MEMORIES OF A NOBLE MONARCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 20 (Supplement)

MEMORIES OF A NOBLE MONARCH.

EVENTS IN THE : LATE KING'S REIGN.

A QUARTER-CENTURY OF PROGRESS AND ENLIGHTENMENT.

IN taking a brief review of the late King's reign we find ourselves looking through pages of history as vivid and stirring as any to be found in olden times. The quartercentury has been a period of momentous change both within the Empire and abroad in lands, and from the time of. his coronation the

ever paid by the Emperor "William to England. In the following year they paid a State visit to Paris to cement-the Entente Cordiale that had been arranged between the British and French Nations by Edward VII. Foremost, in this period is the greatest tragedy of all time, the World War of 1914-1918. It must have been a very deep source of grief

King has in all ways given the strength of his support and encouragement to the new ventures that have arisen to ensure happier times in the world. Following the coronation in London in 1911, there came an event of great importance when the King and Queen travelled across the Continent to receive the homage of the peoples of India to their new Emperor. This coronation ceremony was a pageant of all that is richest, the ruling chiefs of India displaying all the splendour of their courts for the King, who was the' first Western Monarch to set foot on Indian soil. It was on this occasion that the capital was changed from Calcutta to the northern city of Delhi. The brief years before the war may he likened to the time of calm before the storm. In 1913, the King and Queen visited Berlin as i guests at the wedding of the Kaiser's daughter, and to return the last visit'

to the' King that it - was his cousin the Emperor of Germany who compelled England to take this step into a war that was to have a wider effect than any man could foresee. Throughout these years, although his duties were often trebled, the King kept to the words that he spoke to the first forces to leave England, that "the troops should never be far from his thoughts." He was continually paying inspectional visits to the Grand Fleet, and in 1917 took part in the manoeuvres. Five times he was in France, where he joined the armies in the field. It is interesting to note here that this was the first time England's King had taken an active part in the fighting since 1743, when George 11. was in command at the Battle of Dettingen. Besides the increase in his official duties, the war brought His Majesty a great many - more public duties. He visited many hospitals and, by his friendly attitude and kindly words,

did much to comfort and cheer the wounded men. There were also frequent investiture ceremonies at Buckingham Palace, when the King decorated. members of the fighting forces with the V.C. and D.S.O. In the early days of the war the King relinquished all the German titles which were in use in the ROyal Family, and substituted English titles. It was at this time that the family name was changed from Hanover to Windsor. In 1916 the whole nation mourned the loss of Lord Kitchener, who was drowned in the sinking of the Hampshire off the Orkney Islands. This passing of one of the greatest soldiers that the Empire has ever known was a severe blow to the nation, especially in this time of stress. Two years later the King and Queen celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding. Owing to the circumstances no elaborate celebration could be arranged, but a special address of congratulation and continued allegiance" was read after the service at St. Paul's. A few months later, however, a very different celebration was held. The war was over, and a national rejoicing was 'allowed full reign. First there was the-wonderful peace procession and the thanksgiving service, and then the crowds congregated in front of Buckingham Palace to cheer' the -King and the Queen as they appeared on the 'balcony. ■" » » During the war years the agitation fori Home Rule for Ireland-had continued, and in 1921. the King visited Belfast and inaugurated the new Parliament of Northern Ireland. Two , years , later he visited Rome, which city, except for a brief ten minutes spent there by King Edward VII. in 1903,-had not been visited : by a British Sovereign since the days of Canute in 1027. Many events of importance happened during - the next few years, but one which deserves special men-

tion was the 1924 opening of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, an occasion of great brilliance and solemnity. This was intended to bring to the people of the Empire a greater knowledge of each other's activities, and in some way serve to help them to understand and sympathise with each other. This inaugural exhibition has indeed done much to bring the units of Empire in closer touch with the Homeland. Dark years followed when, in 1928-29, the King fell ill, and for days his condition was watched seriously, and a nation waited anxiously for each news bulletin of his progress. In spite of the miserable condition of the weather huge crowds assembled outside the Palace awaiting the reports, while messages of sympathy were sent across the world. The King's resolution and courage during the struggle for health was amazing, and except for a fewdays at the most critical period of his illness he had been in constant touch with affairs of the outside world. Practically every day he read his newspapers, and the demonstrations of loyalty and devotion of his people must have greatly warmed the sick man's heart. Early in the JTew Year he recovered and was once again able to take up his arduous tasks. In one of his Empire broadcasts the King spoke words of such cheer and encouragement that, to help the world to peace and good will, we should keep them always in our mind. . "The world is still restless and troubled," he said. "The clouds are lifting, but we have still our own anxieties. I am confident that if we meet them in the spirit of one 'family we will overcome them. We should always remember the other members of the family in sickness and in lack of work." Splendid words to take as a motto from the King who spent his long and busy life in the service of the people of his Empire.