GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8804, 6 August 1914, Page 2

GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION

SCENE AT PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS: TWELVE THOUSAND CITIZENS HEAR THE NEWS. The news yesterday that His Excellency the Governor (the Earl of Liverpool) would make a proclamation from the steps of tho old Parliament Buildings spread , like wildfire through tho city, and the result was that by the hour appointed, there were some 12,000 people gathered in front of tho library entrance. Tho scene was a most impressive one. .In a message earlier in tho day it was said tuat tho lact that the people were being called together did not involve a declaration of war, but all knew that the matters to be dealt with were of grave import to the Empire. The news that war had actually broken out, received by His Exceldlency after he had announced his intention of making the proclamation at 8 o’clock, caused a deep sensation, but the attitude of the people seemed to be one more of relief than of anxiety. The bursts of cheering and demonstrations of patriotic fervour created a groat impression, and the whole scene will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.

His Excellency, who was received with cheering, said: — “Ladies and gentlemen, fellow subjects, I have received some telegrams and I shall read tnem to you very slowly. lam commanded by His Majesty tho Xing to read you the following" message:—

I desire to express to my people of the overseas Dominions with what appreciation and pride I have received the messages from their respective Governments during the last few days. . These spontaneous assurances of their fullest support recall to me the generous self-sacrific-ing help given by them in tho past to the Mother Country. I shall bo strengthened in the discharge of the great responsibilities which rest upon me by the confident belief that in this time of trial my Empire will stand united, calm, resolute —trusting in God. (Signed with the King’s own hand). , “To that message,” continued His Excellency, “I have sent the following reply:—

New Zealand desires mo to acknowledge your Majesty’s gracious message, and to say that come good or ill she, in common with the Dominions and other dependencies of the Crown, is prepared to make any sacrifice to maintain her heritage and her birthright.—(Cheers). “Fellow subjects, since I sent out that notice to yW this morning, I have got another telegram to read to yon. I will read it. It is very short: “WAR HAS BROKEN OUT WITH GERMANY.”

Renewed cheers greeted' the announcement.

THE PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) then addressed the immense assemblage as follows: “Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citi zens of the Empire, after the very startling announcement which has been made to you by His Excellency the Governor, I venture to say we are all of one way of thinking : that the British Empire and the British people are to-day fact to face with the most serious crisis they have ever experienced —the most serious crisis in the history of the Em pirc—find if. we are to oomo throbgh it successfully—and I am confident we shall come through successfully—(cheers) —then we must take notice ot the very earnest advice contained in the last sentence of the message from His Majesty the King, and which has just been repeated to you by His Excellency the Governor. The tish people must stand tr,gvHjp| ‘calm, united, resolute —trusung 1 Idiv God.’ I am glad to say, gentlemen, that is the feeling'Hlßrtobtains to-day not only in ' NeWßiiland, but every part of the Empire, and in consequence the British people are able to-day to . present a united front to their enemies. “So far as New Zealand is concerned, it has done its duty on every occasion when the Empire required its assistance, and it "will do its duty on the present occasion and m a wholehearted manner. That we shall be called upon to make sacrifices goes without saying, but 1 am confident that these sacrifices will be made individually and collectively, willingly and in a manner worthy of the very highest traditions of the great rate to which we belong. “Our first duty is to do everything wc possibly can to protect our country and at the same time do everything wo possibly can to assist the Empire, and when we have done all that mortal man can do, the rest must bo left to a higher power—-to Him who ‘watches over Israel and, who slumbers not nor sleeps.’ “Mv message to you, the citizens ot New Zealand, at the most trying moment of the history of the Empire, is this; Keep cool, stand fast, do your duty to your country and your EmA voice: “We will do that. Mr Massey. “1 am suro you will. —(Cheers.) SIR JOSEPH WARD FOLLOWS. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, who was received with cheers, then spoke as follows: “Your Excellency, ladies and gentlement, —I want to say that I believe firmly that-out of evil good will arise. Everyone recognises the horrors of war. The time arrives in the affairs of nations as of individuals when they muss fight in the defence of honour and for their existence, when the blessings of peace have to be foregone and all the grief that the sacrifice of miman life entails has to bo borne with fortitude -and resignation. The loss of treasure will be stupendous, but that is a secondary consideration.

“'Xho British Empire is entering upon the greatest crisis in her history. Her rulers have done nothing to provoke or precipitate the war; on the contrary, „hoy have 1 done all humanly possible to avert it. It was impossible, in my opinion, for Great Britain to stand aside and to let powerful friendly nations go on without her taking part ; to have done so would have been an sot of cowardice, a thing unknown to Britishers. (Cheers.) The people in all parts of the Empire at this crave juncmre will stand united and with undoubted courage and inflexible determination leave nothing undone to defeat the enemy, which I earnestly pray, under the guidance of jjlviuc Providence, may soon be brought about, and

that the outcome of the unprecedented struggle may ensure lasting peace through the centuries to come. (Cheers.) “My motto is ‘For King and Conntry,’ and it will be fervently breathed by the loyal people of this Dominion as it will bo throughout our widely scattered Empire. May God bless and pro'(.ect tho British forces on land and sea and make them victorious is my earnest -prayer.” (Cheers.) Another verse of the National Anthem was sung and further cheers were given before the gathering dispersed.