A SOUTHLAND CREED

Southland Times, Issue 17823, 1 July 1918, Page 5

A SOUTHLAND CREED

THE PROVINCE AND ITS PEOPLE. The splendid feeling of local patriotism and confidence in the future of the district expressed by speakers at the Southland League's dinner was eloquently cryslalised | by Mr 11. Fowler in responding to the toast Icf success to the Southland League. Mr I Fowler is one of the League’s vice-presidents i and an enthusiastic worker for the progress !of the district. He had the gathering enI tirely with him when he recited his own | creed of faith in Southland. It is a creed i which every’ Southlimder might very’ well “paste in his hat” and read once a day until it is, indelibly impressed in his memory. It would be a good thing for every Southlander to carry about with him a little of Mr Fowler’s enthusiasm. For the value of its lesson and its message Mr Fowler’s creed is printed in full:— I believe in Southland, in the beneficence of its climate, the fertility of its soil and ! the industry of its people, j I believe in the strength of its sons, the beauty and courage of its daughters, and the character of both. I believe in the power of its rivers, the beauty of its lakes, the majesty of its mountains, and the glory of its forests. I believe in the soundness of its business, the enterprise-of its traders, and the publicspiritedncsß of its administrators. I believe in Invercargill, its capital, through which its business must pass and which- will one day be a city. I believe in the Bluff, its chief port, where the ships of all nations may come and go in safety, bringing us the things we desire from other* lands and carrying away the products of our industry and of c.ur fertile soiL I believe in the Southland League whose very existence is a proof of the spirit that is abroad among us and a perpetual call to the highest, citizenship.