Once the news that Britain was at war had been accepted as authentic all other action was consequential. The Executive Council approved of the prepared proclamation declaring a state of war to exist and at 9.15 p.m. from the room of the Postmaster-General at the Commonwealth Offices, Melbourne, Mr Menzies announced over every national and commercial broadcasting station in Australia:
It is my melancholy duty to inform you officially that, in consequence of a persistence by Germany in her invasion of Poland, Great Britain has declared war upon her and that, as a result, Australia is also at war. No harder task can fall to the lot of a democratic leader than to make such an announcement.
Great Britain and France, with the cooperation of the British Dominions, have struggled to avoid this tragedy. They have, as I firmly believe, been patient; they have kept the door of negotiation open; they have given no cause for aggression. But in the result their efforts have failed and we are, therefore, as a great family of nations, involved in a struggle which we must at all costs win, and which we believe in our hearts we will win.
No comments:
Post a Comment