PM Transcripts

63/ 014
TEXT OF H. M. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH TC BE GIVEN
AT RECEPTION TO DE H-ELD AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE
ON MONIDAY, 18/ 2/ 63
TO BE CHECKED AGAINSTDELIVERY
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE DELIVERY
Mr, Prime Minister, I am delighted to forgive you and your two
Parliamentary colleagues for your charming speeches this
evening. I am also very happy to note that on this occasion
you are all of one mind.
My husband and I are deeply touched by the
warmth and kindness of your welcome. Let me say at once that
we are both delighted to be back in Australia for the
Jubilee celebrations of the Capital City.
As we flew over Canberra this afternoon,
I found it difficult to roalise that all this has grown up in
short years. It is a wonderful achievement and an inspiring
sight to see a great and gracious city taking shape almost
before one's eyes. Even more remarkable and more important is
that the plant of our ancient, free and democratic institutions
has taken root here so firmly and is showing such vigorous
independent growth. The first time I came to Australia everything
w-as new, although not necessarily strange. This time I am
looking forward to an even more interesting visit as I shall
be able to see many familiar places and old friends, I shall
also be able to make comparisons with what I remember of our
last visit and I am quite sure that I shall be greatly impressed
by the many developments and the progress of the last nine
years. In many cases I know what to expect because I follow
events in Australia with much interest and admiration. Most
impressive has been the rapid growth of a distinctive and
independent Australian thought and culture and I am very proud
that this has led Australia to play an increasingly important
part on the world stage.
Perhaps even more significant for Australians
has been the modern pioneering in the far North and North-West.
The partnership of science and engineering with man and nature
is harnessing precious water, coaxing the land into useful
production and building new towns in remote areas. These are
the foundations for what I hope will be thriving and prosperous
communities in the future and I am looking forward to visiting
some of those areas with great interest,
I do not intend that this should be my last
visit to Australia and next time I hope I shall see different
places and many communities that could not be included this
time. Tonight, on my arrival, I want to send greetings to all
Australians and particularly to those we shall not be able to
see on this occasion. Thank you again Mr. Prime Minister, Mr.
McEwen and Mr. Calwell for your kind words this evening.
I pray that Australia will continue to prosper in a happy and
peaceful future,