DEATH OF QUEEN MARY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27011, 10 April 1953, Page 10

DEATH OF QUEEN MARY

PARLIAMENT

HOUSE EXPRESSES SYMPATHY “MEMORY WELL EVER BE HELD DEAR” (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 9. The House of Representatives, after after expressing sympathy this afternoon with Queen Elizabeth in the loss of her grandmother, adjourned till tomorrow morning as a mark of respect to the memory of Queen Mary. On the motion of the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) the following address will be presented to the Queen: — “To the Queen’s Most Excellent Majes'y—Most Gracious Sovereign, we, Your Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the members of the House of Representatives assembled, humbly offer to Your Majesty our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your gracious grandmother, Her Majesty Queen Mary, who with her illustrious husband, King George V, of beloved memory, stood for so long at the head of the British Empire and Commonwealth and with him embodied those Christian virtues we regard so highly. Her memory will ever be held dear by the people of New Zealand.” Mr Holland said he was sure the sentiments expressed in the .address were shared by all New Zealanders. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) seconded Mr Holland’s motion. , “For all in both public and private life the late Queen set a standard for her people,” said Mr Holland. “She was indeed the very embodiment of our conception of a Queen.” Recalling that her lifetime spanned six reigns, Mr Holland said that throughout, Queen Mary remained calm and serene amid the troubles that beset the world. “In her regal demeanour and unswerving devotion to duty she always set an example of those qualities of conduct which today, more than ever before, we must strive to attain,” he said.

Queen Mary was indeed a queen whom the people in days of doubt and sorrow were proud to look up to to seek strength and inspiration, said’the Prune Minister. “The British nation owes her much, and she in turn must have derived great joy and further strength from the knowledge that she was so beloved and revered by many millions of our people throughout the world,” he added. . “Oyer 50 years ago she came with ner husband, who was then Duke of Cornwall and York, to New Zealand That was one of the first occasions on which members of the Royal Family had paid a formal visit to this distant Paff of the Empire. In doing so they established a tradition which is happily being continued next summer.” Till her death Queen Mary continued her many interests and activities especially her charities, said Mr Holland. Till the last she still went among her people, in whose affections she always occupied a unique place. Mr Nash’s Tribute Mr Nash said that. Queen Mary was ®. symbol of all that . was loveable, dignified, and maternal in women. Although she. never broadcast nor spoke, she went among the people and talked to them She had the ability to make anyone feel at home in her presence She showed her magnificence in her modesty. Mr Nash suggested that Queen Marv in association with .King George V* was largely responsible for building file monarchy in its present high, un- . sfeakable position. During the Edward--W 1 P® riod , fhe monarchy had not said SUCh a hlgh P oB^oll as today, X“Q ueer } Mary was the supreme ex--«nple of the greatest of Gdd’s creamother,” said Mr Nash. “It «JII be a long time before we have wyone greater than this woman whom now mourn.” • -