KING'S SILVER JUBILEE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21899, 7 September 1934, Page 14

KING'S SILVER JUBILEE

NEXT YEAR'S CELEBRATION SOME SUGGESTED EVENTS POSSIBLE NEW COINS [from our own correspondent] LONDON, August 4 A name often hap an influence on the person to whom it is applied—good or bad, as the case may be. This psychological influence has doubtless been borne in mind by those responsible for arranging the celebrations next year in connection with the 2oth anniversary of the King's accession to the Throne. On May 6, 1935, there will open the "Silver Jubilee" year, and the mere fact that a name has been applied to it may have an influence on the industrial activities of the Empire during that year. Already people are beginning to ask themselves what special plans they can make to enlarge and stimulate their particular activities, and, naturally, their minds run to greater profit. Although London chiefly will benefit by the greater number of visitors and by the preparations 1 for the period of the celebrations, the concentration on an event of this kind is expected to have a stimulating effect on the country generally, and, incidentally, on the Empire at large. The King has entered into the spirit of the suggestions. While he himsolf will be the active and central figure of the momentous events in London, he desires that his people in all parts of tho Empire should celebrate the event in their own way near their own homes. But he desires that arrangements should be simple and with no undue expense. Informal Imperial Conference The four great Dominions have sent warm replies to the invitation to be present, and even if the Prime Ministers themselves of these Dominions are not able in all cases to be in London, doubtless they will be represented by a responsible Minister. Among the functions that are reported as being planned are a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, a State Ball, and official deputations from various bodies to be received by the King at Buckingham Palace. The representatives of the Dominions will, therefore, have responsible duties to perform. In addition, Mr. Baldwin has announced an informal Imperial Conference —that is "opportunity will be taken to discuss informally any questions of political importance outstanding." The Irish Free State will not b« represented either in the celebrations or at these informal Imperial conferences. Mr. Do Valera has intimated that in existing circumstances it will not be possible for the Irish Free State Government to send a representative. This attitude on the part of the President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State may be regretted, but it has occasioned little surprise. Silver Jubilee Coinage A special issue of coin of the realm is under discussion as a means of commemorating the Silver Jubilee. A new issue at any other time than accession to the Throne is an event of extreme rarity. It is widely felt, however, that it might be a suitable means of signalising what will be only the fourth occasion since the Revolution that a monarch has reigned for 25 years and the first occasion for which large scale celebrations have been planned. There havo been only three issues of coinage apart from coronation issues during the last century. A special issue commemorated the Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887, depicting the Queen for the first time as an ageing woman. Ten years later this issue was replaced by what is known as the Diamond Jubilee issue. There was a new issue of George V. silver coinage a few years ago. It coincided with the i" troduction of a new alloy. The same dies, however, are used for bronze coinage as were used at the time of His Majesty's accession.