THE NEW YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22616, 2 January 1937, Page 9

THE NEW YEAR

KING'S FIRST IN HISTORY HIS MAJESTY'S YOW SERVICE TO EMPIRE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 1, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 31 The following message from His Majesty King George VI., to the peoples of the British Empire was issued to-day from Buckingham Palace On this the first New Year's Day of my reign I send to all the peoples o{ the Empire my warmest wishes for their welfare and happiness. In succeeding to the Throne I follow a father who won for himself an abiding place in the hearts of his peoples, and a brother whose brilliant qualities gave promise of another historic reign—a reign cut short in circumstances on which from their very sadness none of uswould wish to dwell. I realise to the full the responsibilities of my noble heritage, and I shoulder them with all the more confidence in the knowledge that the Queen and my mother Queen Mary are at my side. Throughout my life it will be my constant endeavour to strengthen that foundation of mutual trust and affection on which the relations between the Spvereign and the peoples of the British Empire so happily rest. I ask your help toward the fulfilment of this purpose, and know I do not ask in vain. To repeat the words used by my dear father at the time of his Silver Jubilee—my wife and I dedicate ourselves for all time to your service, and we pray that God may give us guidance and strength to follow the path that lies before us. The Daily Mail points out that it is the first time in history that a British King has issued a New Year message to his peoples. His Majesty's message was broadcast immediately after Big Ben had chimed the hour of midnight. This was followed by the strains of "God Save the King."

MESSAGE OF GOODWILL BROADCAST TO DOMINION AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER (Received January 1, 5.5 p.m.) CANBERRA. Jan. 1 The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. J. A. Lyons, in a broadcast this evening to New Zealand, said: "The future of the two countries is bound together by tics which we cannot undo—ties of mutual interest. The frontier dividing the two countries is the broad Tasman Sea, a frontier of friendship. I speak to a people who honour and love the samo King and whoso ancestors came from the same place as oiirs. "I send a message of goodwill to New Zealand and may our blood relations across the Tasman enjoy the best of | good fortune in the coming year." LONDON MERRYMAKERS THRONGS IN THE WEST END DANCING IN PICCADILLY (Received January 1, 7.40 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1 St. Paul's Cathedral was floodlit for New Year's Eve and illuminated Christmas trees stood in the porch. The assembly in the neighbourhood was, however, smaller than usual and dispersed within half an hour. Merrymakers in the West End, wearing paper hats and carrying balloons, were in greater numbers than ever before. Large throngs linked hands and danced round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus, singing "Auld Lang Syne." , CHELSEA ARTS BALL TURBULENT SCENES TEN THOUSAND PRESENT . ,j (Received January 1, S p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 1 This year's theme for the Chelsea Arts Ball, "The Naked Truth," was illustrated by a huge statue of a nudo woman rising from the band of the sculptor, who was Mr. William McMillan, R.A. This stood in the centre of the hall. Mr. T. C. Dugdale, A.R.A., executed the backcloth. The procession from the arts schools evoked the usual turbulent scenes. The Chelsea Arts Club illustrated: "What 1 is Truth? The Boyal Academy is the Source of Truth." Seven thousand persons paid from 0110 to five guineas, and 3000 paid five shillings to view the ball from the gallery. REVELRY IN NEW YORK TWO MILLION POUNDS SPENT PRE-DEPRESSION BUSINESS (Received January 1, 8 p.m.) NEW YOKK, Jan. 1 Now York celebrated New Year's Eve in the old champagne way of 1929, and it is estimated that the entertainment costs for tlio night totalled £2,000,000. I Night clubs and theatres did , the greatest business since the depression, and hundreds of thousands of persons crowded the streets. Times Square, the revellers' usual haunt, was jammed as never before. Special permits were granted the night clubs, which kept open until dawn. The churches also wero crowded for the watch-night services. New Year messages issued by public officials, members of the Cabinet, and leading business men expressing thanks for the prosperity of 1933 and predicting even better .times in 1937 appeared to givo point to the gaiety and spending.