PM Transcripts

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FOR PRESS: P. M. z/ 196
TRIBUTE TO SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL
Statement bythe Prime Ministe. the Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Menzies
After a prolonged period of illness, Sir
ainston Churchill's death was not unexpected. But it comes
as a shock. At the height of his power and achievement,
he " bestrode the world like a colossus" but, being no tyrant
or dictator, he left all men in his debt,
He was one of the great men in the whole course
of British history and in the history of the struggle for
freedom. As Prime Minister, he faced the greatest challenge
of our lifetimes. He met it xvrith courage and imaginative
genius. He was able to express and stimulate the spirit
of his people by his immortal mixture of tenacity and humour
harsh realism and indomitable optimism. So long as men retain
their pride in liberty, he will never be forgotten.
Through the many vicissitudes of his sometimes
turbulent and always brilliant career, his wife, that marvellous
woman, was with him& She will, I hope and know, got some
comfort from the love which goes out to her from so many
millions of people at this time.
CANBRERRA, January, 1965