THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25206, 10 June 1947, Page 8

THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN

GOVERNOR GENERAL’S TRIBUTE “CAPACITY FOR TAKING HARD DECISIONS” (P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 9. A tribute to the courage and character of the people of Britain was _ aid by the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Frey berg, V.C.) in a luncheon address at the Auckland Rotary Club. He Excellency said Great Britain was still “great,’ and affirmed his confident belief in the nation’s assured destiny in world affairs. “Unless you have seen the Old Country in war, you might be liable to under-estimate the powers and character of the people,” said Sir Bernard Freyberg. "England showed the world that she could ‘take it.’ ” In peace Britain was now hard at work recovering her trade. He recalled that before he left for New Zealand he visited many industrial centres, among them five pottery towns of Staffordshire. There he saw men and women wo king hard with their old skill, turning out lovely china products which were w’orks of art. “Alas it was all being sent abroad,’’ said his Excellency, “often to neutral countries whom we had fought to defend. None of the good china was for home use.” All the china products that could be bought in London in 1946, even in such shops as Thomas Goodes, were plain utility cups, but no saucers. Saucers were considered unnecessary. It was magnificent to see the way Britain was getting down to the job of re-establishing her export trade to pay for the war that she had done so much to win. “False Prophets” “It is interesting to see that many observers who do not appreciate the British character and people, and who are not necessarily unsympathetic to Britain, fall into the mistake of underestimating the toughness of the national character,” said his Excellency. “They imagine they see a decline of the Empire in terms of economics. It would perhaps be wise to remind them that others before them have predicted our downfall during the last century or more, only to prove false prophets.” The present financial difficulties were really something in Britain’s favour, said his Excellency. They showed the strength of the national character. The British people had resisted the temptation to abandon austerity, and had concentrated upon rebuilding their economy at the expense, of their creature comforts. That was a hard decision to take, but Britain had a capacity for taking hard decisions. “Britain is, as it were, in the position of a young, healthy man who has lost his savings, but still has great energy and skill, a zest for work, and a good kit of tools,” said Sir Bernard Freyberg. “It is impossible to keep such a man as this down, and so it is with Britain. She can ‘take it,’ that is certain, but we must do all we can to help her, if for no better reason that she is essential to us all. “This mourning for Britain is premature. She will emerge from the post-war transition period, never fear, with an assured place in world economy in which she can earn by her own efforts a livelihood bringing progressive improvement in the welfare of all her people.”