Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 1940. THE KING’S BROADCAST.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 256, 26 September 1940, Page 6

Manawatu Evening Standard. THURSDAY, SEPT. 26, 1940. THE KING’S BROADCAST.

In words simple but eloquent His Majesty tlie King has again spoken to bis people throughout the Empire, and to others who sense the deep justice of the British cause. His speech cannot have failed to thrill every part of the vast dominion over which he rules, with its brief survey of the position in which Britain now finds herself as the result of all the momentous events of the past year, its tributes to the spirit of the people who face the enemy alone, its appreciation of the help that is coming from all parts of the Empire and the goodwill of “all who love freedom,” and its dignified note of courage in the task that lies ahead. It was King George Y’s pleasure to speak of his vast peoples as a family and His Majesty adopts the same expressive symbol in saying that the struggle of the Mother Country has been made the struggle of the whole family. As the head of this family His Majesty and his beloved Queen occupy a devoted place in everyone’s hearts. None can forget the calculated attempt by Goering’s airmen to assassinate .them as part of Germany’s warfare. It happily failed but Buckingham Palace has its “honourable scars.” Today Britain is in the front line of the war, its defenceless people in open towns and cities the victims of the desperate and horribly cruel form of strife practised by the Nazis. Their Majesties have seen its awful and narrowly escaped harm if not death from the enemy’s bombs. The words they speak to all sufferers, from London to the smallest raided hamlet, are inspired by the deepest feelings for their agony and appreciation of the high courage they are showing as an inspiration to all to persevere to defeat the enemy. In the Battle of London deeds of great valour have been recorded ; thousands more may well be never heard of, but appreciation will be none the less for all that is being done by those who come within the scope of air raid precaution work. They are indeed worthy partners of the Fighting Services and others to whom the defence of Britain is committed. It was a typically thoughtful act on the King’s part to create a new mark of honour to commemorate the gallantry of these civilians. He has given' his name to the George Cross, which will take rank next to the Victoria Cross, and to the George Medal for wider distribution. In this way will the valour of civilians receive a fitting reward; total warfare brings them within the battlefield and they no less than many others are playing a very worthy part in defeating the enemy.', “We live in grind times,” said His Majesty towards the end of liis speech, “and it may be that the future will be grimmer yet.”

That should be the realisation of everyone in the Empire to-day, and it abundantly emphasises what King George had to say in his Empire Day broadcast: “The decisive struggle is now upon us. It is no mere territorial conquest that our enemies are seeking. It is the overthrow, complete ■ and final, of this Empire and of everything for which it stands; and after that the conquest of the world. And if their will prevails they will bring to its accomplishment all the hatred and cruelty which they have already displayed.” Such Avords should be an inspiration to all to work their hardest to make victory sure. •