TRIBUTE BY QUEEN

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31560, 23 December 1967, Page 13

TRIBUTE BY QUEEN

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 22. Queen Elizabeth said today that she shared the grief of Australians in the loss of Harold Holt. “For ail Australians, Christmas this year is shadowed by the tragic death of the Prime Minister (Mr Harold Holt),” she said. “For me, it is a personal loss as well as the loss of a distinguished servant of the public. “I had met him many times during his long ministerial service and, as Prime Minister, I had come to know him well and to look forward to our meetings when he came to London. “In a short space of time

as Prime Minister, many people round the world had responded to his forceful personality, and through him were able to gauge many Australian characteristics.

“We admired especially his great capacities and warmed to his friendliness.

“Such a tragedy seems particularly cruel only a few days before Christmas, and my deepest sympathy goes out to his wife and family. 1 pray that God will comfort them.

“My Christmas message to the Commonwealth had, of course, been recorded before the terrible news of Mr Holt’s disappearance, but at a time when all Australians must feel that this festive season has been clouded by sorrow, I want you to know that I, and all my family, are sharing in your grief.”