TWENTY YEARS OUR KING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 10

TWENTY YEARS OUR KING.

In tho completion of twenty years as sovereign, His Majesty King George is to-day tho recipient of heartfelt congratulations from the people of the vast British realm. They have been years of heavy responsibility. It will never bo forgotten that in the first decade of his reign there came the most colossal and crucial of international wars, a war in which thrones were shaken, some of them to ignominious ruin, but that his remained "broad-based upon the people's will." More than ever is he established in the love of tho nation, not because of any vague sentiment about the "divinity that doth hedge a king" but by reason of his attractive qualities of character and his faithfully diligent discharge of high duty. The years of war were redeemed by service such as his, unsparing of himself and evading no task imposed by exacting circumstance. In all things then he was an example and an inspiration. So, in the years since then, the years of strenuous and difficult peacemaking not yet wholly accomplished, he has been laboriously associated with every endeavour to build a new and better world on the ruins of the old. Within the realm he has exercised an increasing influence for amity and co-operation. To-day these things are recalled with unfeigned gratitude, and honour unbidden is given him. How deep and sure was the national love had pathetic proof when the shadow of death lay over Buckingham Palace for many wearying weeks. When his restorati' n to health was known to be possible, a renewed joy spread throughout the Empire, and as he came slowly back to strength this joy grew day by day with his progress. "the meaning of these national experiences of sorrow and joy can be easily read. They betoken a people's regard unexcelled in the annals of monarchy. To all the members of the Royal Family, known to be knit close by ties of affection, glad goodwill goes this day, but especially to him who knows so well the realm ho so loyally serves and in which he is so well known. Inwrought in this goodwill is a clear sense that the congratulating nation is itself to be congratulated on having had him for twenty years as King. Long may he reign!