PM Transcripts

MARGO: NOT FOR RELEiASE BEFORE IMNIGHT 25/ 1/ 68
FOR PRESS: 8, PM. No. 14/ 1968
AUSTRALIA DAY
Message from the Prime Minister, Senator John Gorton
This is a day of special significance for us all.
It Is our day, chosen to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet
one hundred and eighty years ago when the settlement of the colony of
New South WIales began. It is a reminder that we are a very young country
in terms of history, but it is also a reminder that, in so short a time,
we have come a very long way.
WAe have every reason to be proud of our achievements.
We are an independent, sovereign nation of nearly twelve million people,
loyal to the Crown as a Federation of States which achieved its status by
constitutional means. We have strong allies and many friends. Wie have
made great strides in national development aid we have an almost limitless
prospect ahead of us. Today we are caught up in historic changes of
tremendous importance to us all. The challenge to populate this continent
and develop Its vast resources Is Insistent. It Is everybody's task, and
In pursuing our objectives of peace, security and prosperity, we cannot
stand aside from the wider world.
The historic events which are changing the defence
and security pattern in South-East Asia, and the prolonged conflict in
Viet Nam make this a testing time for us all. The road ahead will not
be easy, but we are equipped to make the journey, provided we make the
effort. National development In the broadest sense is the
first of our priorities. This gives us the capacity we inust have to pull
our weight in the community of nations. This gives us the strength we
need, and the pace of our development is the measure of that strength.
We must not rest on our past. We must look forward,
we must be energetic and we must be adventurous.
CANBERRA, 26 January, 1968