THE BATTLE OF LIFE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 35

THE BATTLE OF LIFE.

ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR-GEXERAI. WELLINGTON, October 12. “ When you are purchasing goods try to purchase goods that are made in your own country, and if they are not available try to purchase goods that come from countries that trade with your country; and, first of all, of course, stands Great Britain—the Mother Country. Unless we show our patriotism in these things as our forefathers did in the great battles on the sea as well as on the land, we are not true patriots.” These remarks were made by his Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Lord Bledisloe) at the presentation of Navy League and school flags at Scots College on Saturday afternoon.

“What do these flags mean? ” said his Excellency. “ All those who read the history of the Battle of Trafalgar will realise one thing—that the Union Jack means—what did Nelson say on that occasion? England expects every man this day to do his duty. That is just what the Empire expects of her sons, and her daughters to-day. What is our duty? Our duty is, first of all, to God; secondly, to our King; and thirdly, to our fellow-men and women; and that duty, boys, is going to lie pressingly on your shoulders in the future. New Zealand and the Empire are going to be what you and others like you choose to make it. Remember that the burden of Empire in days to come is not going to rest mainly or sole.ly upon the Old Country. She has done her part in the past and, with God’s help, will do her part in the future. It is up to you to help her in the task and to do your duty. “ We are told that the Navy League has other ambitions than the mere maintenance of an efficient and sufficient navy,” continued his Excellency. “It has ambitions to protect the trade of this country and the trade of the Empire. Many of you boys will go into trade and industry in the days to come, and, if we are going to keep our Empire together, if New Zealand is going to be a prosperous country, it is very necessary that those who go into trade and industry should be properly equipped for the task, and it is very necessary also for all of us, whether we are in the trade or not, to foster trade within the Empire to the best of our ability. There are some great men representing not only the Old Country but every part of the British Empire, conferring to-day in London as to how best to promote the trade routes of the Empire in the interests not of one part only but of every part of it. Surely, it is our duty to our fellow-men and women never to do anything without considering what effect that action will have on others. In that connection let us consider how we spend what little money we have in these depressed times. You may, by spending carelessly, do so much harm not merely to your country but to other people, especially to those who are out of employment. You boys have opportunities which your parents and grandparents had not. You are being instructed in this school in such a way as. will make you useful citizens, Godly citizens, and citizens who will be well equipped for your task in life’s work. Take every advantage of it. Remember that education is drawing-out of you your own good and for that of your fellows what is inherent in you. Make the best of those talents which God has endowed to you. Never lose an opportunity to improve yourselves for the battle of life.”