THE SYDNEY BRIDGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21543, 15 January 1932, Page 7

THE SYDNEY BRIDGE

ROYAL INAUGURATION RADIO CEREMONY SUGGESTED, LONDo’n, January 4. Whether the Government of New South Wales, realising the interest taken by the Empire generally in the Sydney Bridge, will invite the King to perform the opening ceremony is a question constantly asked in London. The special representative of the Sun says he understands that the King, if asked, would be delighted to perform the ceremony from the centre of the Empire by radio. The King has followed the progress of the bridge with deep appreciation of its significance and of its engineering importance. Australian official and business circles doubt if the New South Wales Government is aware how closely the construction of the bridge and its development, stage by stage, have been watched by the public all over the Empire.

The details, including the King’s address of congratulation, could be broadcast throughout the Empire. The Marconi Company emphasises that there are no technical difficulties in the matter, and says it will be most willing to co-operate. Leading Australians here point out that it would be a courteous gesture if Mr Lang finally waived the privilege of opening the bridge. He does not fully appreciate, perhaps, the tremendous interest and pride with which Great Britain has watched the progress of a British engineering firm’s work, which has been so often featured in the press of the entire country. An unexampled opportunity is offered of securing a sentiment of goodwill toward New South Wales if the Empire’s greatest bridge is opened by the King.