WEMBLEY EXHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19476, 11 May 1925, Page 11

WEMBLEY EXHIBITION

' LARGE CROWDS. A BRILLIANT GATHERING. ROADS BLOCKED WITH TRAFFIC. THE KING’S SPEECH. ; TIGHTENING BONDS OP EMPIRE. Preu AiiocUtion—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 9. (Received May 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Stupendous crowds assembled at Wembley. The roads thither were blocked with traffic. The Stadium was packed long before the arrival of the Royal party, this being heralded by a fanfare of trumpets and the booming of guns. After driving round the Stadium to the accompaniment of deafening cheers, the King, in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, and the Queen took their seats on golden thrones on a crimson and gold dais. On each side of them sat the High Commissioners, representatives of the colonies, and diplomas and groups of Indian officers in multi-coloured uniforms. Guards of honour from the army, navy, and air force mounted in the Stadium, and detachments from the nursing services, the military and naval schools, and the Chelsea pensioners, grouped in the vicinity of the dais, made a dazzling colour picture. The King’s speech, in opening the Exhibition, referred to the wise and patriotic step of continuing for another year what had rightly been described as a university of the Empire. He declared that the Exhibition was a successful instrument in the policy of spreading knowledge of the mutual aspirations, capacities, and needs, which were to the foundation of goodwill between the constituent peoples on whom the British Empire depends for its security and prosperity. The King welcomed the overseas representatives and congratulated the board of management upon presenting the Empire in a new aspect giving a complete and vivid yet fresh picture. His Majesty said he was'glad to learn that last year's results were so favourable. He hoped there would bo a continuance of the beneficent work, assembling the peoples of many lands to whom the Exhibition would demonstrate how many of their wants could he supplied from some part of our commonwealth of nations, while they at Homo would see numerous opportunities offered bv the great countries overseas to those wishing a wider horizon and new fields of endeavour. 110 welcomed the Exhibition policy of presenting the lessons in a lighter end brighter form because those coming to be entertained would remain to he educated, and would return to be further educated. The King said he specially rcjoici-d that housing was made a central feature, pointing out that the foundation of the Empire was in the homo, and the provision of houses permitting a healthy home life was a matter not only of domestic but of Imperial importance. Finally, bis Majesty said he trusted the Exhibition at its close would have completed the task of showing their peoples and the world generally a picture of the British Empire intent on aims of peaceful reconstruction and careful development of its resources, and earnestly seeking peace at home ami abroad. The King concluded bv proving for the blessing of God on an Exhibition which would serve ; to draw closer the bonds uniting the Empire, encourage the growth of commerce within and without tho Empire, and promote the prosperity and happiness of the world. —Renter.

OPENING CEREMONY. ADDRESS BY THE DUKE OF YORK. Ptm» Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON. May 9. (Received May 10, at 5.5 p.m.) The weather was firm until just as the King rose to make his speech in the Stadium, when there was a heavy ,ain storm. A short, religions service followed, the voices of the clergy being almost inaudible owing to a further torrential fall The rain cleared just before the Royalties left. The Duke of York, addressing hia Majesty before the latter’s speech, said the new date of opening had been chosen because it was the fifteenth anniversary of the date on which Ins Majesty was proclaimed King and Emperor. He stated that the Empire representatives who were associated with this great enterprise took occasion to offer their humble duty, and hhpod he would long reign. The present Exhibition, while maintaining the same character ns host year’s, would present the lesson of the Empire in a new manner. The aim had boon to provide not only a complete university of the Empire, hut a great pleasure and recreation ground.—Renter.

SATURDAY’S ADMISSIONS. LONDON, May 10. (Received May 10, atf 11.5 p,.m.) At Wembley the first day admittances totalled 11,103, compared with 63,000 on t'ne first day last year.—A. and N.Z. Cable.