IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 100, 22 January 1936, Page 15

IN AUSTRALIA

News Received With Great Solemnity

LEADERS AND PRESS PAY GLOWING TRIBUTES

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.

(Received January 21, 7.15 p.m.). Sytihey, January 21.

News of the King’s death was received here with great solemnity. On parapets of buildings appeared bareheaded men lowering flags to halfmast, Sporting events were abandoned, public offices, courts and the Stock Exchange, closed. The Royal Australian Artillery fired a salute of 70 guns, one for each year of the late King’s life. Tlie Sheffield Shield match, New South Wales v. South Australia, has been abandoned, the result being credited as a first innings win to the former. Sydney’s reception of the news of the King’s death was echoed in all States. Sports have been postponed, public offices closed, courts adjourned, Stock Exchanges closed find flags flown at half-mast. ll' The GovernomGeneral, Sir Isaac Isaacs, dispatched the following message to Lord Wigram: “The Government and people of the Commonwealth of Australia join with me in expressing our profound grief in the death of our beloved Sovereign, whose loss is mourned to-day throughout the whole Empire; and in extending our deep sympathy in their affliction to his Majesty the King, her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.” All theatres are closed to-uight. All broadcasting stations cancelled regular programmes, substituting broadcasts suitable to the occasion. Prime Minister’s Tribute. Mr. J. A. Lyons, Prime Minister, said: “The King goes to his last rest after a reign in which he led his people with wisdom, dignity and devotion, through perilous days, and Australians, with the rest of the Empire, will mourn the passing of a beloved monarch. It it hard to realise that the man who was able to review with so alert a mind the vastness of the Empire, is no more. That, hand which acknowledged the heartfelt cheers of the multitudes, is still, and that face which so readily lit up into a smile of appreciation will never smile again. He typified all that seems best in British character.” The Leader of the Federal Opposition, Mr. J. Curtin, said: “The people of Australia, in common with British people . everywhere, experience the deepest and the most sincere sorrow at the death of the King. His Majesty reigned in the most eventful era in history, in which, by his personal gifts, he added to the traditions of British sovereignty a symbolic fitness that has enriched our democratic system of government. The dignity of bis kingship became a living counterpart of his rule of his people. He typified the genius of our race and, from his exalted place, set a standard of duty which has given strength to. the ordered instrument of constituted authority.” “Made Love of Peace a Tradition.” Within a few moments of the announcement of the King’s death, a special edition of the “Sydney Morning Herald” appeared in the streets. In an article reviewing his Majesty’s life, the papei - states: “With the death of the King, tlie whole far-flung British Empire mourns to-day the close of an illustrious and beneficent reign. His Majesty’s father justly earned the honoured title of Edward tlie Peacemaker, but King George made love of peace a tradition. The richer for his influence and good life, the British Empire is, to-day, the poorer for the King’s death.”

A special edition of the “Sun” says: “Death has removed a mighty monarch but the peoples of the Empire grieve for tlie loss of a well-loved friend. A human relationship existed between King George and his subjects, which was unique in history. The King established this chiefly by the fatherly and intimate talks which he addressed by wireless from his fireside each Christ mas Day to all Britons everywhere. By the agencies also of cinematography and the modern Press the life of the monarch became for the first time an open book in which tlie whole Empire could read.” References to New King. Referring to King Edward VIII as the world’s most popular personality, tlie “Sun” says: “In every way the career of their new ruler has pleased the peoples of tlie Empire. With affectionate -admiration and deepening respect they have watched tlie development of his life, first as a high-spirited boy, then as a gallant young soldier, then as a Royal ambassador and Prince of hearts and then —when the depression occurred—as an energetic leader of tlie fight to revive British trade and revitalise the national spirit of idealism and social service.”

'Tile “Sydney Morning Herald” says: “The new King has already found his way into the hearts of his people in a way that none of his predecessors has been able to accomplish. His sunny nature, charm of manner, fine tact and handsome appearance alone might have created fop him much of the popularity which he at present enjoys, but his war record —the fact that ho shared and was more than willing to share the hardships and dangers that attended the nation’s greatest hour of trouble--has enthroned him as a national idol.” COURT IN MOURNING Year Probable Period (Received January 21, 10.35 p.m.) Loudon, January 21. If precedent is followed the Court will go into mourning for a year, deep, mourning for'the first six months and then half mourning. When King Edward VII died it was intimated that the public was expected “to put themselves into decent mourning.” A similar announcement is expected to-day. Mourning for men consists of a black tie and/or black armlet. Women may wear black, black and white, grey or mauve.