"I THANK YOU”

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 30 January 1936, Page 7

"I THANK YOU”

QUEEN MARY’S MESSAGE TO NATION DEEPEST GRATITUDE EXPRESSED FOR WONDERFUL LOVE AND SYMPATHY (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 30th January, 12.10 p.m.) LONDON, 28th January. “With all my heart I say, 'Thank you,’ ” said Queen Mary in a message to the’nation, the text of which is: “I must send to you, the people of this nation and Empire, a message of my deepest gratitude for all the sym= pathy with which at their time of sorrow you have surrounded me. It is indeed a gratitude so deep that I cannot find words to express it, but simplest words are the best. I can enly say with all my heart ‘I thank youj “In my own great sorrow I have been held up not only by the strength of your sympathy, but also by the knowledge that you have shared my grief. For I have been deeply moved by the signs, so full and touching, that the passing of my dear husband has brought a real sense of personal sorrow to all his sub= jects. “In the midst *f my grief I rejoice to think that after lis reign of twenty-live years he lived to know he had received the reward in tie overflowing message of loyalty and love of his people. “Although he will no longer be at my side (and no w*rds can tell how I shall miss him), I tiust, with God’s help, I may still be atle to continue some part at least of tht service which for 42 years of happ» married life we tried to give to this great land and Empire. “During tie coming years with all the change/ they must bring, you will, I know, let' me have a place in your thoughts md prayers. “I comiend to you my dear son as he enters upn his reign in the confident hope yoHiviil give him the same devotion and loyaty you gave so abundantly to his fathei'

“God dess you, dear people, for all the won.erful love and sympathy with which yu have sustained me.—MARY.”

FIVERAL CEREMONIES

THANTS TO FIGHTING SERVICES MESAGE FROM HIS MAJESTY (Reeived 30th January, 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, 29th January. Th King sent a message to the fightig services expressing thanks and satisaction at the part played in the funeal procession. Te- War Office has been informed thahis Majesty was much gratified by thebearing and steadiness under arms of 11 troops. he First Lord of the Admiralty, Lfd Eyres-Monsell, sent a. message to tlf Navy: ‘The King has commanded me to exjess profound satisfaction that the fivy was so fully represented at the >neral. He noted with pride and grafication the fine bearing of all those n duty, and feels it particularly fitting .hat die gun-carriage was drawn by nen from the services in which his father spent so many years of his life.” The King similarly congratulated all ranks of the Air Force on their excellent appearance and bearing.

FOREIGN VISITORS IMPRESSED

All foreign visitors agree in applying superlatives to yesterday’s ceremonies. Those, who, like the French, have frequent opportunities of witnessing British ceremonial, agree that Britain is unequalled for' pageantry, whether sad or joyful, and declare that nowhere else, save perhaps in Japan, are the national emotions of an entire people transmuted into symbolism so perfect in dignity, taste, impressiveness, and sincerity! French observers are also frankly envious of the good behaviour of the London crowds. The mere presence ox large masses of people in Paris is so dangerous that the city is. transformed into an armed camp. The unity ot the British people undoubtedly impressed France and has drawn her closer in affection to England. It is not so easy to fathom Geiman opinion. Nazi pageantry is more harsh, more militaristic, and expresses a will to power which is alien to the spirit of the British people, and the essentially civilian character of yesterday’s ceremonies puzzles the Germans. The Russians who. always loved pageantry of which they are still masters, were deeply impressed' and marvel that such enormous crowds could stand for hours in drenching rains without compulsion but out of devotion to a monarch. FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Soviet delegates, whose doctrines associate monarchy with oppi’ession, admit they received food for thought in a King who embodied all the grandeur of imperial pover yet generally was regarded as the father of a vast family, sincerely beloved by all his subjects. The fact that dock workers who are “proletariat par excellence” freely sacrificed a day's pay to enable the closing of the docks oil the day of the funeral especally impressed some Russians. The ‘Taily Chronicle” hopes the presence of jhe leader of so many nations marching side by side and joined by common bonds of respect for a dead monarch will help the cause of peace. It point out that near M. 1. itvinoff marchec Herr von Neurath, representing biterly anti-socialist and Nazis. Other aitagonists similarly walked in friendslip. MPRESSIVE TOUCH OF ” SIMPLICITY An impressive touch of simplicity crowied the pageantry of the funeral. A Cour Circular issued from Buckingham Palae contained five typewritten lines : “lie funeral of his late Majesty King Gecge V. took place to=day at St. Geoge’s Chapel, Windsor. The King, Quen, and the Royal Family, together wit sovereigns, heads of slates, and iorign representatives were present.

