Friday, September 03, 2010

It is my melancholy duty

AUSTRALIA ENTERS THE WAR

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.

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