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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 78

to bring the officers and men of the Expeditionary Forces to the state of real
efficiency which I am happy to inform you they have attained.

The response of men of both races in this Dominion to the Empire's call has been
a source of pride to the people of New Zealand, and of satisfaction to myself and my
Ministers. Not only have the men come forward in the numbers required, but they
have cheerfully accepted the drudgery and hardship of training, and have been
only too anxious to be ready at the earliest possible moment for active service. You
will remember that a section of the first Expeditionary Force was despatched in
August last to Samoa. The German authorities surrendered to our Force on the 29th
day of August, and German Samoa has since been administered under the direction
of the Imperial Government, Colonel Logan of the New Zealand Forces being
Administrator, in command of a garrison of New Zealand troops. The second part of
the first Expeditionary Force travelled via Australia to Egypt, where the men were
in camp for some months completing their training. Large reinforcements have
been sent at intervals. The Fifth left our shores during the present month, and
further reinforcements in large numbers are now training at the Trentham Camp.

Of the conduct, efficiency, and courage of our troops in action we have
every reason to be proud. Shortly after the New Zealand and Australian troops
were landed at the Dardanelles a gracious and most welcome message was received
from His Majesty the King in the following terms:

“I heartily congratulate you upon the splendid conduct and bravery displayed
by the New Zealand troops at the Dardanelles, who have indeed proved themselves
worthy sons of the Empire.—GEORGE R.”

To which I replied as follows:

“On behalf of myself, my Government, and the people of New Zealand I desire
respectfully to thank Your Majesty for your most gracious message. We are all
proud of the manner in which the New Zealand troops have acquitted themselves,
and we eagerly look forward to hearing further details of the operations in the
Dardanelles.—LIVERPOOL.”

There has been a long list of casualties, but we may rest assured that those
who have fallen have done, and those who are still in the line will continue to do,
their duty gallantly and fearlessly.

You will be asked to make due provision by pension and otherwise for the
families of those who have given their lives, and for the men who have become
disabled, in the service of their King and country, and for their dependants; and
I commend this subject specially to your careful and generous consideration.

It has been our privilege to take part with all the Dependencies of the Crown,
and with the armies of the United Kingdom and those of our brave Allies, in the
struggle for liberty and free government. But we could not have taken that part,
we could hardly have sent any Force from our shores, had not the safety of our
transports on the seas been ensured by the protection of His Majesty’s ships of the
Imperial and Australian Squadrons, conjoined with the navies of our Allies. To
the Navy we owe also our present sense of safety and security, and the practical
immunity of the highways of our commerce from danger.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

The estimates have been prepared for your consideration with due regard to
economy, but the abnormal expenditure consequent on the war has been, and will
continue to be, very large. Doubtless you will determine that some proportion of
the cost should be provided from loan-moneys. You will be called upon to
consider measures for the provision of that part which should be supplied from
revenue.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

My Ministers are satisfied that at the present juncture, when we are all united
in our determination to prosecute the war until an honourable peace is arrived at,
no legislation the discussion of which would involve party strife should be submitted
to you. In addition to legislation arising out of and consequent on the war, to which
I have previously referred, you will be invited to give your attention to such amend-
ments of the existing statute law as appear to be urgently required. You will have,
in addition, the measures of purely local interest which may be submitted to you
from the various districts of the Dominion.

I trust that Divine Providence may guide your deliberations to the advantage
of our Sovereign, of his Empire, and of this Dominion.

By Authority: JOHN MACKEY, Government Printer, Wellington.