STRAIN OF DUTIES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 98, 20 January 1936, Page 9

STRAIN OF DUTIES

Unremitting Work Since J Last Illness

(Received January 19, 6.30 p.m.) London, January IS.

With his Majesty’s illness the happy life at Sandringham, where their Majesties like to forget cares of State and where the King has been happiest with his guns and dogs, has been overclouded. The picturesque house has become the centre of the Empire’s, indeed the world’s, anxieties. The King’s sudden illness caused the abandonment of a private cinema in the ballroom last night, to which many residents had been invited. To-day’s shooting party has been cancelled. The Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the Princess Royal saw his Majesty several times to-day. The two little princesses, before leaving for London, were taken to see their grandfather, from whom they parted affectionately, after which they kissed the Queen good-bye and said they were looking forward to seeing Grandpa soon well again.

The King occupies a room overlooking the park, while in the distance can be seen the little grey tower of the parish church, dating back to 1150, where the Royal Family worship on Sundays and where special prayers will be offered to-morrow for his Majesty’s recovery. Until his illness his Majesty spent the present holiday quietly and has not done a great deal of shooting, as is customary during his New Year visit to Sandringham. The King attended Sandringham Church every Sunday, walking a quarter of a mile to it through the Sandringham gardens. People last Sunday were impressed by his appearance of good health.

Circles in close touch with the Court emphasise that the King’s illness is not only tlie result of a sudden cold, and point out that the King, for seven years, has carried on unremittingly tho duties of his high station after his recovery from his grave illness of 1929, of which the strain will inevitably remain, leaving his Highness more susceptible than others. Nevertheless the King, in the opinion of those seeing him daily, came through the Jubilee celebrations excellently, but last month grief, due to the death of Princess Victoria, inevitably affected his spirits. EUROPE SHARING ANXIETY News of Illness Causes Deep Regret (Received January 19. 7.30 p.m.) London, January 19. Herr Hitler has. telegraphed to the King his heartiest wishes for a speedy recovery. Newspapers give prominence to the bulletins and express deepest sympathy with Britain. News of the King's illness was received with the deepest regret in Italy, despite the anti-British feeling. It has been noteworthy that even when the campaign was at it its bitterest there was no criticism of the Royal Family. At Paris, M. Laval and M. Lebrun, President, were informed of his Majesty's illness. An official spokesman declared that the news created deep gloom, as the King is held in the greatest respect. News of the King's condition is given precedence over polities in broadcasts, despite the nation’s anxiety to know whether M. Herriot had resigned. Copenhagen newspapers publish long and sympathetic articles and crowds watch the latest information displayed at newspaper offices. The Swiss and Lithuanian Ministers, speaking at a dinner of the Institute of Linguists, in London, expressed the concern of their countries at the King’s illness, the Swiss Minister paying a tribute to the King as being more than any other man the symbol of international goodwill, understanding and peace. NEW ZEALAND SYMPATHY By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, January 19.

The following message has been sent to Queen Mary by the Governor-Gen-eral, Viscount Galway: "To her Majesty Queen Mary, Sandringham: The Government and the people of New Zealand have learned with great concern of the illness of Ute King, and they desire to express to your Majesty their respectful sympathy in your pre-

sent anxiety. It is their most earnest prayer that his Majesty may soon be restored to health—Galway, GovernorGeneral.” AUSTRALIAN MESSAGE (Received January 19, 6.30 p.m. t Sydney, January 19. The Governor-General sent the following cable to the King’s private se-

cretary: “The Government and people of Australia and my wife and I have learned with great regret of his Majesty’s indisposition and humbly pray for his early and complete recovery.”

WELLINGTON CHURCHES

Special Prayers Offered

Special prayers for the restoration of King George to health were offered up at most of the Wellington city and suburban churches last night. Several churches also included such prayers in their morning services, and it is intended by some denominations to continue the prayers at week-night meetings. - The news of King Georges illness came at a time when many ministers are on holiday, and consequently the various denominations could not organise special services, but most of the Anglican, Presbyterain and Methodist churches arranged special prayers for the evening services. Roman Catholic congregations are to bo recommended to remember King George in their private prayers. Nothing united could lie doue by the Baptist Church, but special prayers were included in their services bv some ministers.