A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3307, 28 August 1911, Page 5

A FAREWELL MESSAGE.

PREMIER ON THE OLD LAND. Before leaving England on his return to New Zealand Sir Joseph Ward gave the following message to the Aepresentatives of the Press:— “I am leaving England with a feeling of deeper attachment to-day than Avhen I came here., and that is saying something. I desire to aeimowledge how very sincerely I appreciate the universal kindness extended to me during the ti'me I have been, in the Old Land. I have the strongest feelings of hope for a closer and more direct unity in the future between the Old Country and the sister nations beyond the seas. In New Zealand, from my youngest days until now, we have recognised that our strength is centred rn the Motherland and in the power of the British Navy, and although we are young we realise that it is on the Mother Land and the British Navy that we must rely for our main support. What I am anxious to see, as an oversea representative, .is a closer association between Great Britain and the selfgoverning Dominions, with a view to the preservation of this scattered Empi re as one in reality. The fact of oceans dividing us does not diminish the' necessity for our standing together, and "I am very proud to recognise that sentiment is growing both at Home and abroad in that direction. May Ibe allowed to take the opportunity of thanking one and all in the dear old Mother Land, for the universal courtesy and hospitality extended to us, and- to say how much I regret that pressure has prevented ..me from acknowledging it While in the Old .Land.”