OVERSEA VISITORS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22725, 11 May 1937, Page 11

OVERSEA VISITORS

INFLUX TO CAPITAL THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS RAIN MARS CEREMONIES (Received May 10, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, May 10 The latest arrivals in London for the Coronation include the Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden. Nearly 2000 Americans landed at midnight at Southampton from the liner Queen Mary. These were soon followed by a full complement of South Africans from the Warwick Castle. Later in the day the liners Berengaria, Bremen and Westernland will be disembarking Americans at Southampton. The most complete Coronation rehearsal inside the Abbey, in which 250 distinguished personages participated, attracted a crowd who gave Mr. Baldwin a tremendous reception. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald also was given a cheer.

To the great disappointment of the crowd the ceremonial of the changing of the guard was cancelled owing .to rain. The Australian troops took over Buckingham Palace and St. James' Palace without the usual formalities. MEANING OF CEREMONY SERMON BY THE PRIMATE NEW STATUS OF DOMINIONS LONDON, May 9 The Primate, Dr. Cosnio Gordon Lang, to-day preached on the Coronation at a joint broadcast service in which the Free Churches and the Scottish Churches took part. "Some people think that these old ceremonies have no place in modern life," said Dr. Lang. It would be surely as reasonable to think that a mediaeval cathedral had in our life to-day because it was not modern architecture.

"It is the very merit of the Coronation that it represents the -whole course of national history. Moreover, it will be distinguished from former Coronations because the whole world will be an audience, and it will mark a stage in history as, owing to the Statute of Westminster, the great Dominions will be mentioned by name.

"The Dominions thus will realise that it is their King who is consecrated and crowned, while the presentation of the King at the four sides of the theatre in the Abbey will symbolise his rule over the great Dominions in the four quarters of the globe. "Three months ago I addressed the British people recalling them to religion as one of the sure foundations of personal and national life. May I now extend that appeal to the Empire and also urge acceptance of the full meaning of the Coronation by ensuring that it represents the" consecration of all his people in and with the King, to serve the King of Kings?" QUEEN MARY AT ABBEY A FURTHER INSPECTION (Received May 10, G.o p.m.) British Wireless . RUGBY, May 9 Queen Mary visited Westminster Abbey this morning for a further inspection of the arrangements for the Coronation. _ KING'S GOOD HEALTH "HUMAN AND LOVABLE" LONDON, May G "Malicious gossip about the King's health is untrue, unkind, and unworthy," said the Rev. E. R. Hyde, director of the Industrial Welfare Society, at an Industrial Co-partner-ship luncheon. "1 have seen the King on many occasions," he added. "He is a delightful companion, very human and lovable. I was impressed with his solicitude when the police had to restrain women and girls from crowding his ear while he was visiting an industrial centre."