The Press THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1962. The Queen’s Broadcast

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30015, 27 December 1962, Page 8

The Press THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1962. The Queen’s Broadcast

Each year the peoples of the Commonwealth look forward to the Queen’s broadcast as a feature of their Christmas celebrations. This year, in New Zealand, Her Majesty’s message was of special interest because very soon she and her husband will revisit the Dominion. The dominant themes of the Queen’s address—the special relationship of Commonwealth countries, one to another; regard for the virtues of the family and universal brotherhood; and the importance of ideals to each man's life—were, perhaps, familiar enough; but Her Majesty discussed them in an essentially contemporary context, and related them neatly to constitutional and scientific developments. Probably this was a more uniformly serious speech than most Royal Christmas broadcasts; certainly it reflected a maturity of outlook, a breadth of vision, and an awareness of progress, upon all of which is best founded national and Commonwealth leadership. This year’s broadcast omitted the customary references to the Royal Family’s own Christmas activities. Instead, Her

Majesty concentrated upon making, with immense sincerity, a simple appeal for the rededication of everyone to the finer things without which human existence would be purposeless. This appeal might well be considered in association with the sensible decision—taken at the instance of the Queen herself—to commemorate Her Majesty’s forthcoming tour of New Zealand, not by adding to the personal possessions of the Royal Family or to the stored miscellany of Royal souvenirs, but by the establishment of an arts trust, bearing the Queen’s name, and devoted to the advancement of the national culture. No nation is complete without its cultural values. Technologically, New Zealand must reconcile itself to lagging behind those bigger nations to which the world owes scientific achievements such as the Telstar communications satellite. There is far less excuse for being a cultural laggard It is excellent news, therefore, that the Royal visit will be a means of fostering permanent cultural gains for all New Zealanders.