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Radio Digest Episode 217.
[ This is an incomplete recording of two programmes broadcast by the BBC via shortwave - possibly to be included in the NZBS's Radio Digest programme.]
Sir Harry Luke [former British High Commissioner of Western Pacific Territories] talks about Queen Salote of Tonga and the very positive impression she has made in England during her visit for the Coronation.
He describes her personality and the warm nature of the Tongan people.
He says it was because of the nature of the Tongan people that Robert Louis Stevenson chose to live his remaining life in Tonga.
He talks about the service by Pacific island nations in World War II and says Queen Salote is a practical, hard working, 20th century leader
Queen Salote has just been in England for the Coronation, on June 2 1953 of Queen Elizabeth II. Sir Harry talks about the traditional clothing she wore at the Coronation, including tapa cloth. She was the third Polynesian queen to visit England, after the rulers of Hawaii visited during the time of King George IV and another during the reign of Queen Victoria.
A second recording is then heard featuring a recording of Queen Salote giving a farewell message to the people of England, as she is about to board an aircraft on her return flight to Tonga following her attendance at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.