PORTRAIT OF KING

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 18, 20 July 1935, Page 10

PORTRAIT OF KING

GIFT TO DOMINION

UNVEILING CEREMONY

TRIBUTE TO PATRIOTISM

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, June 29. It was originally intended that the portrait of the King, painted by Mr. John St. Helier Lander, and presented to New Zealand by Mr. T. B. Davis, should be hung permanently in New Zealand House, London. At the official unveiling it was stated \ that the portrait would be sent to l the new National Gallery in Welling- ■ ton. The change of policy is a good 1 one, for there is no room in New Zealand House in which it could be ■ adequately hung, and it would be ap- • predated a great deal more in New Zealand, where the people—especially ! the younger members of the community—have no opportunity of seeing the King in real life. "it was unfortunate that the Duke of York, who was to have unveiled the portrait, had had medical advice to keep to his room owing to a temperature. Prince Arthur of Connaught, however, was found willing to take ■ the Duke's place at a few hours' ■ notice. The portrait was hung temporarily in the entrance hall of New Zealand House, and covered with a curtain of two Union Jacks. A light was arranged to illuminate it after the unveiling. Invitations had been issued to a number of prominent New Zealanders to attend the ceremony, and the Prince was received by the High Commissioner, Mr. Forbes, and Mr. Coates. "We are met," said Sir James Parr, "for the purpose of enabling a very generous Englishman, Mr. T. B. Davis, to present to the Dominion of New Zealand —and for the Premier to accept on behalf of the Dominion —a very fine portrait of the King, which his Majesty himself considers quite good. "RIGHT CONCEPTION OF EMPIRE." ' "Mr. Davis is a good Empire man, and thinks there is nothing in the world better than the British Empire. He has got the right conception of what the Empire is. It is a great community of nations, based upon a common Kingship, and Mr. Davis is paying, tribute to this conception of Kingship in presenting this fine picture to the Dominion of New Zealand." Mr. Davis, the High Commissioner said, was a great yachtsman and had sailed the seven seas. New Zealand had the finest yachting grounds in .the world, and if Mr. Davis would come to New Zealand they would undertake to give him a very wonderful time,! ■ In thanking Prince Arthur for his kindness in' attending to unveil the portrait, the High Commissioner said the Prince^ was entitled to the freedom of New Zealand fishing waters, ; and he hoped he would pay a visit to the Dominion. Mr. Davis said there was no place ■in the Empire which deserved this : Royal portrait more than New Zea--1 land. He was at Durban during the South African War and saw the thou- ' sands of gentlemen soldiers from New Zealand, who knew fully what they ■ were to face, and were ready to give ■of their best. He hoped that, the i people of New Zealand would appreci- ■ ate the picture,: iand that as large a ■ number as": possiblel would have the opportunity of seeing the portrait of : their beloved King,' who had so enr deared himself to his people that they were willing to give their lives for ■ him and for their country. Mr. Davis : said his own two sons were in the • Great War. They lost one and very : nearly lost the other. The portrait had : been painted by a fellow Jerseyman. : He appreciated the Prime Minister's i presence to receive it, and he had great : pleasure in handing it over to the [ Government and people of New Zeas land. 1 THE ROYAL FAMILY. ' Mr. Forbes said there was nothing ' the people of New Zealand would api predate more than the portrait of his ! Majesty. The Dominion had to thank [ Jersey for other good things. The wonderful cattle had been an import--1 ant factor in the development of one of the greatest industries, almost to the extent .of embarrassment. He i would have the greatest pleasure ! handing on the picture to the National . Gallery in Wellington, a new gallery ; than which nothing could be finer. Mr. Davis's presentation would be api preciated by the people of the Do- . minion from one end to the other. ■ Many of them remembered quite distinctly the visit of their Majesties to : New Zealand. They had also had the pleasure of having visits from other members of the Royal family, and they : felt they had the 'very closest conncc- : tion with the Royal family, beginning i at the time of the Treaty of Waitangi, ' when the Native race placed "their • welfare in the hands of Queen Vie- ■ toria. The Natives had the highest regard and respect for the Queen, and that spirit had continued in relation to members of the Royal family when they had come to visit the country. He thanked Mr. Davis on behalf of the people of New Zealand. Prince Arthur said that although he was there to fill a gap he had the greatest pleasure in doing something for the great little Dominion of New Zealand, and he came most willingly to meet again his old friend, Mr. Davis. Unfortunately, he had not had an opportunity of visiting New Zealand, but he had heard a' great deal from his cousins about the wonderful scenery and the fishing, and he hoped some day it would fall to his lot to go out Ito the most beautiful country in the world. He wished prosperity to the National Art Gallery, and he now had pleasure in "doing his job." A FULL-LENGTH PORTRAIT.. Prince Arthur drew the curtains aside and revealed the fine full-length portrait, representing his Majesty in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, wearing the mantle of the Garter. Those who saw the portrait for the first time were delighted with it, and there is no doubt that the artist, Mr. John S. Helier Lander, has produced a picture which will please the New Zealand people and will worthily fill an important position in the new Art Gallery. Mr. Coates had the duty of thanking Prince Arthur. He agreed with the Prime Minister that the Prince should take the earliest opportunity of, visiting the Dominion which today was not really far away by air line. He could catch some of the big fish and hear some of the big fish stories. He was sure his Majesty's portrait would find a fitting resting place, and he was sure his Majesty would feel the warmth of affection radiating from the people of New Zealand when they gazed upon the picture. It had a far-reaching function to perform. Prince Arthur, with an . expression which seemed to imply that he was seriously ' considering the matter, said: "I hope some day I will come out and catch one of those fish, and I assure you I shall be able to tell some tall stories, too." Mr. Lnnrl"-" was .ore.sent at the ceremony and received many 'congratulations on his work.