Graduation Address

"The British Tradition in the World" Telegraph Journal (14 October 1964). (UA Case 69, Box 1)

Sir Arthur gave a brief outline on the formation and development of what he termed the British tradition. He told the 114 graduates in the Lady Beaverbrook Rink that the individual characteristics of courage and self-sufficiency were key components in the growth and stature of Britain as a great and powerful nation

Immense Changes

Stressing the immense changes that had altered the United Kingdom’s global position in his lifetime, he said that in his youth, the country possessed vast wealth, which was invested around the world, but that was not the case today.

She had controlled an enormous empire spread to the far corners of the earth, which she had either founded of conquered and she ruled the seas with a powerful navy. Her defences were strong and able.

"Today," he said, "after two world wars and considerable folly she had lost most of this, but two imponderable assets remained. These were her great tradition, and the attitude and character of her people."

He said in her earlier years Britain drew her population from many nations and many races. They had blended together in much the same way as the different cultures blended in a multi-racial Canada.

Sir Arthur said the fact that Britain was an island gave her a geographical advantage. It made attack difficult and defence more easiliy effective, and this had played a major part in her destiny.

He said the island’s climate had much to do with modling the attitudes and character of her people. Its unpredictability perhaps contributed to the self-reliance of her people, and instilled in them the capacity for adaptation. It was a tempering climate.

During the course of his address the speaker quoted frequently from great writers, statesmen and military figures.

"Duty is an inherent quality in the British character," he said, and what counted was not what a man said but what he did.

He told of the contribution the country made in her parliamentary system and in the freedoms which it contained, stressing the importance of an opposition in government to prevent corruption.

He said the ideals of "this small island" led to the British race, and despite criticisms to the contrary, Britain never acquired power to dominate the world, but rather to prevent anyone else from doing it.

He said the British Empire was created through enterprise, and if there were instances of exploitation there was also the concept of freedom, of the right of men to live as they desired.

"The British tradition rests on the dignity of the individual—to live in peace and in freedom."

In closing he said there were two things in the world that mattered. They were love and courage, and without courage love was not possible.