THE CORONATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22714, 28 April 1937, Page 11

THE CORONATION

LENGTH OF CEREMONY SHORTER THAN EXPECTED (Received April 28, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, April 27 Hitherto it has been assumed that the Coronation ceremony would last three hours. Now it is announced, however, that it will commence at 11 a.m. and end at about 1 p.m. AMERICAN DIPLOMAT ENVOY OF PRESIDENT GOODWILL MESSAGE CARRIED LONDON, April 20 The arrivals in England to-day by the liner Queen Mary included Mr.«. James Gerrard, famous as the United States' wartime Ambassador to Germany. He is President Roosevelt's envoy to the Coronation and is bringing a special message of goodwill from the President to the King. Jn discussing "the only thing they seem interested in at home—whether 1 will wear knee breeches at the Coron-

ation," Mr. Gerrard said: " If J were invited to a gentleman's house, I would do what he a<ks me to do. " 1 will certainly wear knee breeches and will have them made in London. I wore breeches when 1 dined with King George V. at the American Embassy in London some years ago." When asked if he would go to Germany, where he has not been since he was Ambassador there at a time when many exciting incidents took place, Mr. Gerrard replied: " Do you want me to cancel my life insurance policy?" However, he admitted that he would like to meet Herr Hitler.