THE ROYAL JUBILEE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22563, 6 May 1935, Page 15

THE ROYAL JUBILEE

OPENING OF CELEBRATIONS EMPIRE-WIDE REJOICINGS UNIVERSAL EXPRESSION OF LOYALTY

. Throughout the whole of the British Empire to-day the silver jubilee of the accession to the thr.one of their Majesties the King and Queen will be celebrated. Everywhere elaborate preparations have been made to honour the occasion with fitting ceremony and appropriate rejoicings, the echoes of which, ringing throughout the world, will once more emphasise the affectionate regard in which their Majesties are held and the loyal devotion to'the throne which is felt in every part of their dominions.

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS MILITARY REVIEW AND SPORTS ARRANGEMENTS SLIGHTLY ALTERED Owing to the unfavourable weather during the week-end, the arrangements for the celebration in Dunedin of the jubilee of his Majesty the King have been'altered to some extent. The military review will be held in the Drill Hall, and afterwards a ceremony will' take place at the Town Hall, where the jubilee medals will be presented-and addresses will be given by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and Mr W. Downie Stewart, M.P. The amended programme for the day is as follows: —

9.30 a.m.—Military review in the Drill •Hall. ■= . ■-.''• "._ 10.15 a.m. —Ceremony m the Town Hall; speeches by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and Mr W. Downie Stewart, M.P.; presentation of jubilee medals. 10.30 a.m.—Hockey: University A v. High School Old Boys A, at Logan Park. 11a.m. —Special service in St. Paul's Cathedral; Boy Scouts' tree-planting ceremony on the Queen's drive. Noon.—Dunedin Jockey Club's jubilee meeting at Wingatui. 1.30 p.m.—Rugby football: Alhambra v University A, at Carisbrook; Union v! University B, at the Caledonian Ground. > , 2.30 p.m.—Association football: Judilee trial*match at Logan Park. j 3 p .m.—Rugby football: Kaikorai v. Pirates, at Carisbrook; Zingari v. Southern, at Caledonian Ground; Dunedin v. Taieri, at Mosgiel. 8 p.m.—Civic jubilee concert in the Town Hall; lighting of bonfires by Boy Scouts at Kew, Mornington, Signal Hill, Pine Hill, Halfway Bush and Highcliff.

PORT CHALMERS CELEBRATION # The occasion will be celebrated at Port Chalmers as follows: — - _ 10.30 a.m.—Civic service in the Town Hall. ' - ; . 7 p.m.—Procession through streets. ' 7.30 p.m.—Address by the Mayor (Mr John Watson) at the Band Rotunda. 7.40 p.m.—Fireworks display near Scott memorial cairn. 8 p.m.—Lighting of bonfire on hillside. OBSERVANCE AT MOSGIEL The following events will take place i Mosgiel: — 10.30 a.m.—Thanksgiving service in the Town Hall under the auspices of the Ministers' Association. 2 p.m. —Procession through the streets. 3.30 p.m. —Addresses in the park by the Mayor (Mr A. F. Quelch), the chairman of the Taieri County Council (Mr C. Findlay) and the Rev. S. C. Francis. 7.30 p.m.—llluminated procession through town. 8.15 p.m. —Dance in the Coronation Hall.

SERVICES AT FIRST CHURCH SIGNIFICANCE OF* NATIONAL ' ANTHEM. Thanksgiving services were held in First Church yesterday in connection 'with the royal jubilee. At the morning Rervice the Rev. W. Allen Stevely delivered a thanksgiving sermon on,the words of 1 Samuel, chapter 10, verse 14: "Samuel said to all the people? See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen. . And all the people shouted, and said, God save the King." As the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) .aptly remarked at the civic welcome on Wednesday last, said Mr Stevely, the eyes of all in the Empire were at this time turned on London, and in particular on his Majesty the Kin", the centre and symbol of the Empire" The twenty-fifth year of a remarkable reign had almost drawn to a close. Well might all his Majesty's • subjects say with heart and voice, "God save the King." The National Anthem, so frequently used,' might lose something of its sacred value, but there were seasons when the heart was deeply moved and the commonest words glowed with new meaning and power. The silver jubilee was such a season. All would say that anthem-prayer this week with deep emotion and gratitude. It would serve to make their thanksgiving to God more real if they reflected how God had wondrously answered the Empire's prayer during the past 25 years. Let them consider two experiences of his Majesty's reign. At the State funeral of King Edward VII eight Kings besides King George followed the royal casket. No one could tell on that day 25 years ago how many thrones thus represented would totter and collapse in the following decade. Despite the loose, friendly federation of nations comprising the British Empire, the throne had been preserved through the greatest war tjhe' world had known. God had saved the King and delivered the Empire when "our national existence was imperilled. The Almighty had done this great thing, and had shown that right was stronger than might. The King was the embodiment ff the risht of free peoples, and not the symbol of absolute power. Then during the period of the King's illness God had again answered the Empire's prayer, "God save the King." People had waited anxiously for newsg of the King's health as if he had been their closest relative. His Majesty, in April, 1929, apoke of "the widespread

