The Press THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1956 The Queen’s Broadcast

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28161, 27 December 1956, Page 6

The Press THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1956 The Queen’s Broadcast

The now traditional broadcast by the Sovereign occupies a special place among the Christmas pleasures of the people of the British Cnrnmnnwpa itn and Empire. It emphasises, in a peculiar and personal way. the many interests which are shared by and which unite Sovereign and people. Perhaps the strongest of these is the love of family, which is felt most deeply at Christmas. As the Queen said in her broadcast on Tuesday, the joy and hope of the. occasion that Christmas com-: memorates find their most complete fulfilment within the Icvmg circle of a united family ! It was appropriate, therefore, that when she spoke to her subjects throughout the world on Christmas Day. Her Majesty devoted special attention to the theme of family associations. The many persons who share the Royal Family’s experience this year of having a loved one absent from the family circle would surely find another bond of sympathy in i Her Majesty's references to the absence of a loved husrhand and father. The Sovereign’s broadcast signifies especially the link of interests shared by individual fam Pies of the Commonwealth in another kind of family—a family that is world-wide in its habitations, and which embraces,

men. wcmem and children of all, colours and creeds. The evolving Ccanmcnwealth is a growing and changing family of nations. ‘ In some respects its family ties have loosened; but experience may shew that a latitude freely' taken and freely granted will ; in the Long run strengthen the' desire to continue long-star ding ? associations. The future cannot j be foreseen; but the Queen ’ expressed a belief that is widely held outside the Commonwealth I as well as within when she said , • that the way our Common-1 wealth is developing represents one of the most hopeful and I imaginative experiments in; international affairs that the: world has ever seen. No-one . doubts that the wearer of the: Crown will continue to be ai vital ingredient—whether as the Sovereign of individual units or as Head of a Commonwealth that includes republics—as the experiment progresses. Pursuing her theme of family associations, the Queen mentioned the concern so many are .-haring at prpsert for ram Hies and members of families “ who ~ have been driven from their • “ homes by war or violence ” Renewed efforts throughout the Commonwealth to give refuge to Hungarians who fied their' homes will be inspired by Her. Majesty’s plea: “Let us see that “ for them and their children; :I “ there is ‘ room at the inn ’”. |