EMPIRE DAY

Otago Witness, Issue 3245, 24 May 1916, Page 21

EMPIRE DAY

CELEBRATION IN CALIFORNIA. MESISAGE FROM MR MASSEY. WELLINGTON, May 22. Recently the president of the Caledonian Club of Los Angeles, California, wrote to the Prime Minister of New Zealand asking for a message to be read at a great British Empire Day gathering, to be held on May 24. The president mentioned that the gathering would include Englishmen, Scotsmen, Welshmen, Irishmen, Canadians, New Zealanders, Australians, Frenchmen, Belgians, Italians, Serbians, Montenegrins, Russians, and Japanese, and that it would give_ the people of the United States an inspiring proof of British solidarity. Mr Massey replied as follows:—"Though separated from America by many leagues 01 ocean, New Zealand joints most cordially with the sons and daughters of Britain who are celebrating British Empire Day in California. In whatever part of tho »Lid British people are to be found to-day .K»y are one in heart and sympathy, one in love for the land of their fathers, ona in pride of Empire, one in their desire to keep flying thj grand old flag—the emblem of liberty and freedom and righteousness —■ which to-day waves over a people mora closely united than at any time in all their history, and more determined than over to stand together for all the sacred privilege* handed down to them by heroic anoestors. To-day, after two years of the bloodiest and most exhausting war the world has ever known, they are more keenly resolved than ever to do their full share in securing victory for their Empire and its galland allies. New Zealand, though one of tho youngest members of the great Imperial family, has freely given of her best and bravest for the great causes in which wo are engaged, and to-night sends her message across the Pacifio to tho huge gather, ing of our kith and kin assembled. Stand fast for the right; God bless tho Empire; God save tho King." CONSOLIDATING THE EMPIRE. WELLINGTON, May 22. The following telegram was received recently by the Prime Minister (tho Righs Hon. W. F. Massey) from the editor of Land and Water, London: —"Land and; Water will publish a special five national number on Empire Day, and is arranging for individual messages from the Prima Ministers of tho five nations. I should greatly appreciate a mess-age from you on what New Zealand 1 is doing to will tho watf and consolidate the Empire." In response to this request Mr Massey has despatched the following message:—"ln tho cause of liberty and freedom for which Britain has drawn the sword our dominion's sons are taking their place in the fighting line, and will continue to do so until a final and decisive victory comes. Fifty-five thousand sturdy New Zealanders have already responded to the call of duty, more ara coming, and reinforcements will regularly go forward. On this anniversary ot. Empire Day the world beholds the British nation more firmly united than at any time in its past history. Reverses, when they occur, serve only to strengthen our determination; to win this war at all costs, and New Zealand, along with the other oversea dominions, taking pride in her loyalty and devotion to King and country, will not relax her efforts now or after the war to ensure for all time the safety and integrity of tha Empire." _^__