and loving solicitude" with which he was. surrounded, and of the great number of those who in every part of the E-mpire remembered him with prayers and good wishes. His Majesty had ex-p-/et.sly stated that his remarkable recovery and the fellowship of sympathy that bound his subjects with a new bond of comradeship were the answer to a nation's passionate cry, "God save the King." This prayer and its answer were their hope for the Empire ana, indeed, for the world, for years to come. It had been splendidly said, "The Englishman is taught to love the King as his friend." In the last analysis what bound them to the throne was a bond of love. It ,was a spiritual thing. It was democratic in the best sense. It was inspired and sustained by God. It called them to bring their individual and national life into alignment with the will and purpose of God —to fear God and honour the King. That was the deepest note in their anthem-prayer, "God save the King. 1 ' The order of service specially drawn up for the occasion was used.

MESSAGE FROM RETURNED SOLDIERS FELICITATIONS FROM NEW ZEALAND. (Per United Press Association) 'WELLINGTON, May 4. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, through the Dominion president, Sir Andrew Russell, has despatched the following message to the British Empire Service League for submission to the King and Queen: — " Please express to their Majesties felicitations on attaining their silver Jubilee, and an assurance of the continued loyalty of the New Zealand re: turned soldiers."

THE SALVATION ARMY EXPRESSION OF LOYALTY. Before .leaving Auckland by the Mariposa to-day General Evangeline Booth sent the following cablegram to his Majesty the King:—, "To the King's Most Excellent Majesty and Most Gracious Sovereign The Salvationists of. your renowned dominions, ( with sincere pride, offer your Majesty, s on the occasion of the jubilee of your accession, assurances of their affectionate loyalty to the throne, to your Majesty's person, and to her Majesty the Queen. We recognise your Majesty's reign as being among the most memorable in history. It has covered a period of momentous events, of great achievements, of revolutionary changes, of the World War, of unprecedented economic depression.

" Throughout these years your Majesty has set a noble example, displaying not only high courage, ripe wisdom and farseeing vision, but alsp that human sympathy which has won for you an abiding place in the hearts of your people. As the General of our international army, representative of many peoples, permit mi to convey to your Majesty our deep gratitude to God for your Majesty's exaltation of the beauty and power of the Word of God as one unerring guide to life and character."

INVERCARGILL PROCESSION CHILDREN NOT TO PARTICIPATE AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION. a (Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL, May 5. Primary school children will not now participate in to-morrow's jubilee procession in Invercargill as a result of the attitude taken up by the Headmasters' Association, the secretary of which states that it has good reasons for its decision. Following a public meeting of citizens at which the Mayor presided, the town clerk communicated with the secretary of the Southland Education Board making a request that primary bcliool children of the Fourth Standard and upwards should parade in a procession on Monday to celebrate the silver jubilee of the King. Captain A. J. Moore, marshal in charge of the arrangements in connection with the procession, has now received a message from the Headmasters' Association advising him that the head masters had decided that primary school children would not be parading. The Mayor (Mr John Miller) stated yesterday that he was most disappointed at this message being received, as one of the fundamental objects of the celebrations was to instil a spirit of loyalty in the minds of the children. Mr Miller was in telephone communication yester way with Mr S. Rice, chairman of the Education Board, and he asked Mr Rice t 6 investigate the matter at once, with a view to the children being allowed to take part in the celebrations. When Mr G. F. Griffiths, secretary of the Headmasters' Association, was asked if he had any announcement to make on the subject, he stated that the secretary of the Education Board had been in touch with the headmasters yesterday. It was not thought desirable to give a statement of the headmasters' views at present, but they had very good reason for their decision. " I shall be very distressed if the schools do not take an active part in the celebration of this great occasion," said Mr Rice. "It is my intention that the matter should be inquired into by the board at its next meeting.

