“BETTER TIMES COMING”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19836, 27 June 1934, Page 8

“BETTER TIMES COMING”

LORD BLEDISLOE’S PRAYER

R.S.A. CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 26. An atmosphere of enthusiasm and loyalty to the Throne prevailed at the conference of the Returned Soldiers’ Association when Lord Bledisloe formally handed over to the Association a portrait of His Majesty, presented by the British Empire Service League. Sir Andrew Russell said that the delegates deeply appreciated the presence of his Excellency. Lord Bledisloe had been referred to as the Dominion's farmer Governor-General, but no reminder was necessary that he was also the country's Commander-in-Chief. That constituted a very definite link between his Excellency and the returned soldiers. Sir Andrew emphasised the allegiance to the King of every soldier of the Empire. Lord Bledisloe said that In the King we had an immense personal asset. He was not only the chief link of the Empire. but lived for his people and lived in their hearts. Accordingly his picture would serve to remind them of nothing but what was good, noble, upright and just. His life was an inspiration to his people from the highest to lowest in the land. Lord Bledisloe went on to deal with the lot of returned men at the present time and their courage. Sympathy was due to those in difficulty. He congratulated the returned men on their admirably conducted relief camps which were a model to the Dominion. “Men,” he said, “better times are coming. It is my earnest hope and prayer that they may materially improve the lot of those who, like ourselves and those whom you so efficiently represent, have deserved so well of their country and the Empire.”