Lord Bledisloe's Empire Day Message

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1941, Page 8

Lord Bledisloe's Empire Day Message

“Let us this year celebrate Empire Day as never before. For the British Empire, aided by her valiant Allies and buttressed by the practical sympathy of the United States of America, is standing out as the stronghold of humanity against cruelty, injustice, tyranny and falsehood —an impregnable fortress based not upon hatred and selfish ambition but upon humanity and righteousness. “It is against the Powers of Darkness that we are fighting, and the fate of the Empire, and with it that of civilisation, are at stake. We must all courageously play our part, however humble, in achieving victory, ‘lest freedom should perish from the Earth’.

The Enemy’s Errors .“Those who planned the downfall of the British Empie rocked not of the unquenchable spirit of the British Race, the staunch loyalty of peoples of different races and colours owing allegiance to the British Crown and the unshakeable solidarity of the British Empire. “It is above all this unity of the British peoples In the hour of crisis which has brought confident hope to all lovers of freedom and growing dismay to our enemies. Let us remember with pride the great exploits of our seamen, soldiers and airmen drawn from every part of the British Commonwealth, as well as the steadfastness and courage of the civilian population in Great Britain, the heart of the Empire. “False to the gibes of her enemies and faithful to her own glorious traditions, she has demonstrated that the metal of her sons and daughters is as true as in days of yore. But the war is not yet over and unflagging effort, self-sacrifice and endurance are still demanded of us in repelling the assault upon all that makes the life of a free people worth living. Fighting For Its Soul “The Britsih Empire is fighting not for aggrandisement or for fnaterial gain, but for its own soul and that of mankind. Its struggle will have been in vain, unless we are determined that when victory comes we will, to the best of our power strive to remedy those inherent defects and social injustices which provoke strife both among nations and between their fel-low-citizens. Thus the people of the world, led by those of the Empire, will enjoy hereafter that tranquility and confident security whose only sure foundation is fair dealing between nation and nation and between man and man.

“I appeal especially to the young people of the Empire who, when the present upheaval is past, will be called upon to fashion a new world. Yours •will be the task of winning the peace. Do your bit, be it great or small, to ensure that the Empire shall ever be the symbol and example of all that makes for human happiness, peace and progress. Steel your hearts and minds to the brave resolve that never again shall ruthless ambition and the cruel lust of power destroy the freedom of mankind, the peace of the home and the happiness and safety of its children.

No Need to be Ashamed

“We have no need to be ashamed of the story of the Empire, but its greatest chapter has yet to be written, and it is for the youth of the Empire, with their boundless opportunities, buoyant hope and unshaken faith in Gcd to write it, for the benefit of the whole human race.

“The British Empire never had a graver responsibility thrust upon it than it has today. But never have there been grander opportunities for displaying those outstanding qualities which built it up and which alone can maintain it.

“Let us remember that it is neither wealth nor might, but CHARACTER which has ever been the deciding factor in our hour of destiny, and make it crystal clear that it illumines and strengthens all our lives.”