KING’S MESSAGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27273, 27 December 1949, Page 5

KING’S MESSAGE

GREATLY ENCOURAGED Affectionate Concern Of Subjects IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9.19 p.m. LONDON, Dec. 25. His Majesty, sitting alone at his desk in the panelled study at Sandringham, took his traditional place in the Christmas activities of the Commonwealth when he spoke to millions of British, people and their friends throughout the world. His Majesty said: “ Each year I value more highly the opportunity of this message that I am able to give you on Christmas Day. In no other way wotild it be possible for me to be in such direct personal touch with the many friends to whom I am speaking. I told you a year ago of the volume of sympathy with me in my illness that came from every part of the world. Those good wishes, 1 am thankful to say, have been largely fulfilled so that I am now able »to undertake many public duties which, under doctors’ orders, I was for a while obliged to forego. “ Once more I would say how touched and encouraged 1 have been by the affectionate concern of the millions in these islands and far outside them. “ The Queen and I would like to share our Christmas joy with all, wherever you may be listening to me now. May this season and the New Year that is to follow bring you real happiness.”

His Majesty spoke of the family side of Christmas: “To us older ones, the happiness of young people is one of the chief sources of delight, and if we can carry this spirit of Christmas along: with us through 1950 it will not only make life easier for those round us but we shall be giving strength to x that wider family of the whole British Commonwealth, which depends for its own vitality upon the health of all its members.” His Majesty expressed his gratitude to the United States for its sympathy and help. “ Without this understanding and help we could noti have made the progress towards recovery that has already been achieved, but none of us can be satisfied until we are again standing upright and supporting our own weight, and we have a long way to go before we do that. It is bound to be a tough business.” His Majesty continued': “ My peoples, indeed, are part of something much bigger than ourselves—the family of all human kind. Science has taught us—a lesson enforced by the tragic experience of two world wars—how close several parts of this family are to one another and how quickly the good fortune or ill fortune of one is felt by the others. Many of you will feel as I do, that the troubles of thpse times are greater than can be resolved by human wisdom alone ; and today, to a world distracted, anxious, and uncertain, comes once again the good news of Christmas Day in its wonder of God’s power and love, reaching out to help save men from failure and frustration. May we win for ourselves this strength to serve others by constant faithfulness to His purpose and be 1 true to the kindred points of heaven and home.’ ” (The King’s quotation is from Wordsworth’s poem, “To a Skylark.”) i The -happiest family touches in the broadcast—his reference to the oldest and- youngest members of the Royal Family, Queen Mary, aged 82, and Prince Charles, aged 13 months, and the final Christmas wishes from their Majesties—were added by his Majesty shortly before he went on the air. He broadcast after the Royal Family’s Christmas luncheon. Earler, the family attended morning service at the Sandringham Church of Saint Mary Magdalene.