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Digitizing History: Palestine Broadcasting Service, 1936-1948 |
International and Current Affairs |
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JERUSALEM RADIO - OCTOBER 28, 1938
International Affairs: A survey of the position of the world powers today, by George Lichtheim
Mr. Lichtheim's talks are broadcast each week by the PBS on Monday nights at 9:30 PM. In the excerpts given below of his talk on Monday last, Mr. Lichtheim reviews the effects on European and Far Eastern politics of the Munich agreement.
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JERUSALEM RADIO - SEPTEMBER 22, 1939
The British Commonwealth of NationsThe series talks on the British Commonwealth of Nations has now been brought to a fiiting close by the talk of Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, the Secretary of State for the Colonies.In the introductory article to the series published in this paper, the hope was expressed that members of the Commomwealth of Nations would be enabled to trace the steps that led to the formation of so great a family, and by increased knowledge increase their pride in their heritage. The talks did indeed unfold a tale of heroism and determination to justify such pride. They have ended at a time when the whole Empire has rallied to the King-Emperor with messages of loyalty and practical offers of help. Members of this family of nations must be forgiven their pride in belonging to such a body, which has shown itself ready to sacrifice all in the cause of liberty and justice against brutality and aggression. In this struggle the British Commonwealth of Nations is more strongly united than ever before, and this unity is the guarantee of its success.
Mr. Macpherson's Introduction[Photo: Mr. J. S. MACPHERSON, Chief Secretary to the Government of Palestine, who broadcast for the first time on Thursday night, when he introduced the Colonial Secretary's talk.](BROADCAST BY THE PBS, SEPTEMBER 21, 1939, 9:00 pm) I don't know how you feel about it, but personally when I am going to hear a speech or a lecture, by ba person of note or by a recognized authority, I always feel a lively sense of impatience if it is considered necessary to introduce the speaker. The more notable the speaker, the less the need for any introduction. This evening you are to hear a talk written specially for the PBS by Mr. Malcolm MacDonald, so if I were listening at this moment I should be very impatient indeed. Now I am not presuming to introduce the Secretary of Styate for the Colonies: I merely wish to tell you how the talk came to be written - and when. Since February, as you know, the PBS has been running a series of talks under the title "The British Commonwealth of Nations". There have been no fewer than seventeen of these talks, by different persons each with a wide knowledge of the country about which he - or she - spoke. The talks covered India, four Dominions, and fifteen Dependencies in Africa, Asia and the West Indies. Now, that was a splendid idea, and we listeners are grateful to the P.B.S., and to the people who gave the talks. But the Director of Programmes didn't stop there. He wanted to round off the series and it occurred to him that it would be tremendously effective if he could get the Colonial Secretary to give the epilogue. The approach was made, and despite the many claims on his time Mr. Macdonald agreed. It had been hoped to arrange for the talk to be recorded at home and sert out here for reproduction over the air, but that couldn't be done, and his talk will therefore be read to you. That is how. As to when, well, the point I want to stress is that the talk was prepared several weeks ago - before the threat of war had loomed up seriously and urgently. I've cheated and read the talk in advance. So far from considering that it fr made unreal by the outbreak of war I think that it is of enormous interest and value to listen now to an appraisal of what the Empire means and what it stands for, given very shortly before war broke out by the Secretary of State for the Colonies who has also been Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs. It would be unpardonable if I were.to tell you what is in the talk. But I think it is fair to quote one sentence. In speaking of the British people's love of freedom and the sacrifices made to achieve it Mr. MacDonald says "Today any serious threat to. that freedom would call forth instantaneously the firm resistance of a united people." Those were prophetic words; for in the past three weeks nothing has been more impressive than the stream of loyal messages from all parts of the Empire, proudly declaring determination to take their stand by Great Britain in the struggle which is before us. The people of, Palestine haue not been backward in the spontaneous expression of loyalty. Messages and offers have been received from communities, bodies and individuals. I need only add that I feel sure that the eloquent appeal for co-operative effort and the sinking of differences, which His excellency the High Commissioner broadcast on Wednesday night, is in all our minds.
The British Commonwealth of Nations
1. AUSTRALIA, by G. G. Masson, on Wednesday, February 22, at 9.30 p.m.
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