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Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 90, 13 October 1931, Page 9

I (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 4th September. In his recently-published "Keminiscences," a book full of interesting reading, Lord Kilbracken makes a reference to tho King's love of football. Lord Kilbracken, who was TJnder-Secretary of "tato for India (1883-1909) relates that when he was at tho India Office, King George V.—then Prince of Wales —attended a luncheon there given by tho Secretary of State. At that time tho Prince was about to start on his first trip to India. In the course of conversation, tho Prince confided to Lord Kilbracken that the one drawback to Ms enjoyment of the prospect of his tour was the thought that he would miss seeing the New Zealand team play Eugby in the Mother Country. The Prince added, not in the least knowing that Lord Kilbracken was a Eugbeian: "It is the finest game in the world." A special correspondent in "The Morning Post" this week gave a most illuminating outline of the King's official life and of hi 3 close personal attention to every turn of events at Home and abroad. The notes were written on the King's departure from London for Oowes. "Tho King has eschewed the "glories" of Goodwood races—an occasion for which he has never shown any great appetite—and has put forward by several days the usual date of his arrival at Cowes. If this arrangement has been wholly within the Sovereign's pleasure, it will also give very definite satisfaction to his millions of faithful subjects; for the days spent on board the Royal yacht afford something like repose of mind and relief from nervous exhaustion. BURDEN OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. "A careful retrospect of the last three months would leave no doubt as to the business which has been accomplished in one of the busiest lives lived in London. A table of King George's social engagements during the —so-called —London season would pall if its magnitude were compared with the list compiled by—or for—King Edward for the same period. There are none of the week-end visits or bridge dinners which King Edward so much enjoyed; entertainments at private houses are scarcely ever honoured by the King's presence ; mundane pleasures .are tasted very sparingly. "Epsom and Ascot races, a couple of visits to the Opera, and perhaps twice as many to the theatre, a dinner at Ore we House, a succession of courts, levees, and investitures, a dinner given to the Jockey Club, a Palace ball and garden party, the ceremonial opening of a hospital, perhaps, go to make up the sum of the King's public, and everpopular, appearances. "But that is not the whole story. The rock fact is that the King allows the burden of public affairs to lie with its full weight upon Ms own shoulders. N detail of domestic politics is too trifling for him to consider, no thread of international difficulties too entangled for him to insist on unravelling for himself, or, anyhow, having it unravcllcdi before his eyes. THE DAY'S TASK. "Morning and evening the red boxes are piled high in his room; it is not sufficient to "go through" the contents and select those of special and immediate importance and interest for perusal; there are few papers which are not closely examined and perhaps sharply commented on before even a mental approval is registered even if an official consent is not required. "Domestic politics have just lately been far from easy; trouble and disaffection have been sadly rife in European centres. "With anxious thought and close attention the King has been known to follow every turn of events at Home and abroad; he will never allow anything like depression to occupy for a x. oment his own mind or the minds of any who approach him, but hia preoccupation in matters concerning tho welfare of the country he rules is more than enough to impose a strain which the breezes of Cowes and the successes oi the Britannia may healthily relax. "Queen Victoria would plead in terms that might draw tears from a stone that work was well nigh killing her. King George works incessantly, but. without murmur or complaint. May tlio sun shine on his holiday."

rue international cable uews appearing in mis issuu is published by arrangement with tlio Australian Press Association and tho "Sua," "Herald," Jhcuj Office, liUuited.