FIRST BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 62, 10 September 1937, Page 8

FIRST BUSINESS

OPENING OF SESSION

MOTION OF LOYALTY

Business considered by the House of Representatives when it met yesterday afternoon after the official opening of Parliament by his Excellency the Gov-ernor-General (Viscount Galway) was confined almost entirely to questions arising out of the change of the Monarchy of the British Empire. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M J Savage) read a message from the former King.Edward VIII expressing his thanks for the loyal message of congratulation on the occasion of his accession to the Throne, passed last session. Mr. Savage moved formally that the message should be entered in the Journals 'of the House. Mr Savage then asked the House to approve of the- action of the Government in giving its assent, as required under the Statute of Westminster, to the abdication of tang Edward VIII, and the accession of King George VI. This, together with the GovernorGeneral's message conveying the Proclamation of King George's accession to the Throne, was approved and the House agreed to their being incorporated in the Journals. Mr Savage then moved that/ the following loyal motion should be conveyedtc.his Majesty King George V "To the "King's . most excellent Majesty, Most Gracious Sovereign,— , We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Council; and the House of Representatives of New Zealand in Parliament assembled, respectfully beg to submit to your Majesty congratulations on your acSton to.the Throne, and on your Coronation, and to assure your Majesty of our loyal attachment to your peison and we would pray for your Majesty the glory of a reign to be distinguished by. peace, prosperity, and a general advancement in the social and economic conditions of your sub"^The Prime Minister said that it was his great privilege to attend the Coronation of their Majesties King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. He thought it was a great privilege and honour to have been present on such an occasion, and if one were to spend years in trying to find5 words to express fully one's admiration of the affection and loyalty of the British'people, it would be impossible to do it adequately. } had the opportunity of meeting their Majesties in person, of seeing them in their own home,-so to speak," said Mr. Savage, "and I felt all the time that I was their friend. I think that that is just as it should be, but the important part of it to me was that it was reality. The King is as much, akin to the worker in the mine and the labourer in the field as to the nobility. I repeat that it was a privilege to be there to represent New Zealand on that occasion, to see for oneself the great affection that was displayed in the streets and elsewhere by people, not only from the British Empire, but from all parts of the world." The motion was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton). .

Mr. Hamilton said that the King had ascended the Throne at a troublesome time in the world's history, and he had already shown himself to be possessed of exceptional ability and the kingly qualifies which had endeared his late father to the hearts of. the British peoples. The Opposition had intense pleasure in joining the Prime Minister in his - expression of loyalty and affection.