NEW ZEALAND HEALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3015, 27 December 1911, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND HEALS.

ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR. AUCKLAND December 19. A large gathering oi about 3000 children was held in the new Town Hall today, when the principal items in the proceedings were addresses by the Governor and the Mayor of Auckland. His .Excellency, who was received with thunderous applause by the young folk, said that yesterday he was present in the same hall to do honour to New Zealand of the past; to-day they were there to contemplate New Zealand of the future, and in the hands of his hearers largely rested the future not only of the city of Auckland, but of the Dominion. —(Applause.) What was above all things required of the rising generation were well-balanced minds and a patriotic spirit to promote to the best of their ability what lay before them and for the good of New Zealand.—(Applause.) " New Zealand's strength and vitality," continued his Excellency impressively, "is bound up indiseolubly and inseparably .in its disposition as a part and parcel of the British Empire. Let none of yott be led away by the fallacious idea that New Zealand in its on-, ward march and progress can continue that progress and security detached from the family of the British Empire.—(Loud applause.) It is your connection with the British Empire as a free constitutional country, governed by your own laws and carrying out your own work in your own way, but still remaining in the family of the British Empire, that will guarantee your own strength and progress as a people in the future.—(Loud applause.) Therefore one and all of you young and old keep strong within you the knowledge and conviction that tho strength of the British Empi re means the security and progress of New Zealand. If you keep that inspiration deep within you both in work and play, you will be rendering your share of patriotic effort for the good of New Zealand, and for the good of the British Empire as loyal and devoted subjects of the King. —(Loud and thunderous applause.)