THE KING SHOCKED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 57, 7 March 1936, Page 9

THE KING SHOCKED.

Appalling Slum Conditions of

His People.

VISIT TO GLASGOW,

LONDON, March 6,

In an unforgettable manner, King Edward, during his visit to Glasgow, where he inspected the liner Queen Mary and afterwards visited slums in the city, fulfilled his broadcast declaration that he was still the sftme man as when he was Prince of Wales.

He strode on muddy, cobbles and through dark alleyways in a district generally regarded as one of the roughest in Glasgow. He stood in dimly-lighted rooms listening with obvious distress to the miseries of families of seven and eight people living in two apartments.

The King visited one family of four members where a fortnight-old baby 'was lying in bed and where washing was drying in a corner. The father had been blinded in a steel works accident in 1901. He asked: "Who's there?"

His Majesty replied: "The King," and warmly shook hands with the man. He listened to the wife's complaints that there were rats everywhere and that the rooms were so dark that artificial light was necessary almost all day. The King was relieved when he was told that this family would be rehoused soon.

He met a five-year-old boy, who asked: "Are you the new King?" His Majesty replied, patting the boy's head: "Yes, sonny."

Later the King told officials the conditions he had seen were appalling, but he had seen worse in Durham. He said Glasgow must redouble its rehousing efforts.