TRIBUTES AT WELLINGTON

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 May 1935, Page 8

TRIBUTES AT WELLINGTON

Service Held at Parliament Buildings MESSAGE TO THE KING EXPRESSIONS OF LOYALTY (By Telsgrapta—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, To-day. The Governor-General, in his address at Parliament Buildings in connection with the jubilee celebrations, recalled the passing of King Edward and the wave of depression that followed the death of the Peacemaker. The rock of the present King’s strength was his determination to act strictly as a constitutional -monarch. Tile strength of His Majesty’s power had increased every year, because of an undeviating adherence to this principle. Lord Galway also referred to the King’s illness and recovery, and his subsequent bringing of the British political parties together in a critical period and the formation of the National Government. He paid > a tribute to the Queen’s work for the women of Europe, and .said the nation owed- tjki Queen-a debt that could never be repaid. . The Hon. E. A. Ransom said it was his priivlege to express on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand our heartfelt congratulations to the King on this twenty-fifth anniversary of accession to the throne. They met there in the capital city of the Dominion, formally ijto mark sense of thanksgiving and rejoicing at an official gathering honoured by the presence of the Governor-General and Lady Galway, but from one end of New Zealand to trie other similar gatherings to-day were being held, and all he knew would be marked by the same spontaneous enthusiasm and warm affection for His Majesty, and earnest thankfulness to Almighty God that, for a quarter of a- century, we had been able to enjoy the inestimable benefits of His Majesty’s rule. The great Maori race joined with its European brothers, and citizens of all shades of opinion forgot their differences in one common feeling to respectful affection and universal rejoicing. Mr Ransom went on to stress the benefits accruing to the peoples < f the British Empire under the constitutional monarchy, and emphasised that the King and Queen were to-day an example to all right thinking people, their lives being throughout marked by devotion to duty, simplicity, [ quiet thoroughness and intense human I understanding and sympathy.

The service at Parliament House steps commenced with the “Old Hundredth.” There were two Scripture readings, one by Rabbie Katz and the other by the Rev. Boulton Smith, with prayer by the Rev. Wilkinson in between addresses, followed by the Governor-General, the acting-Prime Minister and the Mayor of Wellington. A prayer and Benediction by the Bishop of Wellington was followed by the National Anthem, after which there was a march past of troops, the Governor-General taking the salute from the steps. The following is the text of a telegram sent by the Governor-General to the King:

The Government and people of Your Majesty’s Dominion of New Zealand respectfully offer their homage and congratulations on the twenty-fifth anniversary of your accession to the throne. Throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion this happy occasion is being signalised! by all classes, including the whole of the Maori race, by enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalty and rejoicing, and in a spirit of deep thankfulness It is the fervent prayer of the Dominion that Your Majesties may long be spared by Divine providence to guide the destinies of the Empire.”

GATHERING AT PALMERSTON

PALMERSTON N., To-day. Bleak weather is being experienced for the Jubilee celebrations here, but it did not deter a large crowd from attending at a gathering in the forenoon in the Square at which a loyal address was delivered by the Mayor. In the afternoon there will be a decorated procession and tableaux to the showgrounds, where band displays and children's performances will be featured. Italian Press Comment i Received 2 p.m. to-day. ROME, May 5. “England realised to-day that the modest silent monarch who was considered a perfect gentleman was also a great king,” says the ‘fTurin Stampa,” which is typical of the Italian Press comments. A weekly review declares- that, the new relations between England and the Dominions have immensely increased the Crown’s importance. “The great Anglo-Saxon family scattered. throughout the Empire will to-day celebrate not only a jubilee, but also a jealous guardianship of its autonomies and the supreme reason of its unity.” King George is the greatest figure in the past quarter of a century, according to the newspaper “Vreme,” states a message from Belgrade. It adds that the whole of Jugoslavia wishes long life to a great king, wlion\ it reveres.