53RD CONGRESS OF THE R. S. L.
CANBERRA, A. C. T. 28 OCTOBER 1968
Speech by the Prime Minister, Mr. John Gorton
Your Excellency, Sir. Arthur Lee, Mr. Whitlam, Ministers, Members,
Service Chiefs of Staff, and Ladies and Gentlemen:-
My task is merely to say a few supporting words after
the Governor-General has opened this Conference. And I will keep
them brief, as I know you would wish them to be kept brief.
it is for me a great distinction to be able to stand today
and talk to the representatives of an organisation which has, since it
was formed, had three major objectives at least in my mind three
major objectives. The first, to see that those who were maimed by war,
and the dependents of thos e who were maimed or did not return at all
from war, were looked after by the nation. The second, to try to
ensure that the defences of this country were, insofar as our resources
permitted, kept at a level which would help us to retain what in the past
members of this organisation have so dearly fought to retain. And the
third, to see that that which was retained in two world ware is used
properly in peace for the benefit of the nation.
In neither of the great wars fought did we win anything
new, nor did we seek to. What we did was to retain something old and
something precious, the right to live in freedom and to develop ourselves
according to our people's will. We might not have retained that in my
view we would not have retained that but for the sacrifices twice made.
And it is therefore a most significant objective of this organisation to
see that the foundation upon which, and upon which alone a great nation
can be built, the foundation of freedom and participation in decisions....
to see that that foundation is used to build an enduring structure. These
are three great objectives.
As to the first two, the Governor-General has already
indicated the difficulties of getting a quart out of a pint pot. But, I am
sure, that insofar as this organisation is concerned, they will never
stop squeezing if I can change the metaphor and regard it as a tube of
toothpaste never cease squeezing the tube to endeavour to get from it
the utmost possible. One thing of which His Excellency spoke was the number
of items on your agenda. One of them will not need to take up much of
your time the item concerned with the extension of tuberculosis
benefits to those who have fought in special areas or in Vietnam. The
legislation was amended last week in order to extend these benefits to
these people. As to defence, I know that everyone present is concerned
with the changed situation which faces our nation as a result of the decision
of the British to withdraw from our near north. I know that everyone here
realises that meeting a changed situation and a new challenge requires
decisions which cannot be lightly arrived at and ought not to be too quickly
rushed into. And that is all I propose to say on that matter. / 2
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But it may be appropriate, Sir, to conclude by announcing
here something which I believe has a significance for the organisation
and for the nation itself. This November there is an anniversary, and
that is the anniversary of the ending of that great war fought some half
a century ago. We have been asked by the French Government to
contribute from Australia a contingent of troops who will represent
this nation, together with a contingent from New Zealand. They will
march through the streets of the city of Paris and give visible evidence
of the sacrifices made by this nation for a country 10, 000 miles away....
but for a cause which is just as significant whether it is 10, 000 or
miles away. And so there will be on this 50th celebration representatives
of the Australian Army and the New Zealand Army providing to the
people of Europe an indication, a reminder of that continuing concern
of this nation for the maintenance of freedom, which cost so dearly at
that time and which will be commemorated by this march. I hope that
our decision to send this contingent meets with the approval of this
gathering and indeed I am sure it does.
BACKGROUND POINTS ON PARIS CONTINGENT:
This will comprise about 150 men representing the
three services. A party of 84 soldiers and airmen will leave by
air on 6 November. The Naval contingent of some 40 officers and
men will be made up of R. A. N. personnel serving in Britain.