THE BRITISH EMPIRE

Southland Times, Issue 19278, 24 June 1924, Page 5

THE BRITISH EMPIRE

MR MASSEY’S MESSAGE UNIQUE GRAMOPHONE RECORD FIRST MADE BY DOMINION PREMIER. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 23. For Empire Day twelve months ago Their Majesties the King and Queen spoke an Empire message which was broadcasted throughout the British Empire. In December last advantage was taken of the presence of Mr Massey in London in connection with the Imperial Conferences to get him to give a patriotic message to the Empire at large. This Mr Massey did, and the message has now been issued in the form of a record entitled: “The British Empire.” On the reverse side of the record appears very appropriately the New Zealand National Anthem, “God Defend New Zealand,” which was sung for the purpose by the well-known baritone, Peter Dawson, with a full chorus and orchestra, the whole concluding with a verse of “God Save the King.” Mr Massey’s Empire message is the first record made in this way by a dominion Premier. . The four-minute record is as follows:

Fellow Citizenrs, —I propose to address to you a few thoughts on the British Empire. _ It’s far-flung territories comprise one-fourth of the land surface of the globe, and its population numbers approximately four hundred and fifty million, of whom a very large majority differ from us of Anglo-Saxon races in blood language and colour. These people, like ourselves, glory in their British nationality and we hold the Empire as a sacred trust no less for them than for ourselves. Passages of history are rich with, the records of deeds that won the Empire, of brave and noble acts performed on sea and land, in war and peace. The fundamental principles of freedom, justice and independence have long been deeply implanted in our race and to British citizens I want to stress with all the emphasis at my command what a priceless heritage is ours to-day. It is for us to preserve it untarnished and to hand it on to succeeding generations, not only inviolate, but greater and more influential in everything that makes for the good of humanity. The dominions and dependencies of the Empire are linked to the Motherland by ties of blood, kinship and tradition. These ties were cemented by poignant sacrifices made in the Great War. The Imperial Conference at which I Have the honour of representing that most British of countries, the Dominion of New Zealand, is now engaged in an earnest consideration of the problems that confront the Empire. Among these* are questions relating to national defence and pre-eminently naval defence, which is of supreme and vital importance to an Empire which has been built up and exists by sea power. There are many matters also affecting our commercial and industrial prosperity which are receiving close attention, especially the speeding-up of our postal, telegraphic and shipping communications, and the promotion of our inter-Imperial trade, but there is no royal road to prosperity; it must be by industry and hard work on the part of each and everyone. By this means will the Empire fulfil what I believe to be its great mission—to spread justice, knowledge and peace into the darkest corners of the earth. With the blessing of Divine Providence, with wise statesmanship on the part of its rulers, and loyalty on the part of ite people, the British Empire will last for all time, the greatest the world has ever seen—the united nations of Britain, with one King, one Flag, and one Empire. No easy hope or lies shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice of body, will and soul. There is but one path for all, • For each one life to give. Who stands if freedom falls? Who dies if England lives?