EMPIRE MESSAGE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 24 June 1924, Page 7

EMPIRE MESSAGE.

MK MASSEY’S RECORD

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 23

In December last advantage was taken oi me presence of Air Massey in jLonuon, in connection with the imperial Conierences to get lnm to give a patriotic message to the Empire. 'Jins lias now been issued in the rorm oi a record, entitled “The .British Empire,” winie on the reverse side of the record is very appropriately "Uod Deiend New Zealand,’' as sung by the well-known baritone, iYLr Jfeter Dawson. Mr Massey’s Empire message, the first record made in this way by the Dominion’s Premier, is as follows: ‘ ‘Eellow citizens: i propose to address to you a few thoughts on the British Empire, its far-flung territories compose one-fourth of the land surface of the globe, its population numbers approximately four hundred and fifty million, of whom a very large majority differ from us of AngloSaxon 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 lor ourselves. The passages of history are rich with records of deeds, that won the Empire, of brave and noble acts performed on sea and on land, in war and in 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 iWafi 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 problems that confront the Empire. Among these are questions relating to national defence and pre-eminently naval defence, of 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 communication, and the promoting of trade, but there is no royal road to prosperity—it must be by industry and bal'd work on the part of each and everyone. By this means, while the Empire fulfils what I believe to be its great mission—to spread justice, knowledge and peace into the darkest corners of the earth with the blessings of Divine Providence, with wise statemanship on the part of its rulers, loyalty on the part of its people, the British Empire will last for all time, the greatest the world has ever seen, the united nations of Britain one King, one Flag, one Empire.” • No easy hope or lies, Shall bring us to our goal, But iron strength of body, will and soul. _ _ There is but one wish for all, For each one life to give; Who stands if freedom falls? Who dies if England lives?”