ROYAL MESSAGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15448, 10 September 1914, Page 7

ROYAL MESSAGE.

TO DAUGHTER NATIONS. STATES BRITAIN'S ATTITUDE. PRAISES DOMINIONS' PATRIOTISM CPer Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. At 8.30 this evening tho Hon. W. F. Master eamo into tho Houso and stated that lib Excellency tho Governor had just received a messago from tho King, which he was anxious to deliver to tho people, and ho proposed to read it from the front stops of Parliament Buildings. Ho (Mr Massey) moved that the House adjourn for a few minutes to enable members to be present. This course was adopted, and the Legislative Council also adjourned. There was a largo gathering of legislators and tho public at tho main entrance to Parliament houso when, at 5.33, His. Excellency arrived, and announced that at S o'clock that evening he had received tho following messago, which tho King had been graciously pteased to send to tho Governments and peoples of his self-governing Dominions, and which he desired to read to them.

"To tho Governments and peoples of my self-gorerning Dominions.

" During tho past few weeks tho peoples oF my whole Empire at Home and Overseas have moved with one mind and purpose to confront and overthrow an unparalleled assault upon tho cont butty of civilisation and tho peace of mankind. Tho calamitous conflict is not of my seeking. My voice has been cast throughout on the sido of peace. My Ministers earnestly strovo to allay tho causes of strife, and to appease differences with which my Empire was not concerned. Had I stood aside when, in defiance of pledges to which my Kingdom was a party, the soil of Belgium was violated and her cities laid desolate, when tho very life of tho French nation was threatened with extinction, I should have sacrificed my honour and given to destruction the liberties of my Empire and of mankind.

"I rejoice that every part of the Empire is with me in this decision. The paramount regard for treaty fahh, and the pledged word of rulers and people*, is the common heritage of Great Britain and of the Empire. My people in the self-governing Dominions have shown beyond all doubt that they ■whole-heartedly endorse the brave decision which it was necessary to take. My personal knowledge of the loyalty and devotion of ruy Overseas Dominions had led me to expect that they would cheerfully make the great efforts and loar the great sacrifices which havo placed their services at my disposal. It fills me with gratitude,, and I am proud to be able to show to the world that my peoples Overseas are as determined a* tlio people of the "United Kingdom to prosecute a* just cause to a successful end.

"The Dominion of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Dominion of New Zealand have placed at my disposal their naval forces, which have already rendered good service for tho Empire. Strong Expeditionary Forces are being prepared in Canada, in Australia, and in New Zealand, for service at tho front, and the Union of South Africa has res leased all BritLsh troops and has; undertaken important military respon-stbiliti-""s on its own account, the dis-! charge of which wilt be of the utmost f vatao to tho Empire. Newfoundland has doubled the number of its branch • of the Royal Naval Reserve, arid is sending a body of men to take partin the operations at the front. From the Dominion and the Provincial Governments of Canada largo and welcome sifts of supplies are, on the way. for the us© both of Naval and Military Forces, and for the use of | the distressed in the United King-! dom, which mttst inevitably follow in i the wake of war. All parts of my 1 Overseas Dominions have thus de- j monst rated in tho most unmistakable manner the fundamental unity of the Empire* amidst all its dirersitv of situation ana circumstance.

"GEORGE, U- AND 1. - '

At tiie conclusion iif his Excellency's speech Mr Mo.-sey the people briefly. He said lie was rjistte sure that every one wottM agree that the Message was worthy of the occasion, and that the sentiment obtaining in New Zealand was common to the whole Empire. He hoped and Indieved that the worst of the crisw was over, but thev would see it through to the end

though the life itnd property of every male Mibiw-t was placed at the Empire's call.

Cne'-rs were then given for the King and for the (inventor, artel •'God Save th»- King" was sung, followed by further cheers.