TRYING YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 106, 7 May 1935, Page 7

TRYING YEARS.

EVENTFUL REIGN.

PRIMATE'S ADDRESS.

Nation's Spirit of Unity in The Throne. EMPIRE'S TRUST IN THE KING. (United P.A.—Elcctric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, May 6. In the address delivered by the Primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang, in St. Paul's Cathedral, he said: "Twentyfive years have passed since the reign of our beloved Sovereign began. Looking back we realise, as he of all men must, that, more perhaps than in any previous period in our long history, they have been years of almost unbroken anxiety and strain. "They began in an atmosphere of embittered party strife. Into our midst camo suddenly the fiercest ordeal the nation had ever been summoned to face. Since then have followed years of toilsome effort, in the midst of a world restless, bewildered and broken by the shock of war, to revive the trade and industry on which the lives of multitudes depend and to find a basis for settled peacc. "Yet, beneath the troubled surface, there lias been in the life of the nation a deep underflow of a spirit of unity, confidence and steadfast strength. That spirit found its centre in the Throne. Elsewhere ancient monarchies have been swept away by the storms of revolution. Here the Throne has been established in ever stronger security. "Across the seas, during these 25 years, the attainment of full nationhood by the great Dominions has been acknowledged. The Empire has become a fellowship of self-governing peoples, vet their freedom has not lessened, but strengthened their loyalty to the one Commonwealth. It is in the one Throne they find the symbol and bond of their unity. Personality of the King. "It may be that by the mere force of circumstances or sentiment the Throne itself would have been accepted by the people of this realm and the nations of the Empire as the centre of their unity. What is certain is that the personality of the King has given to the Throne the power of personal attachment. He has brought it into the hearts of his subjects. They have discovered in the Sovereign a man they could understand, respect and trust. They have seen in him a quiet dignity, worthy of his high office, and with it an unaffected friendliness. They have seen his constant care for their welfare, his unselfish devotion to their service. "In times of crisis before, during and after the war they have found in his calmness and steadfastness an inspiration and an example. Tliev have rejoiced at his association with their sports and pleasures, yet they have felt that his life was founded, as they instinctively desire the life of themselves and their country to be founded, on faith in and fear of God. "Thus in the passing years lie has come to be not only the King but tlie father of his people. To loyalty has been added the warmth of love. This is the secret of the real and personal emotion which to-day fills the hearts of his Realm and Empire. In that common heart a special placc of honour and affection has been won by the gracious Queen, who has not wearied in care for the health and happiness of the homes of all the people. The Prince of Wales and the Royal Family have brought to all classes in all parts of the world that personal touch which has moved the whole Empire to adopt the King's family as its own.

Bow in Humble Prayer. "For all that our King lias meant for us and given to us, for the way, during the stress of 25 years, this people has been led, it behoves us to offer thanksgiving to Almighty God. Wo uplift our eyes unto the hills, whence comes the help by which both he and they have been sustained, to that high region where, above the mists and clouds surrounding us, the will of God, silent, patient and sure, reigns. "As wo lift our hearts in thanksgiving, so let us bow in humble prayer for the King and Queen, that God will continue to bestow his blessing upon them; for us all that ho will pardon the sins we have committed; tho chances we have lost to pray for this dear land and for the Empire which has grown round it; that by God's help they will uphold before tho world the cause of peace among the nations, the principles of liberty and justice, and an example of a community in which all citizens are willing servants of the common weal. May wo as a people, through all the fleeting shadows of time, see and follow the light which comes from that ideal and eternal City whose maker and builder is God. "When we have thus presented our vows and prayers for King and country before the throne of our fathers' God we will close our thanksgiving by singing the old, time-honoured words —and within them to-day we shall concentrate the gratitude, hopes and loyalty of our hearts —'God Save the King.'" PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. U.S.A. SHARES REJOICINGS. (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, May C. President Roosevelt, in a message to the King, said: "It is gratifying to contemplate the wise and steadfast' influence Your Majesty has exercised for a quarter of a century. Many traditions which we in the United States have in common with the British people permit us to understand how deeply stirring to-day's anniversary must be to Your Majesty's subjects. We share their rejoicings." EMPIRE DINNER. PRIME MINISTERS AS GUESTS. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON", May C. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald presided at the British Government Jubilee dinner at Claridge's Hotel in honour of tho Dominion and Indian guests. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes, Sir James Parr, and all the Australian Ministers and tfyeir wives were present.