EFORMOUS RAILWAY TRAFFIC

200,000 PASSENGERS CONVEYED

(Received 30th January 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, 29th January. The Transport Board’s railway serices conveyed 2,000,000 passengers to ,nd from the Royal funeral, equalling silver Jubilee day, hut under much more severe pressure as the latter extended over 18 hours,, and the people were more widely dispersed. Nine hours’ traffic underground on 28th inst. equalled nineteen of a normal day. Hammersmith station handled 120,000,

and other from 46,000 (o 100,000. Two hundred and six trains aggregating 8316 ears traversed Charing Cross hourly era tliree through lines. The density of passenger?, was three times that of normal. POLICE HANDLING OF CROWDS TEMPTATION TO CRITICISE LONDON, 28th January. There is a general temptation to criticise the police handling of the crowds. The resentment rose to hooting of high police officers whose orders resulted in the placing of new arrivals at Hyde Park in front of those already m position, but later criticisms were tempered by the consideration that the crowd of people was unparalleled m London s experience and upset all calculations based on the Jubilee period. . The city showed signs of a revival of lively spirit at night time,, crowds visitin'* the reopened cinemas m oixter to witness scenes oUthe procession. QUEEN MARY STRAIN OF THE CEREMONIES BORNE WITHOUT ILL-EFFECT (Received 30th January, 12.3 p.m.) K RUGBY, 29tli January. Queen Marv passed a quiet day at i • rriitti Palace. Those who inmdrtd were informed that Her Majesty h i borne the strain of yesterday’s ceremonies without ill-effect and with the “ame courage she displayed ever since King George’s death. back to normal life removing mourning STANDARDS litter in the west end (Received 30th January, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, 29th January. After what “The Times” describes as. %ht davs’ respite from ruthless routine, in'which all activities were slowed up, enabling the nation to look back over the years when King George was its supreme head and guardian, Britain returned to-day to normal life, and London resumed a workaday appearance. Hundreds of workmen removed mourning standards from the streets, and the. catafalque was removed from Westminster Hall. The clearing of litter the vast multitude left in the West End presented an all-night task; while Post Office engineers are still engaged dismantling special broadcast material. the late Jung GEORGE MODEL CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCH SIR JOHN SIMON’S TRIBUTE (British Official Wireless) (Received 30th January, 12.3 p.m.) RUGBY, 29th January. A tribute to the late King George V by Sir John Simon, Home Secretary, was broadcast last night by the State wireless system in France. In the course of his address Sir John Simon said: “In private life he w*as. a model of personal conduct just as in public he was a model constitutional monarch. In vears gone by the Kings of England exercised greater personal power. Today when the British Crown has adapted itself completely to the growth of democratic government this power has disappeared, for a King always acta on the advice of his Ministers, who themselves are responsible to Parliament. But the King has won back in influence all and more than he lost in power. One of our writers aptly remarked that the King of England in his relations with Ms Ministers has kept three rights —to be informed, to advise, and to warn. On the other hand the right to veto lapsed completely. The British monarchy never opposes evolution of constitutional practice. On the contrary it accepts it and does all it can to further it. The British people are deeply imbued with tradition, and the democratic spirit sees in the Throne a stability and force which is in complete harmony with the need for rapid and profound change. That system is on? which suits the British people perfectly, because of its special character, but it is essentially a British product.” THE KING ATTTHE PALACE LETTERS OF THANKS FOR SERVICES LONDON, 28th January. On their return to Paddington on the Royal train, King Edward and Queen Mary went to Buckingham Palace, their car being driven slowly from the station amid silent crowds, whose enthusiasm broke control when the liing left for St. James’s Palace at 3.50 p.m. People rushed behind the car, waving hats and women tried to throw bunches of violets through the windows. . The King later returned to Buckingham Palace and dined with the Queen, but only two girls, who had waited tor an hour in the rain, witnessed Ins entrance through the gates. One of the .ICing’s earliest act>on, was to send letters of thanks for services at the funeral to the Navy, Army, Air Force, police, unci ambulance workers. FOREIGN ROYALTIES FARE WELLED AT STATIONS LONDON, 28th January. Palace officials are busy arranging the departure of foreign royalties and other distinguished visitors, some of whom are remaining in London tor ■several days. r , One of the first to depart was Presiden Le Brim, of France, who was farewelled at Victoria Station by the Duke of Kent in the presence of a large gathering from the French Embassy. “ Kino- Leopold of Belgium and Prince Felix C of Luxembourg departed half an hour later. The Dutch delegation departed from Liverpool Street. Station. Prince Axel of Denmark departed by air from Croydon. The Duke of York farewelled the Crown Prince of Italy, who held an informal reception of the Italian colony on the platform station. The Duke shook hands with the Prince warmly as the train was leaving. The Duke of Gloucester farewelled the King of Belgium and the Prince of Luxembourg. MEMORIAL SERVICES IN AMERICA IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES BRITISH BUSINESS HOUSES CLOSE NEW YORK, 28th January. Memorial services for King George were held in several churches where there were particularly impressive ceremonies. The tolling of bells, the clos-

