MESSAGE TO COMMONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 47, 24 January 1936, Page 9

MESSAGE TO COMMONS

FROM THE NEW KING. I* HIS FATHER’S EXAMPLE. HOUSE EXPRESSES SORROW. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received January 24, 11.45 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 23. In the House of Commons proceedings began by the Premier (Mr Baldwin) reading the following message from the King:— “Edward R. 1.: I am well assured that the House of Commons deeply mourns the death of my beloved father. He devoted a life of service to the people, unholding a constitutional Government. He was ever actuated by a profund sense of duty. I have resolved to follow the way lie has set before me.” Mr Baldwin, amid subdued cheers, moved the two motions, one conveying to the King the House’s deep sympathy in the grievous affliction of his late Majesty’s death and grateful remembrance of his unselfish public service for the welfare of the people, and further expressing to the King loyal devotion and tiie firm conviction that under Divine Providence he will throughout his reign promote happiness and protect the liberties of the people. The second motion was one of condolence with the Queen and assuring her that the House shares her sorrow in the irreparable loss which the nation has sustained, and that all the members will ever hold in their hearts towards Her Majesty the deepest feeling of reverence and affection. Mr Baldwin saiu the temporal powers of the Crown had diminished through the ages, yet to-day the spiritual powers of the Crown were not only far greater than ever, but greater than any man in his visions or dreams could have foreseen.

“It holds together the whole Empire of the English-speaking people. It is, I believe, an indissoluble link, which is due to the character of those who have held the Throne in the last hundred years—Queen Victoria, King Edward and King George,’' Mr Baldwin added. The leaders of ali tlie political parties spoke to the motions. Mr Baldwin recalled that it had been in Westminster Hall that the first Parliaments were held. Through the long centuries, until yesterday’s proclamation of King Edward VIII. the evolution of the Constitution had continued. There had been changes manifold in the usage of Parliament, changes in the nature of the Monarchy, but the changes had been accomplished for the most part peacefully and in accordance with the political tradition of the British race. The great achievement of last century, with its culmination perhaps in tho reign of King George V, was the coming to terms of democracy and of the Monarchy, and a system unique in the world was evolved which gave stability to the body politic. It was a system that most countries today would give all they had to possess. The King had communicated his personality by some indefinable and intangible wave of sympathy and understanding to every one of his subjects, not, only at home but throughout the world. THE PROCLAMATION. ' NONE AT DUBLIN. LONDON, Jan. 23. The Daily Telegraph’s Dublin correspondent says that King Edward was not proclaimed at Dublin'. It is understood that tlie Government’s view is that a formal proclamation was unnecessary as the Governor-General, on bis assumption of office, swore allegiance to “King George, his lieirs and successors.” As King George’s heir is now King it is considered that the original oath entirely meets the situation. Mr J. W. Dulanty, Free State High Commissioner in London, did not attend the Accession Council on January 21. The Daily Telegraph says that he communicated with Dublin before the council met and received certain instructions. An official of the High Commissioner’s office explained: “Mr Dulanty takes his orders from Dublin.” ACROSS CANADA. OTTAWA. Jan. 22. Guns at saluting posts in 15 Canadian cities saluted the new King at noon to-day. Flags, which had been flown at half-mast since Monday, were raised to the mast-head till sundown in honour of the accession. High officials throughout the nation swore allegiance to the new Sovereign. The accession m's announced in a sper cial issue of the Canadian Gazette. The British practice of reading the proclamations in public was not adopted in Canada. “BEYOND THE SEAS.” KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. 22. The British West Indies to-day celebrated the accession of King Edward VIII. At Kingston the Governor proclaimed the new King in front of the Victoria statue in the city’s principal square before members of tlie Privy Council and the populace. Similarly, at Nassau, the Governor proclaimed the new Monarch from the balcony of the Legislative Council building, and the Legislature met in special session to swear allegiance to King Edward. In Bermuda the Legislative Council also took the oath of allegiance 'and the accession was proclaimed’ at an impressive military ceremony with a 21gun. salute and the firing of a feu de joie. SAMOAN CEREMONY. APIA, Jan. 23. The proclamation ceremony was held in the Administration buildings at 11 a.m. to-day. The Acting-Administrator (Mr A. C. Turnbull) read tlie proclamation. Then the National Anthem was played followed by a salute of 21 guns. Ex-servicemen and tlie Samoan Police Force paraded. There was a large attendance of ’ Europeans and Samoans, including Hons. Smytli, Carruthers and Maleitoa, 0.8. E., all Government officials, and a very representative gathering of business men, clergy, citizens 'and also ladies. The weather was ideal and the ceremony was enjoyed by all. FEDERAL CEREMONIAL. MELBOURNE, Jan. 23. Lord Gowrie, formerly Sir Alexander Hore-Ruthven, was sworn in as Governor-General of the Commonwealth with brief ceremonial in the Legislative Council Chambers. A sombre atmosphere of mourning dominated the proceedings. Only, a few members of the public witnessed Lord Gowrie’s arrival at Parliament House, and inside the benches set aside for spectators were empty.