KING TO HIS PEOPLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11473, 27 February 1918, Page 2

KING TO HIS PEOPLE.

THE EMPIRE’S ONE AIM. DEEDS OF ARMY AND NAVY. London, Feb. 9. The King, in his speech proroguing Parliament, said:— “Mv Lords and Gentlemen.— Since" last I addressed yon great events have happened. Within a few weeks of that occasion the United States decided to take its stand by the side of this country and our allies in defence o£ the I principles of liberty and justice. Its entry into the waft was followed by that of other neutral States, and has united practically the whole civilised world in a league of nations- against unscrupulous aggression. It has lent additional strength to our aims, and inspires fresh confidence in the ultimate triumph of our cause. “On the other hand, Russia, distracted by internal dissensions, has been unable to persevere in the struggle until the fruits of the groat sacrifices could have been reaped, and for the present she lias ceased to bea v her p*rt in the allied task. Negotiations opened by iier with tho oneni3 r , however, proved , that the ambitions which provoked this nuhappv war nro yet unabated. These tragic events have added to the burdens of the other allies, but have not impaired the vigour and loyalty with wiiich one and all continue to pursue tho common aim. “Amid the confusion of changing events, the determination of tho democracies of tho world to secure a just and enduring peace stands out over more clearly. ‘ ‘ln all tho theatres of war my naval and military forces have displayed throughout the year a noble courage, a high constancy, and a fixed determination which have won for them the admiration of tho people. •Tn France the enemy has been repeatedly and succe sfully thrown j back, and I wait with assurance tho ; further progress of the conflict. j “In Palestine and Mesopotamia I tho most revered and famous cities ; of tho Orients have been wrested , from tho Turk, while in Africa the enemy has lost the last remnant : of his colonial possessions.. In all j these holds tho forces of my Dominions and tho Indian Empire have borne their full share in tho toil and in tho glory of the.day. “I have watched with proud and grateful heart tho unvarying enthusiasm witli which all the sections of my people have responded to every demand upon them for this purpose, and, as they face tho final tests which may ho required to carry our efforts to'fruition, I pray that Almighty God may vouchsafe us His blessing. ’ ’