Commonwealth Capital

Evening Star, Issue 19552, 10 May 1927, Page 12

Commonwealth Capital

A Day of Rejoicing

Press Association—By Telegraph— I Copyright.

SYDNEY, May 9. The ceremonies at Canberra to-day began by their Royal Highnesses, preceded by the Governor-General and Lady Stonehaven, driving _ through linos of naval, military, and air forces, the machines of the Air Forces providing an aerial escort while a Royal salute was fired and a fanfare of trumpets was sounded.

The Houses of Parliament and the special stands along the route were filled with invited guests.

On platforms at the entrance and in Parliament House were the State Governors, the Federal Ministers and their wives, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dame Melba, the heads of the Protestant denominations, and other invited guests. Lord and Lady Stonehaven, with Mr Bruce and his wife, met their Royal Highnesses as they mounted the steps of Parliament House, where they were received by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. At this juncture Dame Melba stepped forward and sang a verse of the National Anthem, the assemblage, by request, refraining from joining in until she had ended. Then the choir led the public in repeating the verse with a great and unrestrained _ outburst of music, which bad a magnificent effect. Mr Bruce shortly addressed the gathering, and formally asked the Duke of York to open the door of Parliament House, using a golden key, which will be returned to be preserved as a memento of the occasion. The Duke of York was given a duplicate key, and so were the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.

When the door was opened, but before the threshold was crossed, a short religious service, invoking the blessing of Almighty God on the new capital, was conducted by the heads of the Anglican, Presbyterian, and Methodist Churches. The Roman Catholic Church was asked to join, but the Apostolic delegate stated that' the principles of the church did not allow this, though he fully' agreed that the blessing of pod should he invoked on the new capital, and had arranged to hold a special function that day. The Royal and Vice-Regal groups and the invited guests next entered the buildings, and the Duke of York unveiled a statue of King George. Thence the party proceeded to the Senate Chamber, where further functions were performed," the firing of a Royal salute and a repetition of the fanfare of trumpets concluding this portion of the ceremonies at noon. Later the Duke of York held an investiture. and at 1 o’clock he attended an official luncheon. GOOD OMEN A DAY OF SUNSHINE. SYDNEY, May 9. After several days of showery and misty weather Canberra awoke to-day in glorious sunshine, looking at its best in all its autumn beauty, with its wide stretching green hills and valleys and lofty surrounding mountains, which later on reverberated to the sound of field guns firing Royal salutes. The town and its visitors were astir early, and by the time the Royal carriage had entered the route from Government House to Parliament House it was thronged with enthusiastic crowds. _ Carriages with quaint jieruked postillions and outriders passed between lines of naval men and troops, whose bayonets glistened in the sunlight, a body of Light Horse with flashing lances and glittering pennons forming an escort, with numerous airships fluttering overhead. There was a remarkable demonstration ns the Royal couple approached the steps of Parliament House, the assemblage throwing their hats in the air and cheering vociferously. The whole scene was most imposing and impressive. FAITH IN THE EMPIRE PRIME MINISTER’S DECLARATION. SYDNEY, May 9. After the party had mounted the steps of Parliament House Mr JBruco (Prime Minister) delivered a speech expressing the national joy and satisfaction at the presence of the Duke and Duchess of York as the representatives of King George, who was the visible symbol of our unity and the centre of all our loyalties, and recalling the fact that the King twenty-five years ago inaugurated the first Parliament or the Commonwealth on an uncharted sea. Since then Australia had emerged with a definite national consciousness, and had evolved great policies, which not only governed their lives to-day, but which future generations must inevitably follow. He referred to Australia’s part in the war, which had proved her worthy to endure. Within a period of a little more than a quarter of a century a nation had been,born. With humility in our hearts,” said Mr Bruce, “we render thanks to Divine Providence for all that we have done and are. We remember with gratitude the fostering care of the Mother Country and the protection enjoyed under the British flag. To-day it is our solemn duty to reaffirm qur faith in our country and our devotion to the Throne and Empire. Great though our progress has been, Australia is but on the threshold of achievement.” He then pictured a much greater future, and added; “ May those who enter these portals govern with justice, reason, and equal favor to all in humility and without self-interest. May they do so with the voice of those who sent them—the people. Let us march forward to our destiny with firm purpose and high resolve.” Amid deafening applause, Mr Bruce handed the Duke of York a key, and asked him to open the _ door of the future home of the Parliament of the Commonwealth. Mr Bruce, in handing the key to the Duke, added: “We recognise that this occasion marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Australia. We look'back on a story of accomplishment which fills ns with pride, and we look forward with confidence that we shall prove worthy of the great destiny which lies before us.” THE DUKE'S REPLY A NEW PAGE IN HISTORY. SYDNEY, May 9. The Duke of York, after using the key, said that the King, _ his dear father,' desiring to mark the importance of , the opening, of the first meeting of the Federal Parliament in the new eauital of the Commonwealth of Aus-