CELEBRATION IN LONDON GREAT THRONGS IN STREETS KING'S MESSAGE TO CHILDREN (British Official Wireless.) 1 RUGBY, May 3. Jubilee souvenirs which 650,000 pupils and teachers have received from the London County Council contain the following message from the King:— To the children of Lo:.don on the twenty-fifth anniversary of my accession, I send to you this message. You are heirs of past, but the future is yours, and it is your high responsibility. Each of you must try to be a good citizen in a good city. With this end in view, y«u must make the best of all your powers. Strive to grow in strength, in knowledge, and in grace. If you persist bravely in this endeavour, you will work worthily for your - family, your city, your country, and for mankind. So to live in whatever sphere you may be must be noble and may be great. My confident trust is in you.—George Rex. THRONGS OF SIGHTSEERS Warm, sunny weather brought vast numbers of jubilee sightseers into the London streets to-day, and the traffic on the roads and pavements was much congested. Numbers of family parties cruised about taxicabs and cars. As usual, a large section of the crowd congregated in the neighbourhood of Buckingham Palace in the hope of seeing the King, but his Majesty was engaged throughout the day in routine matters. The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Gloucester, was warmly cheered when she left the palace this afternoon to drive to Kew Gardens, where about an hour was spent. A special staff is engaged at the palace dealing with the very large number of messages of congratulation which during the past few days have been received from all parts of Britain and the Empire and from many foreign countries.

In the London streets finishing touches are being given to the decorations, and the newly-erected stands are being draped with the royal colours. They have transformed the appearance of the streets on the royal route, particularly in the West End. The stands in front of the clubs in Pall Mall and Waterloo place give a gay mediaeval aspect to these neighbourhoods. . SYMBOLISM OF THE CROWN Mr Stanley Baldwin, presiding at a League demonstration, said the position of the Crown and of the King in this country was not merely a matter of sentiment Important as that was, it was a matter of the most profound political interest and importance. If in any cataclysm the Crown vanished the Empire would vanish with it. "As the older Imperial ties become attenuated," continued Mr Baldwin, " that of the Crown becomes stronger and more personal every year that we live. We have evidence of that to-day in the tone, spirit, and temper of the demonstrations and thanksgivings which are patent throughout the world, from one end of the Empire to the other, so wc may pray that the Crown—that great symbol of our race and of our unity throughout the world—may be perpetual with the Constitution of our country. This is a link which cmce broken can never be repaired. So long as that tradition to which vre have been accustomed —and our fathers before us—lasts it-will be blessed through this country, and no power on earth can ever break it."

VISITORS FROM OVERSEAS . The liners Moreton Bay, Dunbar Castle, and Windsor Castle, normally due on the 6th, are. racing to Southampton to arrive on the sth, to enable 1579 passengers to witness the jubilee procession. ■» NEW ZEALAND'S LOYALTY Mr Forbes, in a message in the Daily Mail, srys: "No part of the Empire will enter the spirit of rejoicing more spontaneously than New Zealand, which is bound to the Mother Country by the strongest affection. Each generation is eagerly grasping and maintaining the tradition of loyalty. The King is no mere symbol of sovereignty. He is honoured and esteemed as the leader of his people." SOUTH AUSTRALIA'S GIFT MATERNAL AND CHILD WELFARE. (United Pilss Association.) . (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) ADELAIDE, May 4. Cabinet has decided to make a special grant of £SOOO to the King's Jubilee Fund, inaugurated by the Commonwealth Government in the interests of maternal and child welfare. The Acting Premier (Mr Ritchie) said that, in addition to this gift, the South Australian Government had disbursed about £IO,OOO to the unemployed as a feature of the jubilee celebrations. BROADCASTING ARRANGEMENTS EMPIRE TRANSMISSIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, May 3. (Received May 5, at 5.5 p.m.) 8.8. C. Empire transmissions of special jubilee programmes during the coming week well be conducted a» follows

The thanksgiving service attended by their Majesties at St. Paul's, together with a commentary on the royal procession, May 6, at 10.5 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; May 7, 3 a.m.; May 8, 5.15 a.m.

