KING'S PORTRAIT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22165, 19 July 1935, Page 15

KING'S PORTRAIT

GIFT TO NEW ZEALAND new national gallery CEREMONY IN LONDON UNVEILING BY PRINCE ARTHUR [from our own correspondent] / By Air Mail LONDON, June 29 Tt was orginally intended that the portrait of the King, painted by Mr. John St. Helier Lander, and presented to New Zealand by Mr. T. B. Davis, should be hung permanently in New Zealand House, London. At the official unveiling it was stated that the portrait would ho sent to the new National Gallory in Wellington. The change of policy is a good one, for there is no room in New Zealand House in which it could he adequately hung, and it would be appreciated a great deal more in New Zealand, where tho people—especially the younger members of the community—have no opportunity of #eeing the King in real life.

The Duke of York, who was to have ■unveiled'the portrait, was obliged, under medical advice, to keep to his room owing to a temperature. Prince Arthur of Connaught, however, took the Duke's place at a few hours' notice. The portrait was hung temporarily in the entrance "hall of New Zealand House, and covered with a curtain of two Union Jacks. The Prince was received bv the High Commissioner (Sir James Parr), the Priihe Minister( Mr. Forbes) and Mr. Coates. High Commissioner's Remarks " We are met," said Sir James Parr, " for the purpose of enabling a very generous Englishman, Mr. T. B. Davis, to present to tho Dominion of New Zealand —and for the Prime Minister to accept on behalf of the Dominion—a very fine portrait of the King, which His Majesty himself considers quite g6od. Mr. Davis is a good Empire man, and thinks there is nothing in the world better than the British Empire. It is at great community of nations, based upon a common Kingship, and Mr. Davis is paying tribute to this conception of Kingship in presenting this fine picture to the Dominion of New Zealand."

Mr. Davis, said tho High Commisiioner, was a great yachtsman and had sailed the seven seas. New Zealand had the finest yachting grounds in the world, and if Mr. Davis would come to New Zealand they would undertake to give hipi a very wonderful time. In thanking Prince Arthur for unveiling the portrait, the High Commissioner said the Prince was entitled to the freedoru of New Zealand fishing waters, and he hoped he would visit the Dominion. Mr. Davis said there wan no place in the Empire which deserved this Royal portrait more than New Zealand. He hoped ,that the people of New Zealand would appreciate tho picture, and that as large a number as possible would have tho opportunity of seeing the portrait of their beloved King, which he said had been painted by a fellow-Jerseyman.

Thanks from Mr. Forbes Mr. Forbes said there was nothing the people of New Zealand would appreciate more than a' portrait of the King. Hn would have the ereatesit pleasure handing on the picture to the National Gallery in Wellington. He thanked Mr. Davis on behalf of the people of New Zealand. ~

Prince Arthur said that although ho ■was there to fill a Rap he had the greatest pleasure in doing something for the great little Dominion of New Zealand, and he came most willingly to meet again his old friend, Mr. Davis. He had heard a great deal from his cousins about the wonderful scenerv and fishing in New Zealand, and he hoped it would yet fall to his lot to go out to the most beautiful country iD the world. He now had pleasure in "doing his job."

Prince Arthur drew the curtains aside and revealed the fin© full-length portrait, representing His Majesty in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, wearing the mantle of the Garter. Those who saw the portrait for the first time were delighted with it, and there is no doubt that the artist, Mr. John St. Helier Lander, who was present, has produced a picture which will pleaso the New Zealand people. Invitation tci New Zealand Mr. Coates, in thanking Prince Arthur, said he agreed witli the Prime Minister that the Prince should visit the Dominion. He could catch sorno of the big fish and hear some of the big fish stories. He was sure the King's portrait would find a fitting resting place, and that His Majesty would feel the warmth of affection radiating from the people of New Zealand when they gazed upon the picture. It had a far-reaching function to perform. Prince Arthur, with an expression which seemed to imply that he was seriously considering the matter, said: "I hope some day I will come out and catch one of those fish, and I assure you 1 shall be able to tell some tall stories, too."

VISCOUNT BLEDISLOE ACTIVITIES IN ENGLAND TRIBUTES TO NEW ZEALAND [moil OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] By Air Mnil LONDON, June 29 As President-elect of the National Council of Social Service, Viscount Bledisloe presided at the annual meeting, accompanied by Viscountess Bledisloe. The ex-Governor-General said that there wero no slums in New Zealand and no marked gap between the social classes. The spirit of mutual helpfulness had been the chief factor there in combating destitution and despair.'He was pleased to see in the annual report the progress being made throughout England with the teaching of handicrafts. The unemployed suffered from a lack of adaptability and resourcefulness, and with the training provided by the handicraft clubs they would become more suitable for settlement in the Empire. A few days ago, at a dinner of the Royal Geographical Society at which the Duke of Kent spoke on the importance of aerial photography as a means of the collection of accurate knowledge of the earth's surface, Lord Bledisloe replied to the toast of "The Guests." He referred to the close of his tenure of office as Governor-General °f New Zealand and described that country as "the gem of the British Empire oversea." •The honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Ln-w was conferred on Lord •Bledisloe at the Encaenia at Oxford on June 27. In presenting Lord Bledistoe. the public orator, Dr. Cyril Bailey, paid a high tribute to the ex-uoverpor-Generall's services in New Zealand. Lord Bledisloe has taken the title of Viscount Bledisloe of Lydney in the County of Gloucester.