The Canberra Ceremonies

tralia, and to show his keen interest in all that concerned the welfare and advancement of his subjects, had commissioned him to act as his representative in performing to-day’s ceremony. He added“ I am commanded by the King to say that his thoughts are witli you in this hour. To-day’s historic occasion brings back vivid memories of the ninth of May, twenty-six years ago, when, as Duke of Cornwall and York, he opened the first Parliament of the Commonwealth. Both he and the Queen retain the happiest memories of that occasion, and the Duchess of York and I are proud to be following in their footsteps. We thank you for the welcome we have received,_ and the kindness showered upon us in every part of Australia.” The Duke’s speech then alluded to the wonderful evolution and the marvellous changes and progress made during the intervening quarter of a century, ft had been a testing time, when under the stress of the greatest war in our history, the Empire had found a new meaning and new strength. Quickened by all these influences without and within, the British Empire had advanced to a new conception of autonomy and freedom, to the idea of a system of British nations, each freely ordering its own individual life, but bound together in unity by allegiance to one Crown, and co-operating with one another in all that concerned the Commonwealth. “The King’s earnest prayer, in which I fervently join,” said the Duke of York, “is that under divine providence the future years may see the development and prosperity of the Empire, and of all its parts in The same spirit of mutual understanding, and the same determination to'support one another to the utmost should the need come.” The Duke concluded as follows:—“It is perhaps peculiarly fitting that we should celebrate the birth of this new capital city just after the close of an Imperial Conference, which represents the beginning of a new chapter in our Empire story. May this day s ceremony mark the re-dedica-tion of this Commonwealth to those great ideals of liberty, fair dealing, justice, and devotion to the cause of peace for which the Empire and all its members stand. _ We turn to-day a new page in history. May it be a page glorious for Australia and for the whole Empire.” LOOKING TO THE FUTURE TRIBUTE TO RIONEERS AND SOLDIERS. SYDNEY, May 9. Speaking on his own behalf from the steps of Parliament House after the opening ceremony the Duke of York referred to to-day’s events as a landmark in the history of Australia, “marking not .only the opening of the new Parliament House and the inauguration of the new capital_ city, but more because one feels the stirring of a new and quickened national activity and a fuller consciousness of your destiny as one of the self-govern-ing units of the British Empire. One’s thoughts turn instinctively to what the future may have in store. One’s own life would hardly be worth living without its dreams_ of better things, and the life of a nation without such dreams of a better and a larger future would be poor indeed. Standing here and looking over the beautiful site chosen for the Federal capital. I think of those great men who worked for a federated Australia, and whose aim was realised when my father opened the Federal Parliament. < We are now building on the foundation which they laid. 1 think wo should all have in our hearts one other vision. On Anzac Day we commemorate those gallant men and women who laid down their lives in the war. Though they have passed into the great beyond they are still speaking to those who choose to listen, and it Australia listens to the voices of the noble army of dead, and if the great army of living and those yet unborn are determined to march in step, with their faces towards the ideals for which those men and women died, then the glorious destiny of this country is assured for all time.” THE KING’S MESSAGE SYDNEY, May 9. At the conclusion of his speech in the Senate Chamber the Duke of York read a message from the King, in which the latter stated: — , Our thoughts are more than ever with, you on this day of happy memory to me and the Queen. On this occasion of signal importance in the history of Australia, I ask you to assure our people of the Commonwealth of my heartfelt wishes for their continued happiness and progress. I share their pride _in the new capital city, and join in their prayers for their successful future. THE PARADE GROUND A STRIKING DISPLAY. SYDNEY, May 9. A parade of the naval, military, and air forces provided a great finale for the day’s ceremonies, the most impressive sight being a display of regimental colors bearing the names of the battles in which the units had participated. When the Duke of York, on' horseback, with an escort of light horsemen, rode to the parade ground the greatest fleet of aeroplanes ever gathered together in Australia performed amazing feats over the heads of the assembled forces. As the units, bearing the King’s and regimental colors, passed the saluting base thousands of onlookers paid tribute as they stood in silence with bare heads in memory of the dead. After the Duke had taken the salute the troops advanced in review order, providing an impressive finish for a memorable day. It is estimated that there were 35,000 onlookers, who gave the Duke_ and Duchess of York a stirring reception. His Royal Highness looked well on horseback, and managed his spirited charger in a fashion which drew applause from the onlookers. Crowds gathered in different parts of Sydney to hear a broadcast description of tbe opening ceremony, but the reproduction of the speeches was faulty, and the account, which was given by an amateur instead of by a professional announcer, was very prosaic, lacking color, contrast, and life. CONCLUDING FUNCTIONS _ SYDNEY, May 9. At the ..conclusion of the Duke of York’s speech from the steps of Parliament House a united religious service was held, and after an impressive bless-

