THE CORONATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3294, 12 August 1911, Page 9

THE CORONATION.

THROUGH COLONIAL EYES

IMPRESSIONS OF SIR JOSEPH

WARD.

'' I hav© seen great popular demonstrations in other countries, and I remember well the visit of the Dominion representatives to the Guildhall four years ago, but never have I witnessed spything to compare with the demonsij|'ation of Friday. In every wav it was splendid. We must have passed through millions of people, and wherever we went we saw evidence of the keenest appreciation. The crowds were not too serious; they were goodnatured and intent on giving not only to their Majesties but also to their guests a really hearty welcome. We are often told that the British have forgotten how to cheer. That is a slander. No one, I am sure, has ever listened to cheers that were more hearty or more sustained. It is true that in the West End the people were less demonstrative than in the east and in the south, but. having regard to the difference in the class of population this was not astonishing. South of the Thames the enthusiasm was extraordinary. A TOWN OF MANY CITIES. One thing especially struck me as 1 watched the people—their earnest desire to identify the most prominent members of the procession. Nearly everybody had a newspaper and consulted the programme. When they managed to find the names they immediately devoted their energies to cheering. In the east and also in the south I was strangely impressed by the sight of so many mothers with infants in their arms. No doubt the children would not have been there if the parents had been able to leave them 1 in charge of someone at home. When one remembers that many of these mothers had to walk considerable distances and to stand in a crowd for three and a half hours one must be amazed at their endurance. Only a woman could carry such a burden and not complain. No man, I am convinced, would be capable of the task and tlie sacrifice. This is one of the things we do not understand and do not often appreciate. The journey was a revelation to many of us. We all know that London, with its seven and a half million population, is the greatest city in the world. But until yesterday we did not realise that London is composed of many and varied cities. The Avest and the east, the south and the north—all have distinct features both in their general aspects and also in the appearance of their inhabitants. While the j general condition and physique of the people are admirable, it Avas impossible to shut our eyes to the existence of i manv Avhose physical condition leaves much to be desired. Confine: from New . Zealand and knoAving something of the ] British Dominions that require men and women for their development, 1 , could not help thinking Avhat might be i done by transplanting some of these i people when young and capable of improvement.

THE PEOPLE AND THEIR POLITE POLICE.

The children Avere everywhere, aua seemed not merely to enjoy the spectacle, but to take an eager interest m the distinguished members of the procession. Their shrill little cheers gave an emotional note to the demonstration. They appeared, to be greatly impressed by the military part of the pageant. And well they might, for it was certainly a remarkable display of Imperial military power. The presence of so many young children in these great crowds was a- tribute to the organisation and the control of a demonstration that coA'ered so great an area. Tire orderliness of the people and their readiness to assist the authorities were alike astonishing. In no other country have the police feAver difficulties AA'ith the populace. Their control is nothing short of marvellous. I saw one convincing example. At one part of the route about two thousand people were pressing forward 1 into the line. Tavo mounted policemen rode up, and Avithout raising their voices asked the throng to move back.. Instantly they moved. In any other city the people Avould have murmured and demanded a reason. Here there was no question. Only instant obedience, and that too. from an evident desire to assist the police. I suppose this l'eady obedience comes fi'om their experience in the management of the vast traffic of the capital, where movement Avould be dangerous and often impossible if the people did not obey orders. Nothing is too troublesome for your_ police. Their pafcien'ce is inexhaustible and their politeness is proA-erbial. _ And the people recognise and appreciate these qualities, so that there is never anv conflict of authority. There was not a single yard along this long route in which the arrangements Avere not perfect. Procession and spectators neA’er mingled or trenched on each other’s sphere. There was not the least sign of confusion from the time aa*c started until we returned, and yet there was never any attempt to prevent the people from seeing everything that was to be seen. I have neA r er seen anything on the same great scale or anything so Avell organised and carried out from beginning to end. IMPRESSIVE SPECTATORS.

Our carriage, I believe, was responsible for the -only pause in the progress. Soon after we started —Genera! Botha and Mrs Botha and Lady Ward and myself—one of the traces of out carriage broke. We were compelled to stop and to leave the procession. But the mews were within ten minutes' drive and as soon as we could get another horse we rejoined the _ procession within half an hour and without any difficulty. If I might sumi up my impressions, they arei thfcse. Every visitor from the Dominions was .greatly impressed by the multitude of the spectators, by their manifest appreciation of the significance of the demonstration, by the marvellous organisation and the ready obedience, by the vaetnese and the variety of London, and by the affectionate enthusiasm with which the King and Queen and. the members of the Royal Family were received • verywhere by all classes of the people. It was a great demonstration worthy of the race and of the Empire. We shall return to our distant homes strengthened by the knowledge that we belong to a. living Empire. I often wonder whether the people of the United Kingdom realise how keen is the interest, taken in the Dominions in everything that 'concerns the welfare of the British Empire. Wc in New Zealand are Imperialists to a man and woman. In my experience as a member of the Government of New Zealand I have always found dhat nothing appeals more strongly to the people of that country than the Question of E'mpire. We desire above all things co-oncration among the different parts of the Empire. These visits, whether

to conferences or to pageants, serve a most useful purpose. FATHER AND SON.

I must say a word' or two about the Coronation service in the Abbey. The solemnity and 5 magnificence of the ceremony have left on me an undying impression. It avos difficult perhaps to understand the reason for some survivals, such as the oblations. But in the British race there is a strong conservatism in such matters. Every part of the ceremony has its root and its significance in the past, and serves its purpose in_ keeping alive traditions ana in preserving that continuity AA r hich is an element of nature ivihetlior in men or in Constitutions.

One incident was distinctly pathetic and most moving to every spectator. When the young Prince of Wales knelt to make obeisance to the King, his father, one could not help remembering hoAV short is the period since the King himself Avas in this same position as his son. It Avas a most touching incident of the great solemnity—the kiss that followed upon the obeisauce and the oath of fealty.