EMPIRE'S PART

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 225, 22 August 1945, Page 5

EMPIRE'S PART

VICTORY IN PACIFIC. KING THANKS FOECES. (N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.) (Reo. 11.45 a.m.). LONDON, Aug. 21. King George went to the Palace of Westminster today to receive Parliament's congratulations on Japan's surrender and the overthrow of all the King's enemies. The ceremony took place in the Royal Gallery. Crowds from Buckingham Palace down the Birdcage Walk to Westminster gave the King a great reception. He drove with the Queen and the Princesses in a closed car. The ceremony was carried out with all the traditional pomp. The King, replying to the addresses, said the war against Japan had been fought far from the British Isles, but he was proud that the British people had contributed fully to the victory. They should pay a tribute to the Armed Forces, to whose courage, endurance and sacrifice their debt was immeasurable. The British Fleet, including

Canadian, Australian and New Zealand naval units, fought its way in comradeship with the American navy to the heart of the Japanese empire. The British East Indies Fleet had driven the enemy from the Indian Ocean and had powerfully supported the armies in Burma.

The British Commonwealth and Empire armies had steadfastly endured the dangers and hardships of tropical warfare, serving together in a spirit of brotherhood which would prevail through the years to come. He thought it proper particularly to pay a tribute to the forces from British India, and East and West Africa who, under conditions of almost unbearable severity, had liberated Burma in a brilliant campaign in which the medical and nursing services had added a glorious page to their splendid record throughout the war. The King said the R.A.F., with

the Dominion, Indian and A'licd air forces, had won historic victories. "Just as our hearts go out to those few whose spirit and achievement first sustained us in the Battle of Britain, so also we pay a tribute to those who with their power, grown to match their bravery, have taken their place in the last great offensive of the Allies," he said.

The perils of wartime oceans did not deter the Merchant Navy or the fishing fleets from carrying out their tasks, without which the military effort would have failed for lack of supplies and the people at home would have starved.

The King especially paid a tribute to British women in industry, ir. the Services and in the homes.

"I am especially glad to acknowledge the unfailing support in men, materials and food given during the war by all parts of my Commonwealth and Empire," he said. "They suffered and struggled with us, and with, us they share the joy of victory. We salute the great company of nations, large and small, who contributed to the limit of their power to the restoration of peace on earth." When the King concluded there was a rumble of applause, spontaneous in nature and exceptional at the conclusion of a Royal address. Then the Prime Minister (Mr Attlee) rose and called for three cheers for Their Majesties and the Princesses.