A review of the King's reign, with messages of loyal greetings from overseas, terminating with a speech by the King, May 6, 5.30 p.m. and 11.50 p.m.; May 7, 5.15 a.m., 11.55 a.m. and 2.40 p.m. The visit by their Majesties to Westminster Hall to receive addresses presented by the House of Lords and the House of Commons, May 9, 10.20 a.m., 3.45 p.m., 9 p.m., and 11.30 p.m.; May 10, 6 a.m. GREAT DEMAND FOR BUNTING (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 4.. (Received May 5, at 5.5 p.m.) Everything is now in readiness for Monday's jubilee celebrations. The Corporation of London has undertaken the broadcast of the thanksgiving service to the immense crowds that will be assembled around the cathedral. The wireless will also play an important part in linking up the main cUebrations with those that are taking place locally in every town and village in Britain. The floodlighting effects were fully tested last night in the presence of even greater crowds than earlier in the week. One of the most effective examples is the facade of Buckingham Palace, which has not hitherto been illuminated in this wav. '

Sightseers flocked into the garlanded streets to-day, and, although owing to the half holiday there was less business activity, the traffic congestion was more acute than ever. It is anticipated that the climax of pre-celebration crowds will be reached to-morrow. The demand for bunting for the decoration of buildings has been so heavy that supplies are said

to be exhausted, and firms engaged in their manufacture are still working overtime to meet the rush of orders. The King held Council at Buckingham Palace, at which an Order-in-Coun-cil was signed by him authorising the issue of a new five-shilling piece in commemoration of the jubilee. A scheme to provide all the 230,000 elementary school children in the West Riding of Yorkshire with a souvenir pass book and a deposit of one shilling was inaugurated yesterday. Lord Halifax, President of the Board of Education, in commending the scheme, recalled that similar schemes, but on a much smaller scale, were set on foot at the coronation of King Edward in 1902 and at the accession of King George in 1910. HUGE RADIO AUDIENCE LONDON, May 4. (Received May 5, at 10 p.m.) Hl3 Majesty's broadcast from Buckingham Palace at 8 p.m.. (British standard time) on Monday will have the greatest audience ever known. It will be directly received in South Africa, Canada, Australia, Nairobi, New Zealand, the United StaTes,' Egypt, Java, Shanghai and Argentina, while stations in Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland, Prance, Holland, Hungary, Portugal, Switzerland and Sweden will all relay the speech. Half the world will also listen to the St. Paul's service. Austria, Denmark, Prance and Germany are sending special radio commentators to describe the service for their respective countries. Cameramen of newsreel firms/ will photograph the entire route, and the films i will be carried by aeroplanes to every, part of the country and sent by air mail to the chief capitals of Europe, the United States, and the dominions. Men are still working day and night arranging decorations and seats. The crowds are the densest seen for years.

THE JUBILEE HONOURS LONDON,'May 4. (Received May 5, at 10 p.m.) The Star understands that Mr Arthur Henderson will receive a peerage in the jubilee honours as a tribute to his work at the Disarmament Conference. MEDALS FOR AUSTRALIANS SYDNEY, May 5. (Received May 6, at 0.5 a.m.) The names of recipients of royal jubilee medals, of.which the Australian quota is 6500, were announced to-day. They include people in all walks of life and engaged in almost every form of community service, notably the apostolic delegate, the heads of churches and the Salvation Armyj of soldiers and sailors' organisations, women directing philanthropic work, members of the judiciary and the military and naval forces, professional and scientific men, officials of Government Departments, bankers, newspaper editors, police chiefs, meteorologists, actors, sculptors, ex-army nurses and Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Federal and State politicians figure largely in the lists. The number of recipients in New South Wales is about 1800, while 1450 have been reserved for Commonwealth distribution. AMNESTY FOR PRISONERS OTTAWA, May 3. (Received May 5, at 11 p.m.) Six hundred prisoners will be set free through the jubilee amnesty, while others will get a month off each year of their sentences.