EMPIRE DAY MESSAGES

Nelson Evening Mail, 25 May 1916, Page 2

EMPIRE DAY MESSAGES

ALLIED COMMANDERS TO THE DOMINIONS. SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S GREETINGS (OwrrmD Pbcss Association.)

WELLINGTON, May 24. The Governor has received the following telegram from General Sir .Douglas ITaig, Comrnander-in-Ghief of the British forces in France :—"All ranks under my command ,in France joint with, .me in. greetings on Empire Day to our fellowsubjects throughout His Majesty's Dominions. .Representative of every part 6f those Dominions, bound togther not ?only by ties of blood but' by similarity of ideals, and 1 loyalty to one Crown and one flag, our. armies are united" heart. and soul in this great fight for freedom and j ustice, old' watchwords of our race. Confident in ourselves and in the ungrudging help and support of our kin throughout'.the and in our gallant Allies, we look forward .to certain- victory-."

The iGovernor has l also received a message transmitted through General Sir I>ouglas Haig from General Joffre, which reads as follows'On- the occasion of Empire Day, it is my good fortune to express to you the sentiments of high esteem and of cordial camaraderies which the, French armies feel for the valiant troops -of India, of the /Dominions, and-of the Colonies, whose fine conduct and whope brilliant , feats of arms on : every field of battle "where they have fought"they so much admire. I desire that you Avill transmit these sentiments to tlie officers, lion-commissioned officers, "and soldiers of India, of the "Domiriions, and of the Colonies, with,, whom the French troqps are fortunate enough to be,'fighting -side by side for the same ideals." . ' His Excellency his sent -the following reply, addressed to: General Sir "Dougftis 'Haig:-—"New Zealand through v;.methanks you for your inspiring mfessage. The Dominion_is proud that. her .sons should foe .associated Hyith all the-, gallant "troops under your command, and eagerl.ly watches all your doings. !P!ease coni vey to Generiil Joffre the irra-teful thanks of the people of these islands for., h.is kindly message which he ; has sent I through you. Please tell him that all '■New Zealandars deem it a great honour | to' be associated ,with the heroic French armies in the stfuggle to uphold everything which both. nations hold dear."