LOYALTY TO EMPIRE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10868, 7 April 1921, Page 9

LOYALTY TO EMPIRE

SPEECH BY VISCOUNT JBLLICOE ‘‘UPBIGHT, TRUE, AND HONEST GENTLEMEN.” In replying to an address of welcome at Motueka Hds Excellency the Gov-ernor-General (Viscount Jeilicoe) paid a tribute of praise to the members of the New Zealand Forces. During the course of his remarks Lord Jeilicoe said that the inhabitants of Motueka had met him that day in, order to show their loyalty to His Majesty, the King by coming to greet his representative. There was never really much necessity for the people of Nevv Zealand to give manifestations of their loyalty to the King, because their loyalty was known throughout the Empire. But at the same time it was a good thing for the Empire when members of that great Empire assembled to show their loyalty to their sovereign. The Empire stood for freedom and civilisation, which for centuries it had fought for, and had just emerged from the, greatest war in history, fighting. for that freedom and civilisation. And in that fight New Zealand played a very great part indeed. New Zealand’s gallant eons.went to the front in great numbers. Indeed,, he had been told that from that district almost a. record was established in the manner in’ which the men came forward. It Was a real pleasure to know that there were present in that gathering a large number of returned soldiers. He never met a returned soldier without feeling a. thrill of pride that he was able to shake his Hand. And particularly those who' Suffered in themselves for the cause in which they fough-f so splendidly. The deeds of New Zealand’s Expeditionary Force rang throughout the Empire. AN HONOURED NAME. In England there was no name more highly honoured than that of the New Zealand soldier. (Applause.) In France he had heard it said that the French looked upon the New Zealand soldiers ns being upright, time and honest gentlemen. Turning to the children, His Excellency said it was for them to upholdi the traditions for which their fathers and their brothers fought. Let us hope that there would be no necessity for them to do what their fathers and brothers had done —to fight for civilisation. Although it might not come to their lot to fight, it would at . any rate come to their lot to carry on the Empire Which their fathers had defended, and they would do that by doing their duty whatever it might be. “And when your time ;; up,” continued Hie Excellency, “jv will find a greater satisfaction in. the knowledge that you have done your duty than In &fiy Other.thing that can come to you. Tlie fittest epitaph ever. written for' a man was on the tomb of Liawronoe at Lucknow. At hds own request were the words, Here lies John Lawrence. He tried to do his duty.’ Then there were Nelson’s last words, ‘Thank God, I have done my duty.’ If you can say that when your time comes,, you can say that you have not jlived in vain. Thank yell all for this opportunity of speaking to you.” (Loud and continued applause.)