10 YEARS ON THRONE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 166, 16 July 1938, Page 13

10 YEARS ON THRONE.

QUEEN WILHELMINA. BELOVED DUTCH MONARCH. • THE HAGUE. Throughout Holland, and in the Dutch East Indies as well, extensive preparations are being made at present for the celebration iu September next of the fortieth anniversary of the accession of the Queen of the Netherlands. The whole nation is firmly determined to show the love and sympathy felt for the Sovereign, who has always associated herself with her people equally in time of an::iety as in times of happiness, and on her strong sense of duty, in strict accordance with the stipulations of the constitution.

The main celebrations will take place in Amsterdam, the capital, where, on September 5, Queen Wilhelinina will make her formal and solemn entry of the decorated and betiagged city. This reception in her capital will mark the beginning of the celebrations in honour of the Queen, which will last one week. On September 6, the very day of the jubilee, a solemn gathering will be held in the ancient New Church on the historic Dam Square—where Her Majesty was proclaimed Queen 40 years ago— when Dr. H. Colyn, the Prime Minister, will deliver a commemorative address of congratulation on behalf of the whole nation. Torchlight Race.

In the afternoon the Queen will be the object of a huge patriotic demonstration of loyalty on the Dam, where the Royal Palace ie situated, in which thousands coming from r.ll parts of the country will participate. In the evening of the same day a torch light relay race of the youth from 300 places in the country will lead to the Dam, where in front of the Palace a great bonfire will be lit, which will burn for tha whole week.

On September 10 a great historical procession will pass through the streets of Amsterdam to the Olympic Stadium, where the participants will march past the Queen, who will be the object of homage in the presence of thousands.

During the period of the celebrations, j festivities and displays of various kinds ere to be held, including some interesting exhibitions, among them one devoted to the development of Amsterdam during the reign of the Queen, a diamond exhibition, which undoubtedly will be a striking feature, and a manifestation showing the development of Dutch art during the last century.

In other places, too, especially in the big cities like Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht festivities and patriotic displays and manifestations will be held and thanksgiving services will take place in all the churches. In conclusion it should be noted that a film, showing the development of Holland during Queen Wilhelmina's reign, is being prepared which will certainly be of historic value.