BRIGHTER FUTURE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 7

BRIGHTER FUTURE

THE CLOUDS LIFTING CHRISTMAS GREETINGS LORD BLEDISLOE’S MESSAGE ( Per Press Association. J WELLINGTON, Dec. 21. The Governor-General’s Xmas message to the people of New Zealand and the dependencies says:— “I desire to express to the whole population of this Dominion and of the Pacific islands within its administration, the most hearty good wishes of Lady Bledisloe and myself that happiness may be their lot this Christmas-tide, and that a definite revival of economic prosperity may, during the New Year, brighten their lives and sustain their confidence in their country and themselves. “For the last two years at least, the industrial depression has hung heavy over this land of promise, which is so richly endowed by nature. Unemployment has been rife and the outlook overcast with uncertainty and anxiety. Now that the clouds arc lifting, let us all take heart of grace and develop that confident hope in the future which is so prolific in promoting enterprise and accelerating tho advent of prosperity.

“We have, with the deepest sympathy, shared your sorrows ami anxieties. We shall, in,a spirit of genuine comradeship, share the happiness of your revived material good fortune. One of your chief primary products which has yielded little or no profit to its producers for the last three years Las recovered its true value in the world’s markets, and there is good reason for believing that with the improved purchasing power of other nations, and notably of the Old Country, other New Zealand products will follow suit with resulting advantage alike to our rural and urban communities. “On xhe threshold of this new era, let those who have means, remember this Christmastide with generous solicitude the many whom undeserved economic adversity has brought to the brink of utter destitution, and thus strengthen their sense ot mutual comradeship and brighten their outlook for the happier days which appear to .be coming. Christmas is essentially a period of abounding and generous goodwill, when nationally, imperially, racially and domestically we should bind ourselves closer to one another with a consciousness of community of interest and mutual regard. Let us not forget our invaluable partnership with Britain—the kindly £ld mother who is ever mindful of her children’s needs—and with other countries of the British commonwealth of nations. Let us especially, too, remember in friendly sympathy our Maori people whose privations have been great and their patience and courage outstanding during the recent period of economic misfortune, and whom we are proud to recognise as equal partners with ourselves in the heritage which we share as fellow subjects of the King in this highly-favoured section ef the great British Empire. Let both races, with mutual helpfulness and mutual confidence and respect, advance with even step to the achievement of the high destiny which, with tho blessing of God, awaits them as one happy and united nation in the days that are to come. To each and all, pakeha and Maori, we confidently and cordially wish a merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. ’’