DEVOTION TO THRONE

Evening Star, Issue 21994, 2 April 1935, Page 13

DEVOTION TO THRONE

N.Z. PARLIAMENT’S RESOLUTION KING’S SILVER JUBILEE [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, April 1. There was something or the inspiration of deeply rooted Empire sentiment in tho manner in which the House of Representatives passed its resolution of loyalty to the King on the silver jubilee of his accession to the Throne, on tho motion of the Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, seconded by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Savage. Tho House passed its resolution on the evo of the Prime Minister’s departure for London for the reason that it will not be in session during the period of the British celebrations. As soon as the motion had been formally carried, members rose spontaneously and sang the first verso of the National Authem. This is the first known instance when ‘ God Save tho King ’ has been sung by the members of a New Zealand Parliament during an actual sitting. It is, of course, traditional for the anthem to be sung at the end of each session of Parliament. New Zealand’s expression of loyalty and goodwill was couched in tbe following terms: —

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, humbly desire to be pex--mitted to convey our affectionate and respectful congratulations to your Majesty upon the silver jubilee of your Majesty’s accession to the throne. We affirm our warm and continued devotion to your Majesty, and pray that Divine Providence may long spare your Majesty and her Majesty the Queen to the peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations.