Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech at Grocers’ Hall

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Grocer’s Hall, Princes Street, City of London
Source: Thatcher Archive: speaking notes (THCR 1/17/59)
Editorial comments: 1230.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 359
Themes: Autobiography (childhood), Privatized & state industries
Rough notes by MT. [? word] indicates uncertain word.

Grocers Company

1345—Pepperers became the Grocers Original members were importers of produce from the East

[Chester Arthur 1882—U.S.

Experience has shown that the trade of the East is the key to national wealth and influence.

—Lee Kuan Yew—Singapore [end p1]

God made the wicked grocer
For a mystery and a sign
That men might shun the awful shop
And go to inns to dine

G.K. Chesterton.

Smile at us, pay us, pass us
But do not quite forget
For we are the people of England
that never have spoken yet.
New page [end p2]

Honorary Freedom of the Grocers Co.

Lord Mountbatten Queen Mother

Harold Macmillan

Lord Home

John Piper

1642

Clive—P.P.S. [? Master]. [end p3]

Grocer

1) That money has to be earned not just demanded. And we were taught that not only as a practical fact of life but as a moral principle and as a matter of personal pride.

2) That a tradesman does best for himself when he serves others best. That is the only way to establish a lasting business.

3) That a customer has a choice [end p4] between suppliers and that his loyalty cannot be commanded it can only be deserved.

If only we could apply this principle now to the monopoly ridden nationalised industries, how much better it would be for our people

4) That as we were all members of a country & community we should act towards others as we would hope they would act towards us. There can be no such thing as an entitlement, unless someone [end p5] has already met an obligation.

Oundle

Pursuit of excellence for its own sake. [end p6]

Bank of England

Second Hall

Sir John Houblon—a Grocer was the first Governor.

Tenants for 40 years.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be. For loan oft loses both itself & friend

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.