“We Have Done Our Duty”

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23281, 17 August 1945, Page 5

“We Have Done Our Duty”

Heavy Demands Remain For Future His Majesty’s Victory Broadcast By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn—Copyright LONDON, August 15. « FROM the bottom of my heart I thank my people for ' all they have done, not only for themselves but for mankind,” said his Majesty King George VI in a broadcast to his people in the British Commonwealth and Empire. His Majesty recalled that he had asked his people to join with him in an act of thanksgiving for the defeat of Germany. They then rejoiced that peace had returned to Europe, but they knew that a strong and relentless enemy still remained to be conquered in Asia. “No one could then tell how long or how heavy would prove the struggle that still awaited us,” he continued. “Japan has surrendered, so let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world and that in every country men may now turn their industry, skill and science to repairing the frightful devastation, and rebuilding prosperity and happiness. “The feeling of thanks for our deliverance is overpowering and with it all we have a right to feel that we have done our duty.

“I ask you again at this solemn hour to remember all who have laid down their lives and all who have endured the loss of their loved ones. Remember, too. the sufferings of those who fell into the hands of the enemy, whether as prisoners of war or because their homes had been overrun. They have been in our thoughts all through these dark years, and let us pray that one result of the defeat of Japan may be many happy reunions of those who have been long separated from each other. “The campaign in the Far East will be famous for many reasons. There is one feature which is a special source of pride to me and also to you as citizens of our British Commonwealth and Empire, to whom I speak. In those campaigns there have fought side by side with our Allies, representatives of almost every country in our great communitymen from the Old Country, from the Dominions, from India, and the Colonies have fought in brotherhood. Through their courage and endurance they conquered. To all of them and to the women who shared with them the hardships and dangers I send my pro'Ud and grateful thanks. Demands of Future “The war is over. Those four words have for the Queen and myself the same significance, simple yet immense, that they have for you. Our hearts are full to overflowing, as are your own. Yet there is not one of us who has experienced this terrible war who does not realise we shall feel its inevitable consequences long after we have all forgotten our rejoicings of to-day. That relief from dangers must not blind us to the demands of the future. "The British people here at home have added lustre to the sure fame of our islands, and we stand to-day with our whole Empire in the forefront of the victorious United Nations. Great, therefore, is our responsibility to make sure by the

actions of every man and every woman here and throughout the Empire and Commonwealth that the peace gained amid many trials and sufferings shall not be cast qway.” In many anxious times in their history they had remained unconquerable, added the King. The spirit of the people had served them well, bringing them to safety out of great peril.

An Unconquerable Spirit “Yet I doubt if anything in all that has gone before has matched the enduring courage and quiet determination which you have shown in these last six years,” he declared. “It is of this inconquerable spirit I would speak to-night. Great as are the deeds you have done there must be no falling off. no falling away from this high endeavour. We have spent freely of all that we had. Now we shall have to labour and work hard to restore what has been lost, to establish peace on the unshakable foundation not alone of material strength, but also of moral authority. Then indeed, the curse of war may be lifted from the world, and States and peoples, great and small, may dwell together through long periods of tranquillity and in brighter and better days than we ourselves have known. “The world has come to look for certain qualities from the people of the Commonwealth and Empire. We have our part to play in restoring the shattered fabric of civilisation. It is a proud and difficult part, and if you carry on in the years to come as you have done so splendidly in the war, you and your children can look forward to the future not with fear, but with high hopes of surer happiness for all.

"It is to this great task I call .you now. and I know that I shall not call in vain.

“In the meantime, from the bottom of my heart, I thank my people for all they have done, not only for themselves but for mankind.”