ROYAL GRATITUDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22149, 1 July 1935, Page 12

ROYAL GRATITUDE

SPEECH BY KING REFERENCES TO HEALTH SERVICE OF OWN DOCTORS The King thnnkeil his doctors publicly when, accompanied by the Queen, he opened the new British Postgraduats Medical, bchool at Hammersmith. As His Majesty spoke those present inevitably thought of that December day in 1928 when the country first learned that the King's life was in danger. More especially, it was felt, he was speaking to Lord Dawson of Peim, his Physician-in-Ordinary, Lord Holder, and all those others in the audienco who by their medical skill had brc light him in health to enjoy his Silver Jubilee. "I am especially glad of this opportunity,' 1 the King stated, "to snow my gratitude for the skill and care which I and my family have received from numbers, of this profession, and not least from distinguished members of the governing body of this school." Durin ? his tour of the new radiological department of the associated hospital tlie King discussed with the radiologist, Dr. Duncan White, his personal experience when His Majestywas X-rnyed in France. t As Their Majesties left the Palace a great crowd gave them a hearty cheer. "Women waved handkerchiefs and rus'led forward, surrounding the King's :ar as it moved at walking pace. At ths gates of the Medical School Their Majesties were received by the Mayor of Hammersmith, and at the entrance of the building by the Earl of Athlone, as Chancellor of London University, and by Princess Alice, Countesi. of Athlone. Sir Austen Chamberlain, speaking as chairman of the governing body, stated tbat the three great objects of the school were to enable medical men in general practice to bring their knowledge up to date; to provide instruction for graduates desiring to pursue ipecial studies; and, of the greatest importance, to promote research and advance medical knowledge. The King said: "The provision within the University of London of a new conLre for clinical teaching marks a notable advance in the continuous effort oi the medical profession to increase ils capacity for service to mankind.

"You have reminded me that a foundation such as this was recommended by a committee presided over by Lord Athlone. A recommendation of the same committee resulted some years 35:0 in the creation, with generous assistance from tho Rockefeller Foundation, of the great London School of Hygiime and Tropical Medicine. "Lord Athlone must be gratified, as Chancellor of the University) to take part in the realisation of the last stage oi his far-reaching plan. It is my earnest hope that this school, with its happy union of ward and laboratory, university and local authority, drawing students and teachers from all parts of our Empire, may prosper."