PM Transcripts

Emoargoed until 7.45 p. m. on Monday, January 1
New Year Messa.{ e to Australia from the Prime Minister the Rt. lion.
John Mc Ewen
On this first day of the new year I send greetings and my
warm good wishes to all Australians.
For the year ahead we have a clear programme of national
ondeavoj To Mr Harold Holt must go the credit for the constructive
prograLme which lies oefore us.
We enter 1968 with our economic oase secure and strong,
There are proolems serious for some of our rural industries which
we must face up to in the coming year. Jut today there is, as never
uefore, a nation-wide sens3 of pride and progress. At every level the
nation is seen to be moving ahead.
It is my hope and my prayer, and shall be my endeavour
that 1968 will see peace in Vietnam. ur fighting forces are acquitting
t~ hemsleves with great distinction. To those who Nave naid the supreme
' crifice, we pay a nation's homage. Ve aT proach 1968 with a firm resolution
t. see this honouraole task through to the end, We will work to ensure
that the freedom for which they are fighting will be made secure.
Australia is stron-and confident, As a people, we are united.
Pe are free. These are our greatest lessings. What we enjoy we want others
also to have. We must always ue conscious That what we have today others
worked for, and fought for, Our greatest duty is to see that we hand on
to the coming generation a free, united, and even greater country.
Canberra 51/ 12/ 67