SYDNEY LETTER Australians Seeking A National Anthem

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 2

SYDNEY LETTER Australians Seeking A National Anthem

(Australian Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 8 p.m.) SYDNEY. December 23. Because of. the playing of “God Save the Queen” during the victory ceremgnies for Australians at the Olympic Games, there is a strong demand for a national anthem that Australia can really call its own.

Thousands of people at the Games asked why Australian victories were marked by the playing of “God Save the Queen.” They wondered why Australia could not have its own officially-recognised anthem now that it has the status of independent nationhood. In doing so they did not imply the slightest disloyalty to Britain or to the Crown, but they did feel that Australia’s gold medallists were left unidentified by the playing of “God ‘Save the Queen” when they won an Olympic event. They argue that while “God Save the Queen” is acknowledged by every Briton as the key anthem of the British Commonwealth, there are times

when matters concerning Australia individually call for Australia’s own individual anthem, and the Olympic Games was one of those times.

Letters to the newspapers from many correspondents support the aims of the Australian national anthem quest movement set up last year. This movement is to submit, through a public participation contest, all suitable published songs or anthems, as well as those specially written for such a contest, so that the Australian public can register its, wishes on the matter.

The national anthem quest recognises that there will be extreme difficulty in getting unity on a national anthem. The last time an official attempt was made to test public opinion, some surprising reactions were produced. New South Wales and South Australia voted strongly for “Advance Australia Fair,” Victoria preferred “God Bless Australia,” and Western Australia and Queensland voted for “Song of Australia.” To complicate things further, there was strong independent support for “Waltzing Matilda.” The words of this song are considered by most people to be quite unsuitable for an anthem, but

almost any Australian will admit that the melody is peculiar to Australia. In opposition to those wanting a distincive national anthem are those who argue that “God Save the Queen” is Australia’s national anthem just as much as it is Britain’s. To this, those wanting a national anthem reply: “What about our owl flag; why don’t we make do with the Union Jack?” The Prime Minister. (Mr Menzies) is reputed to be a strong objector to an Australian anthem, and, in any case, it seems there is so much division of opinion about the best tune to adopt that agreement will never be possible. Today at some public functions a few bars of “Advance Australia Fair” are played after “God Save the Queen.” It is possible that this practice may grow—and satisfy those urging an Australian national anthem. * 4« ❖

The State Government’s proclamation of a holiday on New Year’s Eve has caused confusion and discontent in industry in New South Wales. The holiday applies only to people working under State awards, and many thousands of unionists covered by Federal awards will not get the holiday.

The Cahill Government added December 31 to the list of public holidays on the argument that not much work would be done next Monday. For this, the “Sydney Morning Herald” takes it to task, saying: “The fact that the concession would increase its own as well as the general bill, at a time when drastic economies -are being forced on State services, appears not to have troubled the Cabinet at all. Nor did it worry about the little matter of uniformity, as between Federal and Sate awards.” Mr Cahill said that' unions whose awards. did not provide for the in-

clpsion of additional proclaimed holidays could apply for a variation. Several unions covered by Federal awards did this, but have had their claims for the extra holiday refused by the Commonwealth Arbitration Commission. The Commissioners were not moved by the plea that, the New South Wales Government having declared . the Monday a holiday, employees under Federal jurisdiction should enjoy the same privilige. The result, says Mr A. H. Mullens, president of the Employers’ Federation of New South Wales, is discontent and confusion. Most retail shops will be closed on December 31 because assistants work under State awards. The majority of clerks, road transport workers, storemen and packers work under State awards. The majority of metal trades, clothing and textile workers are under Federal awards. Public servants and bank employees will get the holiday. ❖ * *

The Sydney harbour bridge has now been equipped with a new type of anti-suicide barrier. It is an aweinspiring iron framework, from which protrude more than 30 eight-foot taper spikes. It is painted in glaring orange.

The new structure is bolted on the arches of the bridge, and enclosed by the old barbed-wire barrier, which has failed to block determined suicide climbers.

An official said the barrier was also needed to prevent vandals and unauthorised persons from climbing on to the towering arches. If successful, the barrier will also prevent Commemoration Day stunts like the one recently when students hung a dummy from .the bridge. Fifty-four persons tried to jump from the bridge in the first year it was opened, and there have been frequent attempts since. * ❖ 4e

Sydney parents this year express grave concern about their children drinking at office and shop Christmas and New Year parties. The National Council of Women received a number of complaints that some parties had only beer, wine or spirits and parents complained that youths and girls, to avoid the embarrassment of i efusing a drink, had drunk alcohol for the first time.

The president of the National Council of Women (Mrs J. Metcalfe) said that so many complaints had been received that her organisation had written to big city stores and shops asking that non-alcoholic drinks be provided at their parties. Mrs Metcalfe said her council was specially worried about department stores because they employed hundreds of young people over the Christmas period. Many parents were afraid their children—most of whom had just left school—might be led into drink at an early age. 4s * 48

A 70-year-old man who believes he is a hoodoo —five men have been killed while working for him—will retire.

The man is Mr L. Welch, a banana grower, of West Kempsey, New South Wales. His two sons are among the five men killed since 1936. Four of the deaths occurred while Mr Welch was chief engineer of the Kempsey Electric Light and Power Company. They were all from electric shock. Last week, the fifth man was killed when a piece of wood from a circular saw he was working struck him. At the week-end,. Mr Welch rolled the circular saw down to the Macleay river and threw it in. He said he would now sell his banana plantation and retire. 4c # 4c Practically every resident in the tiny township of Albert, Western New South Wales, was stung when a swarm of bees went on the rampage. It began when a box holding thou-

sands of bees fell from a truck and broke. The bees swarmed into the town’s store and took complete charge of the petrol station. Every child in the town was stung, and most of the adults were, too, before the bees were killed with sprays.