NOTE OF OPTIMISM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26349, 2 January 1947, Page 4

NOTE OF OPTIMISM

CONFIDENCE IN FUTURE GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S MESSAGE “JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL” (PA.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 1. Optimism was the keynote of the New Year’s Eve broadcast message by the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg. His Excellency said that' when he had broadcast seven years ago on the eve of the departure of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. for the Middle East, he was filled with anxiety by the task that lay ahead and wondered, after he had broadcast, whether it was

wrong to be as Optimistic as he was. Although there were still disquieting factors in the world, there was now a more solid reason for optimism, and he felt it was right now to strike a confident note. “ That I face the future with such confidence, looking out upon an unsettled world, may seem, as in 1939, to be the act of an optimist,” Sir Bernard said. “I( I am an optimist by nature, it is from my experience of life, which has taught me that justice and square dealing, in the end, always prevail. It follows, therefore, that as we believe in the justice of our principles, we believe also in the destiny of our Empire. That is our first and most solid reason for our belief in the future.” His Excellency said that befox-e the unsettled world returned to .normal, we must be prepared for difficult times. This was more true of conditions in the Old Country, and he knew we would all give a lot to ease the load they carried at Home. The war had cemented the British Empire more solidly than ever —which was another cause for optimism—while New Zealanders had emerged from the war with a feeling of confidence in themselves. If we could come through the war with credit and even with great honour, we should possess thf qualities to carry us to success in peace. Sir Bernard paid a tribute to the womanhood of New Zealand, and also emphasised the deeply religious side to the national character. “ Let us look forward to 1947,” he concluded, “ with confidence and determination, and work together for the common good of our people, our country and our Empire.” *