HISTORIC LUNCHEON

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 9

HISTORIC LUNCHEON

THE KINGrPRESIDES

AN EXGEEIENT SPEECH

empire! gathering

ENTHUJSIiASWI AT CLOSE

(British Official. Wireless and United Vnm

'Association.) (Received May 8, 11.20 a.m.)

LONDON, May 7.

With this Lord Chancellor, Viscount Haiflsham, on his right, and the Speaker of the -• House of Commons, Captain Fitzroy, on his left, the 'King presided today at a luncheon given by his Majesty in the historic1 Westminster Hall in honour of the Prime Ministers and Ministers from the overseas Dominions who are in London for the Imperial Conference and of the delegates to the Empiqe Parliamentary Conference.

The. King sat in a chair which was brou^nt from Buckingham Palace and r the /guests sat at small round oaic tables. UJpon arrival his Majesty shook hands with each Dominion representative and then took his place at the nigh table with the Prime Ministers and members of the British Cabinet, the Earl of Athlone, the Archbishop of{ Canterbury, and others, whose sombre morning dress was relieved by thij robed and turbaned Indian and Burmese visitors.

' The Prime Minister of Australia,- Mr. 3}. A. Lyons, sat between Lord Stan.'hopo and Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr. M. /J. Savage, was next to Mr. C. R. Attlee, Leader of the Opposition.

The guests numbered' 800. KING'S EXCELLENT SPIRITS.

His Majesty looked robust and suntanned, and conversed vigorously with. Lord Hailsham and Captain Fitzroy. He was undoubtedly in excellent spirits.

His: Majesty began his speech nervously and spoke very slowly, but he soon warmed up. His address was splendidly audible and' excellently punctuated, and emphasised that his sipmmer has now completely disappeared, as was evidenced in the first few sentences, which included'hard g's and k's, whereas a few years ago these as' far as possible were not included in his speeches.

Replying to the loyal toast, his Majesty said: "I am delighted to have this early opportunity of welcoming my Prime Ministers and other Ministers from overseas, as well as so many representatives of the several Parliaments of the Empire.; This is a historic occasion. It is the first time the Sovereign, has been present at a luncheon in Westminster Hall to meet those who represent the Legislatures of the /

Empire. What worthier setting could be imagined than *this ancient hall which has been at once the scene and the silent witness of so many stirring events in the history of the Parliament of this country? Here have grown up the principles which form the bulwark of the system known, to us . as, Parliamentary- Government. Those principles have been carried by the people'of our face to the end 3 of .the earth. .They are now the heritage and pride of all parts of the British Commonwealth of Nations."

At the conclusion of the function the King walked down the centre of the hall, followed by the Empire representatives. Prolonged applause followed when Captain Fitzroy. turning to the King, said: "Your Majesty, we have the utmost confidence in the future of your reign."