THE KING'S BROADCAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 December 1940, Page 5

THE KING'S BROADCAST

MESSAGE OF SOBER CONFIDENCE AND HOPE

New Unity and Harmony Born of War

MUST BE CONTINUED IN DAYS TO COME

FEET OF NATION ON PATH TO VICTORY

Following is the Christinas message broadcast by his Majesty the King to the peoples of the Empire: — “In days of peace the feast of Christmas is a time when we gather together in our homes, the young and the old, to enjoy the happy festivity and goodwill which the Christmas message brings. It is, above all, children’s day, and I am sl [ ie that we shall all do our best to make the day a happy one lor them wherever they may be. War brings, among other sorrows, the sadness of separation. There are many in the forces awaj from their homes today, because they must stand ready and alert to resist the invader should he dare to come, or because they are sailing the dark seas or pursuing the beaten foe in the Libyan desert. , “Many family circles are broken. Children from English homes are today in Caifeida, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, for not only has the manhood of the whole Briflish Commonwealth rallied once more to the aid of the Mother Country in her hour of need, but the peoples of the Empire have eagerly swung open the doors of their homes to our children so that they may be spared from the strain and danger of modern war. And in the United States also, where we hud so many generous loyal friends and organisations to give, us unstinted help, warm-hearted people are keeping.and caring for many of our children till the war is over. But how many more children are there here who have been moved from their homes to safer quarters. To all of them, at home and abroad, who are separated from their fathers and mothers, th their kind friends and hosts and to all who love them, to the parents who will be lonely without them, from all in our dear island, I wish every happiness that Christmas can bring. May the New Tear carry on towards victory and to happier Christmas days, when everyone will be at home together in years to come. “To older people here and throughout the world I would say that in the last great war the flower of our youth was destroyed and the rest of the people saw little of the battle. This time we are all in the front line and in danger together and I know that the older people among us are proud that it should be so.”

“Remember this: If the war brings separations, it brings a new unity also —unity which comes from, common perils and common sufferings, -willingly shared. To be good comrades and good neighbours in trouble is one of the finest opportunities of the civilian population and by facing hardships and discomforts cheerfully and resolutely, not. only do they do their own duty, but play their part in helping the fighting services to win the war.” “Time and again during these last few months I have seen the battered towns and cities of England. I have seen the British people facing their ordeal and I can say to them all that they may be justly proud of their race and nation. On every side I have seen a new and splendid spirit, of fellowship springing up and a desire to share burdens and resources alike. Out of all this suffering there has been growing a harmony ■which we must carry forward in the days to come when we have endured to the end and ours'is the victory. Then, when Christmas days are happy again and goodwill has come back to the world, we must hold fast to the spirit which binds us all together now. We shall need this spirit in each of,our own lives as men and women and shall need it even more among the nations of the world. We must go on thinking less about ourselves and more for one another. For so, and so only, can we hope to make the world a better place and life a worthier thing. “And now I wish you all a happy Christmas and a happier New Year. We may look forward to it with sober confidence. We have surmounted a grave crisis. We do not under-rate the dangers and difficulties whiph confront us still, but we take courage and comfort from the successes which our, fighting men and their allies have won, at heavy odds, by land and air and sea. The future will be hard, but we have our feet planted on the path of victory and with the help of God we shall make our way to justice and to peace.”