“A GREAT MAN AND A GREAT LEADER”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 100, 22 January 1936, Page 16

“A GREAT MAN AND A GREAT LEADER”

Prime Minister’s Tribute

DAY OF MOURNING IMMEDIATELY DECLARED BY GOVERNMENT

Absent Ministers Recalled to Wellington

A tribute to the memory of King George V was expressed by the Prime Minister of New Zealand shortly after receiving the official announcement from London of the death of his Majesty. The Hon. M. J. Savage said: — “In common with all other citizens of the Dominion I am deeply moved and distressed by the death of his Majesty King George V. A great man and a great leader has passed away, and this Dominion joins with the rest of the British Commonwealth of Nations in mourning the loss of its beloved Monarch.

“No man in modern times has so endeared himself to so many millions of people. During the war years and the years of depression he showed the deepest sympathy with his subjects in all their sufferings and distress. Indeed, through his reign he shared the cares and hopes of the humblest of his people. “The jubilee celebrations last year showed how deeply he was honoured as a leader and loved and respected as a man. The reason was not hard to find. He had revealed himself through numerous crises and through a long and illustrious reign as a man of great wisdom and character, and always as a simple, direct and lovable personality. “The deepest and most heartfelt sympathy of the people of this Dominion goes out to her Majesty the Queen and the other /members of the Royal Family in their hour of sorrow.”

Within two minutes after the news of the King’s death had-been received at Parliament House the blinds on the windows of all State buildings in Wellington had been drawn, and flags broken at half-mast with a black pennant above them. A Day of Mourning To-day. Shadows and a subdued light dominated Parliament buildings, and in the hush Ministers of the Crown and officers of the’State rapidly made arrangements for the proclamation of a day of mourning to-day, and the cancellation of all public festivities. Almost immediately the Prime Minister, Hon. M. J. Savage, by telegram requested his Excellency the GovernorGeneral, Viscount. Galway “to convey to the Secretary of State for Dominion Affnirs an expression of the most profound sorrow that is shared by his Majesty’s Government in New Zealand and by all sections of the community of this Dominion at the passing of their beloved Sovereign, King George V.” Soon, also, messages were sent out

to absent Ministers of the Crown, recalling them to Wellington without delay. Although the Demise of the Crown Act automatically confirms all Ministers of the Crown in their offices, it is usual, on the death of the monarch, to take the Oath of Allegiance to the new King, and it is probable that this procedure will be followed in New Zealand.

An Executive Council was held yesterday afternoon with the Prime Minister presiding, for the purpose of arranging for the gazetting of a proclamation as to the death of the King, and the fixing of an official day of mourning, which is to be observed today. Observance of Mourning. With respect to the wearing of mourning, it is understood that it will be appropriate for women and girls to wear a black rosette on the breast, and men and boys to wear a biack ribbon on the lapel of the coat. The authorities at Parliament House yesterday afternoon were literally inundated by requests from all over New Zealand for official information as to what should be done in respect of places of entertainment, receptions and festivities. All inquirers were informed that as far as entertainments last evening were concerned there was no compulsion as to postponement, which was entirely a matter for individual decision. As regards the official day of mourning, however, it was pointed out that, according to precedent there was no question about deferring everything in the nature of festivities and entertainment The Wellington Racing Club was the first of

innumerable inquirers to agree at once to postpone the opening of its summer race meeting. State Offices Closed. It was announced officially yesterday that all Government offices throughout the Dominion would be closed from 1.30 p.m. yesterday and all day to-day, which will be observed as a Day of Mourning. From now on until the close of the day of the funeral, blinds in all Government offices will be drawn. The Government offices throughout New Zealand will reopen as usual tomorrow:’ During the period of mourning all Government stationery will be marked with a black border. DOMINION’S SYMPATHY Governor-General’s Messages New Zealand’s sympathy with Queen Mary in the death of the King has been expressed by the Governor-General,

Viscount Galway, in a cablegram addressed to the Queen at Sandringham :— “The Government and peoples of New Zealand, with whom my wife and I beg to join, offer to your Majesty most respectful condolences and sympathy. The death of his Majesty is mourned by all classes. His magnificent example of devotion to duty and the carrying out of the highest conceptions of sovereignty have left a permanent mark in history and on the relations between this Dominion and the Mother Country. The hearts of all are grieving with your Majesty in your overwhelming sorrow, and they pray that the knowledge that your grief is shared by the -whole Empire may be a consolation.”

The Governor-General has also sent the following cablegram to the Prince of Wales at Sandringham:—

“The Government and peoples of New Zealand, with whom my wife and I beg to join, tender to your Royal Highness the profound grief of all classes at the death of the King. His noble example and lofty patriotism will enshrine his memory for all time. May it please your Royal Highness to convey to members of the Royal Family the sorrowing condolences of the Dominion.”