CHEERS FOR THE KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20272, 4 June 1929, Page 8

CHEERS FOR THE KING.

There was one moment m the King's Birthday proceedings at the Domain that mado the impressive naval and military parade doubly worth while. It was the moment when, at the call of the GovernorGeneral, the six thousand men on parade, together with the vast concourse of people gathered to view the display, gave cheers? for the King. It has often been said that British folk have forgotten fyow to cheer: certainly the fashion has changed since the time of the ringsing hurrahs recorded in much history of a century ago and earlier. Perhaps the displacement of hustings politics by the ballot has had something to do with the modern loss of abandon in this vocal exercise. But on occasion, as the war days proved, the old habit can be momentarily recovered, and yesterday provided an instance of this. There was nothing half-hearted about the response to His Excellency's call. No doubt circumstances conspired to encourage this old-time abandon. In the splendid spectacle itself, which was a credit to its organisers and to every unit on parade, was a prompting to enthusiasm; the very air seemed charged with the thrill that most folk sense and share whenever a massed parade of the kind is held. Yet this explanation is insufficient. At the heart of the enthusiasm, as many were moved to acknowledge, was a keen appreciation of the fact that a beloved monarch, known to be a loyal and diligent servant of the realm, has been near to death and is but partially restored to health. These eager cheers were no mere roistering outburst. They expressed an emotion in which gratitude and anxiety, respect and affection, were strangely blended. It has been noted of late that the singing of the National Anthem, even the playing of it, at all sorts of public gatherings, has been given a new and more reverent heed than was general before His Majesty's illness. The reason is as obvious as the fact: the familiar words and melody have become more intimately full of meaning. In the cheers on the parade ground and around it yesterday was the same deepened appreciation. Incongruous as the statement may appear, they had a waft of prayer in them. They will long echo as a heartfelt expression of pride in the King and desire for his welfare.