EMPIRE EXHIBITION ENDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 259, 2 November 1925, Page 7

EMPIRE EXHIBITION ENDS.

THE FN.AL SCENES. SPEECH FROM THE KING. (2~!y Cable.—rress Association. —Copyright ) LONDON, November 1. Crowds who were brought by special trains from all parts of the country : began to assemble early this morning at AYemWey for the closing of tbe Empire Exhibition. The ceremony was imposing. Massed bands greeted the arrival of tbe Duke and Duchess of York with a fanfare. Tlie Bishop of Willesden. Dr. W. W. Perrin." offered a prayer. The liiitje assembly then sang. "0, God Our Help in Ages Past." At the conclusion buglers sounded the Retreat, the flags of the Dominions were struck, tho bands played "Auld Lang Syne" and the audience sang "Land of Hope and Glory," and finally the National Anthem. The Duke of York read the King's speech, as follows: "The Exhibition marks an important stage in tho history of my pepple. both nt Home and overseas. It not only taught us much of tbe productive capacity of the Empire, but it stimulated a legitimate pride in our vast achievements, as well as an increased sense of responsibility for years to come. I pray that these lessons will not be for- ■ gotten, and that, under God's guidance, our Commonwealth of Nations and mankind in general,, may strive to attain that spirit of mutual trust and confidence without which the peace and hup- ' piness of the world cannot be secured." j Tlie Duke of York, in his speech, said I the decision to continue the exhibition t into tile second year had been amply 1 justified. Doubt no longer existed that , it had completed its task of Empire education. Speaking at the farewell I'iicheoii given by the exhibition staff to the Overseas Commissioners the Duke said there was a,- consensus of opinion in Dominion and Colonial circles that lhe work done at Wembley should be carlit d on somehow in the future. The crowds seized the last chance of purchasing at the reduced closing prices. The day's sales constituted a record. — (Router.) THE SMALL ATTENDANCE. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 1. The total attendance at Wembley for the year was 9.500,000, compared with 17,000.000 for the previous year.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) ' l - 1