UNITED EFFORT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 29, 3 January 1944, Page 4

UNITED EFFORT

VICE-REGAL APPEAL YEAR OF IMPORTANCE “AA’e have come once more to the threshold of a new year, and once more 1 ask you to prepare for the future by considering with me for a few moments the achievements of the 12 months that have passed,” said the Governor-General, Sir Cyril Newall, in his New Year message'. “A year ago to-day I said that we could sec the first light of the dawn. And if the skies were brightening then, they are brighter by far to-day. Attack has been our password, and in every theatre of war our navies, armies, and air forces have struck and are striking ever harder and more telling blows for our freedom. The year 1943 has been one of grett successes. But we must never allow ourselves to forget that these successes have not been won without great cost. And mow. as we look forward to the year which lies ahead, we must prepare ourselves to bear our share of the burden which, may demand from us more grievous suffering and heavier sacrifice. AVAR IN PACIFIC. “It seems likely that the early months of 1944 will sec the assault on AYestern Europe from Great Britain. AA'e offer our prayers for its leaders and for all who will serve with them. The task that lies before them may prove the toughest and the most costly tliat ever faced an army. AA’e know that with God’s help they will prevail. AVhile this tremendous host is massing at the other end of the world, the war in the Pacific is receding further and further from New Zealand, and with it the signs, so apparent only two years ago, that these islands were directly threatened. To outward appearances the Dominion is, in some ways, gradually resuming its peace-time aspect. It seems unlikely now that any invader will set foot upon our soil. For all this we must be heartily grateful. But it must not tempt us to forget that it is only the danger of invasion that has passed from us. Our cause is still in danger, as is that of every free nation of the world till all bur enemies are overthrown.

“The apparent peacefulness of this land of abundance is merely a mirage. r l’his is proved by the casualty lists which appear so frequently.'But it may lead" "us none the less into dire temptation. For there is no incentive to that unity of purpose, which we must all continue to maintain if the day of victory is not to be delayed, so compelling as the knowledge of a common dangcV. Tliat incentive has been removed from us; the enemy is no longer at our gates, our physical safety seems assured. “Let us resolve, therefore, and I can think of no New A’car resolution more valuable for all of us, that we shall not allow anything to deflect us from our determination to sink all our personal prejudices and ambitions in order to achieve a united effort and thus a greater contribution toward the defeat of our enemies. Our thoughts at this time go out to nil those New Zealanders who are fighting for us and for the future of mankind. If we are to keep faith with these men, we must allow nothing to stand in the way of our united endeavours to hasten victory.

“I wish every man, woman, and child in New Zealand, her island territories, and in Western Samoa, all the happiness which is possible in 1944. It will be _ a year of immense importance in the history of the world, and one to which we can look forward with high hopes and justifiable confidence. May wo all be given the wisdom to choose tho right eourso and -the courage to pursue it undeterred. May God bring romfort to tho aged, rcliei to the suffering and. consolation to the lonely and the anxious.' 1