THE LATE KING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 25 January 1936, Page 6

THE LATE KING

FUNERAL ON TUESDAY PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE AT 11 a.m. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER (Bv Telegraph—Prer.a ahhim'lmmohi WELLINGTON, This Day. The following announcement relative to the procedure to be observed on Tuesday next, the day ot his late Majesty’s funeral, was issued by the Prime Minister (the Hon. M. J. Savage) yesterday afternoon: — “fn view of the wishes expressed by His Majesty King Edward VIII, and His Majesty’s Ministers in the United Kingdom, it is felt that it would not he appropriate to mark in New Zealand the occasion of the funeral of his late Majesty in any other way than by the observance of the two minutes’ silence suggested by His Majesty’s Ministers in the United Kingdom. “The day of the funeral of his late Majesty will accordingly be marked in New Zealand only by the observance of two minutes’ silence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday next, the 28th instant, and the public are requested to adopt this course. All requests for the suspension of business on that day are therefore cancelled, and Courts of Justice and Government offices will be open as usual.

“It is desired, however, that on Sunday next, the 26th instant, individual churohes should hold appropriate services as already requested in the Order in Council of the 21st instant.”

TWO MINUTES’ SILENCE NELSON The Mayor of Nelson (Mr G. L .Page) yesterday received a message from the Prime Minister announcing that in view of the expressed wish' of His /Majesty King Edward VIII., the day of the late King’s funeral on Tuesday would be marked in New Zealand by two minutes’ silence at 11 o’clock and that no suspension of business was desired by His Majesty. However it was thought that the people of NeU son would gladly have made some further sacrifice in order to show their loyalty to the Crown and their deep sorrow at the death of the King. As a result a meeting of the Council this morning decided to arrange a public gathering at the Church Steps on Tuesday morning for the obervance of the two minutes’ silence, followed by a short service of about half an; hour. It was thought by the Council that such a procedure would comply with His Majesty’s wishes, and at the same time give the people an opportunity to further show their loyalty and sorrow

The message from the Prime Minister did not preclude such an arrangement, but on the Mayor referring the matter to the Prime Minister later to-day for qualification, it was ascertained that no further observance beyond the two minutes’ silence mentioned b ytlie King was desired, an dso the arrangements for the service have now been cancelled. The Government has asked that memorial services be held in all churches tomorrow. MEMORIAL SERVICES SPECIAL CllUitCll SERVICES Special memorial services will be held in till (churches in the city and •district to-inorrow;