ing of British business houses and the postponement of the opening of the Stock Exchange and other business exchanges marked the observance of the funeral of King George. The British community, led by the Consul-General, Sir Gerald Campbell, and including Mr C. M. Dow, Australia, and representatives of other Dominions, attended services at the cathedral ,of St. John the Divine.

Memorial services were also held in Washington Cathedral. Mrs Roosevelt was escorted by Sir Ronald Lindsay, British Ambassador, into the church, they being followed by Lady Lindsay, members of the Embassy staff, the Vice-President, Mr J. N. Garner, and Mrs Garner, several members of the Supreme Court and other officials and the Diplomatic Corps.

OBSERVANCE IN SAMOA

MEMORIAL SERVICES LARGELY ATTENDED APIA, GBth January. During the week-end largely-attended memorial services were held in all the churches, including the native, mission churches. The' Acting Administrator and Mrs Turnbull attended, also members of the' Legislative Cbuncil and their wives. Tuesday was overcast, with occasional heavy showers. At 11 a.m., at the draped clock towei-, there assembled 400 Europeans and 1500 Samoans. Included were ex-servicemen, the Roman Catholic Bishop and priests, and ministers of all the other denominations. There was a full brass band. The Acting-Admin-istrator made a suitable speech, and was followed by Malieloa, 0.8. E. All members of the Legislative Council and Faipules were present. The two minutes’ silence was observed and the Dead March, Last Post, and National Anthem were played. . The church bells tolled 70 at minute intervals, and there was also a gun salute of 70 at sunset. All Samoans were invited to attend, including the Mau, who declined and held a separate Mau service at Vaimoso conducted by Faumuina, supported by Tamasese, Tagaloa, Tuisala, and 14 lesser chiefs. The total Samoans present numbered 60. The opening speech by Faumuina was followtd by a hymn and prayer by Pastor lakopo. Another speech by Faumuina was as follows: “To-day at 11 a.m. the funeral of his Majesty the King is observed by all the people of the world, therefore it is now also observed by the mig majority of the dissatisfied section of Samoa against the control of the Government of New Zealand. You must he film and he brave and not be weakened. We hope the Lord will bless our new King Edward the Eighth.” Prayer followed and then “God Save the King” was sung by those present, followed by the Nazi salute.

MESSAGE REPLIED TO fJBy Telegraph—Press Association) DUNEDIN, 2911) January. Lady Sidey, acting Dominion president of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children, has received from the acting official secretary to his Excellency the Gover-nor-General the following reply to a message of condolence forwarded by her:—-“I am desired by the GovernorGeneral as his Majesty’s representative in New Zealand to express his deep appreieaticn of the loyal message of sympathy sent by vou in connection with the death of his Majesty King George V. His Excellency wishes me to add that he is arranging for the text of the message to be communicated to her Majesty the Queen.”