EMPIRES PART IN CORONATION

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26856, 8 October 1952, Page 8

EMPIRES PART IN CORONATION

ENGLISH JOURNALS’ SUGGESTION

MR HOLLAND OPPOSES CHANGE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 7. It would be almost a “ceremonial revolution” to change substantially the Coronation ceremony next year to allow representatives of overseas subjects to perform any particular part of the function, said the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) tonight. He was commenting on reports in some English journals suggesting that the overseas representatives of dominions and colonies should be given an active part in the Coronation. “New Zealand’s representatives will be proud to play whatever part is assigned to them.” said Mr Holland. “It is fully appreciated that the Coronation is an Empire and Commonwealth occasion of the greatest importance, but it must be borne in mind that the actual ceremonial that is so rich in historic tradition and pageantry is essentially an English one. It would be almost a ceremonial revolution to change that ceremony substantially to permit representatives of overseas subjects to perform any particular part of the- function.” It had also been suggested tliat there might be a Commonwealth ceremony in Westminster Hall, said Mr Holland, but the normal ceremonial and procession, were long, and were a physical ordeal for all. especially the Queen. One of the greatest services New Zealand could render Her Majesty was to ensure that by her willingness and selflessness she was not exposed to the dangers of exhaustion through any avoidable strain. “I wish to make it clear that New Zealand is an Empire country, and proud of it,” said Mr Holland. "We are deeply interested in the Coronation and its ceremonies. We are preSared to play any part required of us. ut we take the view that the greatest help we can be after making that clear, is to leave arrangements to those who have to make them. “The occasion of the Coronation means much to our country and to its people, and we count it a privilege to participate in its proceedings, which have so great and venerable a tradition.”