Alberta’s Social Credit Premier Welcomes the King

Northern Advocate, 3 June 1939, Page 7

Alberta’s Social Credit Premier Welcomes the King

(Received 3 p.m.) EDMONTON (Alberta), June 2. THE PREMIER, MR WILLIAM ABERHART, WHO, A FEW MONTHS AGO, CLOSED GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND FORCED THE KING’S REPRESENTATIVE, LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR J. C. BOWEN, TO MOVE TO A HOTEL, TODAY WELCOMED THEIR MAJESTIES TO THE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD’S ONLY SOCIAL CREDIT 'GOVERNMENT.

Standing on the stops of his Legislature, he assured the King of “the sincere and enduring loyalty of the people of this province to your Royal Throne and to your most excellent person.”

Mr Aberhart’s only reference to the 25 dollars a month plan which he has tried vainly to institute during the four years of his office, was: “The people of Alberta trust, under the guidance of Providence, that they may continue along the path of social, economic and national progress.” The King replied; “I feel assured that, blessed as they are with rich, fertile soil and an enterprising and courageous spirit, the people will continue to overcome their many difficulties.” Money-Making Move. The Government provided a novel welcome for Their Majesties by lining both sides of a straight stretch of road with six-tier temporary stands, seating GB.OOO. These were packed, and Their Majesties drove down a narrow avenue to a deafening roar of applause. The Government charged a dollar a seat, and, as the stands completely blocked the pavements, those who wished to view the Royal progress were left no choice. This fact was noted by critics of the Government. Mr 'Aberhart aroused a storm in Edmonton by bringing his nine-year-old granddaughter from Vancouver to present the Government bouquet to the Queen. Public protest was so strong that at the last moment she was replaced by a child from a local orphanage.