ROYAL MESSAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24491, 27 December 1940, Page 5

ROYAL MESSAGE

THE KING'S BROADCAST TRIBUTE TO HIS SUBJECTS RESOLUTELY FACING ORDEAL (British Official Wireless) (United Press. Association) (By Electric Telegraph— Copyright) RUGBY, Dec. 25. In a Christmas message broadcast this afternoon to the nation and the Empire, the King said: "In days of peace the Feast of Christmas is the time we all gather together in our homes, young and old, to enjoy the happy festivity and goodwill which the Christmas message brings. It is above all the children's day, and I am sure we shall all do our best to make it a happy one for them wherever they may be. War brings among other sorrows the sadness of separation. There are many men in the forces away from their homes to-day because they must stand ready always to resist an invader. Thev are guarding the dark seas or pursuing the beaten foe in the Libyan desert. Many family circles are broken. Children from English homes are to-day in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. For not only has the manhood of the whole British Commonwealth rallied once more to aid the Mother Country in her hour of need, but the peoples of the Empire have eagerly thrown open the doors of their homes to our children so that they may be spared the strain and danger of modern war. And in the United States also, where we find so many generous, loyal friends and organisations to give us unstinted help to win the war, the people are keeping and caring for many of our children till the war is over. But how many more children are there here who will be moved from their homes to safer quarters? Christmas Greetings "To all of them, at home and abroad, who are separated from their fathers and mothers, to their kind friends and hosts and all who love them and the parents who will be lonely without them, from all in our dear island, I wish every happiness that Christmas can bring. May the New Year carry us towards victory

and happier Christmas Days when everyone will, be home together in the vears to come." "To the older people here and throughout the world I would say that in the last great war the flower 1 of our youth was destroyed and the rest of the people saw but little of the battle. This time we are all in the front line, and in danger together, and so I know the older among us are proud, and should be so. to remember this. If war brings separations it brings a new unity also—the unity which comes from common perils and common sufferings, willingly shared. To be good comrades and good neighbours in trouble is one of the finest opportunities of the civilian ' population, and by facing hardships and discomforts cheerfully and resolutely not only do they do their own duty, but play their part in helping the fighting services to win the war. Desire to Share Burdens "Time and again this last few months I have seen for myself the battered towns and cities of England, and have seen the British people facing their ordeal. I can say to them all that they may be justly proud of their race and nation. On every side I have seen a new and splendid spirit of good fellowship springing up in adversity and a real desire to share burdens and resources alike. Out of all this suffering there is growing a harmony which we must carry forward into the days to come, when we have endured to the end and victory is ours. Then, when Christmas Days are happy again and goodwill has come back to the world, we must hold fast to the spirit which bjnds us all together now. We shall need this spirit in each of our own lives as men and women, and shall need it even more among the nations of the world. We must go on thinking less about ourselves and more for one another, for so, and so only, can we hope to make the world a better place and life a worthier thing. " On the Path to Victory " And now I wish you a happy Christmas and a happier New Year. We may look forward to the new year with some confidence. We shall have to encounter a grave crisis. We do not underrate any difficulties which confront us still, but we take courage and comfort from the successes our fighting men and their Allies have won at heavy odds by land, air and sea. The future wiil be hard, but our feet are planted on the path to victory, and, with the help of God, we shall make our way to justice and peace."