KING’S SPEECHES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1936, Page 9

KING’S SPEECHES

LOVE FOR EMPIRE. WORLD PEACE IDEALS. ' King George’s speeches revealed predominantly his love for the Empire, 1 his close and sympathetic regard for the well-being of its peoples, and his passionate attachment to the ideals of world peace. Striking passages from His Majesty’s public addresses and appreciations are: “The high ideal of universal peace and brotherhood may be' far from realisation, but every act that promotes

harmony among the nations points the way towards its attainment.” — From a speech delivered in 1908. “We rejoice to feel that we are United with the people of the whole Empire in their ideals and aspirations, in their joys and sorrows, determined to secure./Such a peace as will save the generations to come from sufferings, horrors, and desolation inflicted upon the world during the past four years.”—Acknowledging the City of London Corporation’s address on the J -'nty-fiftb _ niyersary in 1918, of ir Majes. .-s’ wedding.

“lf it may be regarded as, in some true sense, the head of this great and widespread family (the British Empire), sharing its life, and sustained by its affection, this will be a full reward for the long and sometimes

anxious labours of my reign of wellnigh five-aiid-twenfey years."• —Dec. 24, 1934. “Public school life develops, in many ways that characteristic which conduces to national greatness. From it we learn discipline, whether in the classroom or in the playing field. . . . Be loyal to your parents, v.our country, your King, and your God.” — Addressing the boys of Scotch College, Melbourne, in 1901, “Who can reflect without awe that the will and power of men, which, in 1 our time, have created the noble i bridges of the Thames, the Forth, the : Hudson, and Sydney Harbour, can drive, also, tunnels such as this, under with many streams of wheeled traffic may run in light and safety below i the depth and turbulence of tidal • water bearing the ships of the world?” ;—At the opening of the Mersey Tun-

nel in 1934. “Under the good. guidance of the Ruler of all men, I will maintain, upon the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace, the great heritage of the united British Empire.”—On his accession. FOUNDATION OF GREATNESS. “The foundations of national glory are set in the homes of the people. They will only remain unshaken while the family life of our race and nation is strong, simple and pure.”—On his accession.

“The British Empire requires at the present time hard service from all its sons. It requires tlie hardest service from those to whom most has been given.”—From a speech in 1911. “This glorious and memorable

achievement, coming like a broad light in the darkness, gave necij. .o - -e whole Engiish-speaKiKg people uie right and the power to search lor themselves for tlie truths and the consolation of our faith.”—Commemoration of the tercentenary of the Authorised Aversion of the Bible. “It was a wise and far-seeing policy. . . .to place within easy reach of all the means of acquiring that higher education and culture which universities alone can furnish.”—An address in Canada. •"“Nothing is so essential to the advancement of a people as adequate provision for the training which will keep the coming generation abreast of the march of intellectual progress and scientific knowledge.”—On leaving Canada, on his Imperial tom: CLARION CALL TO ENGL ANO “I venture to allude to the impres-

sion, which seemed generally to prevail. across the seas, that the Old Country must wake up if she intends to maintain her old position of preeminence in her colonial trade against foreign countries.” —At the Guildhall, on his return to Loudon from his Empire tour. “No one could fail to be struck with one all-prevailing and pressing demand —the want of population. . . . One condition, and one only, is made by our colonial brethren, and that is, ‘Send us suitable emigrants.’ I appeal to my fellow-countrymen at home to prove the strength of the attachment of the Motherhood to her children by sending to them only of her best.” —At the Guildhall.