GREAT BRITAIN

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3180, 21 May 1932, Page 5

GREAT BRITAIN

"PROSPERITY FOR THE EMPIRE." The following lines from the pen of a local resident, L.G.H., have, at our request, been made available for publication. They not only have merit for their scansion or metre, but also there is a stirring patriotism in the way the theme is handled.: — Some months ago, many there were who thought That Britain's star was permanently set. Withdrawn were foreign short-term loans, and short Her Budget, the many countries in her debt Were all but bankrupt: Thus her doom was met. But Britain ne'er of Fortune was the sport, And those, who saw no hope, had reckoned nought On how she meets a crisis, how beset On a!l sides she will but the stronger grow. Party forgotten, now we're each for all And all for each, and all contrived to pay, Thus urgent debts to France and U.S.A. Were met before due date. This stop't the fall And money back to her commenced to flow.

Her Budget balanced next, the world, amazed, Looked on. Her unemployed in numbers eased As she the lonely upward pathway blazed. Declining values of her shares have ceased. Though drops in foreign countries have increased. Financial fears for Britain are allayed, Her greatest care is now for export trade. The world had not been by depression seized Had Britain kept her former high position Such as she held before the last War, Because her trusted leaders understand, Better than most, the needs of every land. Calling her sons to meet at Ottawa, Prosperity for Empire is her mission.

Britain, how truly do we call thee great! Our Motherland, whose guidance wise and sure Has helped us since the first did trust their fate To these fair isles, who gave us our rich store Of chivalry and honour, and who bore The weight of our protection when the hate Of might misgovern'd threaten'd our estate, Thy sons the call will answer as before,i And round the world a mighty shout shall ring, " Prosperity for Empire." This refrain Shall echo through the lands, across the seas, Through hills and vales, and all the flowers and trees Shall carry it, answering back again: " Hurrah for Britain and long live the King." —L.G.H.