. Captain Ivee, who is in charge of the Church Army’s work among New Zealand children, had decided to form a “Children’s Corner”’ in the chapel of the army training centre, wh ch is in the former children’s home, Richmond Road. He wrote to Kipling and also to the former GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, for “messages” which could be framed and hung in the chapel. In reply Captain Kee received a typewritten letter from Kipling, dated December 23, and addressed from the famous author’s home, “Batemans,” Burwash, Sussex. It was as follows : Dear Captain Kee, —Many thanks for your letter of tile 20ih, just m. I'm afraid I haven't anything by me tliat would lit the purpose of your “oommioiL Children a Corner,” but it there is any quotation out of my verses that uouid do, you are quite welcome to it. My own experiences of the New Zeamnuer in ms own country and rhe Boer IN ar and the Great War wm'e that he was as loyal to the IMnpire in matter and spirit as anyone could wish lor, and that is saying a' good deal. ■ Wishing you and yours a happy i\ ew leai. —Rudyard Kipling. Lord Bkdisloe’s message, which was signed by himself and Lady Bledisloe, rail: “God is love. May the children or New Zealand who visit this corner realise that God is a friend of boundless compassion and love, and while ever looking to Him for help anti guidance, strive to do nothing which is displeasing in His sight.”