AUSTRALIA DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 January 1948, Page 5

AUSTRALIA DAY

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES TO CEMENT THE EMPIRE (P.A.) Wellington, Jan. 25/ On January 26 159 years ago, Captain Arthur Phillip sailed with 12 ships into Sydney Cove and hoisted the British flag. Hence tomorrow (Monday) is "Australia Day" and is observed as an official holiday throughout the Commonwealth. Because of the Health Department’s precautions against poliomyelitis no official functions in honour of the occasion will be held in New Zealand. The High Commissioner for Australia, Mr. A. R. Cutler, V.C. who is on leave in Australia, has sent tha following Australia Day message: "Australia Day, 1948, finds the peoples of the world facing extrema difficulties. An uneasy peace, a ravaged Europe and a real possibility of

less food for the increased population of the globe do not allow an expression of optimism for the future. This national day for Australia must be one for great determination to do all in our limited power to assist the United Kingdom and other members of the British Commonwealth to withstand and overcome the difficulties facing us. “Australians feel certain that the British Commonwealth will emerge from todays national crisis as creditably as it emerged from the war years, but we all realise it will mean co-operation between the constitutional members. We hope to play our part to the best of our ability.” Mr. Cutler also took occasion to wish his New Zealand friends a happy New Year and expressed the hope that the infantile epidemic will soon abate.