EMPIRE STAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 6

EMPIRE STAND

PEOPLES UNITED FAITH IN CAUSE DEFENDING HERITAGE ROYAL TRIBUTES MEMBERS OF SERVICES FAMILY OF NATIONS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Asm.) (British Oliieinl Wireless.) Reed. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. 25. In a broadcast message to the Empire this afternoon, the King said that Christmas was above all a festival of peace and it was the “tragedy of this time that there are powerful countries whoso whole policy and direction are based on aggression and the suppression of all we hold dear for mankind. “It is this that has stirred our peoples and given them unity unknown in any previous war.’’ continued his Majesty. “We feel in our hearts that we are fighting against wickedness and this conviction will give us strength to persevere until victory is assured.” The King then paid warm tributes and sent greetings to the navy, the mercantile marine, the armies of the Empire and the air force. All Men of Our Ships

“At home we are. as it were, taking the strain for what may lie ahead of us, resolved and confident. We look with pride and thankfulness on the never-failing courage and devotion of the Royal Navy upon which, throughout the last four months, has burst a storm of ruthless and unceasing warfare,” said the King

“And when I speak of our navy today, I mean all the men of our ships who go down to the seas in ships—the mercantile marine, minesweepers, trawlers and drifters, from the senior officers to the last bov who has joined up. To every one in this great fleet, I send my message . of gratitude and greetings from myself as from all my peoples.

“The same message I send to the gallant air force which, in co-opera-tion with the navy, is our sure shield of defence They are daily adding laurels to those that their fathers won.

“I would send a special word of greetings to the armies of the Empire, to those who come from afar and in particular to the British Expeditionary Force. Their task is hard. They are waiting.

‘ Waiting is a trial of nerve and discipline, but I know that when the moment comes for action, they will prove themselves worthy of the highest traditions of their great service. “To all who are preparing themselves to serve their country on the sea or on land or in the air, I send greetings at this time. One Same Purpose “Men and women of our far-flung Empire, working in their several vocations with one same purpose, all are members of a great family of nations which is prepared for sacrifice, so that freedom of the spirit may be saved to the world,” be continued. "I believe from my heart that the cause which binds together my peoples and our gallant faithful allies is the cause of Christian civilisation." His Majesty sent a special message to members of the merchant navy and the fishing fleets, owing to it being impossible to send each member a Christmas card as he did to the members of the fighting forces. The King sat alone in his study at Sandringham House during the broadcast to all his peoples of the Christmas message with homely encouragement which marked his father's historic broadcasts. It is a stirring declaration for its courage.

The King spoke through the same microphone as he used on his first Christmas broadcast in 1937. He then intended to discontinue the practice, because it was so personally connected with King George V. However, he broadcast to-day because the peoples were at war. The King had Christmas luncheon with the Queen and the Princesses. A little later he left the family and went alone to his study. The Queen and Princesses entered another room to wait to hear his words through a loudspeaker. |