The Press. FRIDAY, MAY 20. 1910. THE KING PASSES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13738, 20 May 1910, Page 6

The Press. FRIDAY, MAY 20. 1910. THE KING PASSES.

To-day. for the second time within a decade, tho business of the Empire ceases while through the streets of the Empire's capital passes the funeral of the Sovereign. The community of feeliug among all parts of tho King's dominions which has bec<n indicated during tho past ten days is indeed striking, but it is no longer 'a subject for wonder. First awakened by Queon Victoria's jubilees, the occasion of her .decth.gave opportunity for a world-wide manifestation of sorrow that revealed the closeness of tho bond between the throne and the people rf even the uttermost iske of the Em-

pire. It was seen again when King Edward's life hung m the balance and tho preparations for his coronation mocked the dread that lay on all men's heart*. And now once more the Empire mourns in unity, trade and industry are suspended, amusements .t* postponed, and everywhere the people gather in memorial services, while tolling hells and the sombre salute, of minute guns mark the setting forth p.* the King on his last journey. Out here we miss something of tho atmosphere of mourning that has dominated the Old Country, where thf» people's !oss is brought home to them constantly in n thousand whys. But there has boci no lack here of outward marks of sorrow that testify to the deep sense of almost personal loss felt by the whole community. Nor have these manifestations been due to a mere desire to be in the fashion ur to do what was correct. The almost universal adoption of some visible sign of mourning, even by those who dislike to wear the "suits and trappings of woe,"' the practically complete cessation of all business to-day, in some instances involving very considerable financial sacrifice— those ii<> to prove beyond doubt the genuineness of New Zealand's grief. To-morrow we shall all bo back in the wc-rk-a-day world, the usual round of duties and pleasures will be resumed, ;icd the current of life, chocked for a little while as the King passed to his lone home will flow again in all its ac-ci:-tomed channels. But to-day "the •'Pond March wails in the people's '■' cars" ; from the rising to the setting of tho sun all round the world tho British raco will share in the Empire's day of mourning, and in thought will stand with the millions crowding tho .street.*, of London to watch the great and impressive pageant of the Kings burial. Ke will go to his rest attended by a firoat retinue of Kings and Princes, around his coasts and on foreign shores tho deop-tongued guns will proclaim anew his death, but the truest tribute to his worth Ls the unaffected sorrow of his people, who gave him their trust and confidence to a degree that, they only now roalise.