ing ceremony by the Acting Primate of the Anglican Church, Mr Bruce handed the keys of Parliament to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The House met later, and after transacting formal business, passed a resolution expressing Parliament’s sense of the honor done to the Commonwealth by the opening by the Duke of York. The official estimate of the attendance at the opening ceremony is 35,000. The religious services included the blessing of the capital city site and Parliament by Archbishop Cattaneo, the Apostolic delegate in Australia. CANBERRA FLORINS SYDNEY, May 9. The Commonwealth Bank was rushed by many thousands of people who were anxious to secure the special issue of Canberra florins, queues lining up outside the bank all day. AH AEROPLANE MISHAP PILOT INJURED. SYDNEY, May 9. The conclusion of to-day’s ceremonies at Canberra was marred by a serious aeroplane accident. While participating in the final stages of the review an aeroplane, piloted by Flying Officer Ewen, of Point 'Cook, flying under fourteen other machines, craslied. The aeroplane seemed suddenly to stop and then dived, striking the earth with terrific force, and hitting its way 2ft intophe ground. The machine splintered and burst into flames. The' rescuers managed to release the pilot, who was taken to the hospital critically injured. INTEREST IN ENGLAND LONDON, May 9. An effort to broadcast the Canberra proceedings in England failed, as nothing intelligible could be heard. Apparently the wave length and the time ■ were unsuitable. If it had been early in the morning or early in the evening doubtless it would have been all right. Practically every London newspaper makes Canberra its feature story. _ The speeches at the opening are published fully, and the papers also devote editorials to tho subject. The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ says editorially : “It is typical of Australian genius, which by bold political innovations and social experiment has set so many fruitful examples to the Old World, that Canberra is conceived on original lines. The population will be tenants of the nation.” The ‘ Daily Chronicle ’ editorially says: “Canberra’s conception is significantly different from that of a London, a Paris, or a Rome, each with traditions stretching back far into the past. Canberra’s traditions have yet to be made, because the nation whose capital she will become is more a nation of the future than of to-day.”

The ‘Daily News’ says: “Canberra is of special interest to all -democratic peoples of the world as a wonder capital—smokeless, dustless, mudless, odorless, and slumless. If only we could rebuild London on the lines of Canberra.”