GREETINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR

New Zealand Listener, Volume 10, Issue 236, 31 December 1943, Page 3

GREETINGS FOR THE NEW YEAR

From the Rt. Hon.

P.

Fraser

| P.C., M.&., Prime Minister | * *

From the Hon.

D.

Wilson

M.L.C., Minister of Broadcasting

"The New Zealand Listener’ in expressing gratitude for New Zealand’s record of achievement in defence of the principles of peace and goodwill, The fifth Christmas in the tumult of world war brought to New Zealand a gift in the form of greater reason than ever for continuance of resolute effort to maintain liberty and progress. The cause of the United Nations in their conflict with the forces of evil steadily prospers. It goes forward with increasing strength, All the ruthless enemies of freedom are not now so much fighting to extend their earlier harsh conquests of peaceloving nations as they afe struggling desperately to avert a retributive defeat. Their arrogance has slumped to anxiety. There is fear behind their ferocity. Here in this fortunate land we could all enjoy the happiness of the Christmas festival. The country is still bountiful and blessed with freedom from the material havoc of war. Moreover, we can look across the fourth year of war with grateful pride. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and army nurses have maintained a high standard of courage. They have been faithful in strenuous duty, and have set a noble example in splendid service. The people on the home front have played their pert well in supporting their armed forces in far countries. As a result of united effort, we can all look forward to the New Year with renewed confidence in ultimate victory for the United Nations, The need of fighting on with all our resources remains the first duty of the nation. In giving hard blows, we must also be able to take them, for t enemy is not yet a spent force. Yet knowledge that the whole community must share in service and such sacrifices as war always exacts did not chill the joy of Christmas. On the contrary, the opportunities of translating the spirit of Christmas into deeds which the coming year will bring in still further sacrifice and service, particularly for the purpose of helping the people of Britain, should be welcomed gladly by all. IT GLADLY join with readers of

Even in wintry lands in the Old World and also in the steaming heat of tropical jungles, our servicemen and intrepid nurses within sight and sound of carnage celebrated, perhaps in a grim way, the sentiment of the Christmas season, And we can be sure that although their thoughts and hearts were with their kinsfolk here at home, they did not relax their vigilance. So it should also be with the people in this land of relative peacefulness and go00d fortune. To all out armed forces everywhere, to their gallant comrades, and to all citizens, I extend warm greetings and wishes for their happiness in the New Year.

HE year 1943 has been chiefly notable for the great improvement in the war situation on all fronts, and 1944 will be a year of planning, not only tor final victory, but for national reconstruction and the rehabilitation into industry and commerce of all those whose wartime duties have taken them away from their prewar civil functions, Apatt from the most important matter of material rehabilitation, in which radio will, of course, play its part, it is recognised that social and cultural developments must form an important factor in the successful readjustment of the community to postwer conditions. Modern broadcasting has utility and entertainment values which have never before been at the disposal of mankind, and when at the end of the war the further marvel of television is added to the present-day almost-perfect reproduction of the human voice and of musical instruments, then indeed will open up such vistas of enjoyment and culture as have hitherto been the prerogative of a fortunate few only. The importance of radio in the modern world is such that kings and governors, premiers and military commanders seek its aid to promulgate laws and regulations to their own people, and to declare conditions of war and peace to their enemies. By its agency the thought and action of the community can be unified or dominated

(for good or il), to an extent never before possible in the history of the world. Here in New Zealand we aim, by the agency of radio, to seat the whole of the people in the gallery of Parliament, to bring to all citizens a knowledge of what happens in the town hall, and to widen the walls of the concert chamber so that New Zealand’s own talent may be heard not only in this Dominion but also by people tar beyond this nation’s frontiers. To all members of the Broadcasting Service — National and Commercial — many thanks for the manner in which yéu have singly or collectively helped to keep up the morale of the people of New Zealand during the days. of anxiety and stress, and to all the 373,000 listeners who, by their forbearance in difficult times, have made our tasks easier and more pleasant, a very happy New Year. And may 1944 bring peace to a troubled world.