The Queen’s message

Press, 26 December 1979, Page 4

The Queen’s message

NZPA London The Queen yesterday paid tribute to Commonwealth leaders for laying the basis of the Rhodesia settlement signed in London last week. , At a Commonwealth sumI mit in Zambia in August, leaders of the 39 Commonwealth countries agreed to a British-convened conference to end Rhodesia’s 14-year independence dispute. In her Christmas message to the Commonwealth yesterday, the Queen, who attended the Lusaka summit, said the meeting "demonstrated the great value of personal contact and the desire of all leaders to settle their differences in the friendly spirit of a family gathering.” The message was also sent to Rhodesia for the first time since the former Prime Minister (Mr lan Smith) declared the territory unilaterally in[dependent of Britain in 1965.

| Queen Elizabeth also praised the efforts of people jin the Commonwealth to give laid to the needy in SouthEast Asia. I “In this year of the child people all " over the world have been asked to give particular thought to the special needs of sick and handicapped children, to the hungry and homeless and to those in trouble or distress wherever they may be found. "It is an unhappy coincidence that political and economic forces have made this Jan exceptionally difficult and (tragic year for many families :and children in several parts | of the world — but particuilariv South-East Asia,” she ,said. | "The situation has created (a desperately serious challenge and I am glad to know (that so many of the people (of the Comomnwealth have (responded with wonderful 'generosity and kindness.”