THE IMPERIAL CALAMITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22788, 25 January 1936, Page 13

THE IMPERIAL CALAMITY

A SAD PROCESSION

MOURNERS LINE ROUTE FROM SANDRINGHAM TO WESTMINSTER LONDON, January 23. Despite a bitter north-east wind, the mourners, many of whom travelled from distant towns, including a party of royal tenants from Balmoral, began to line the road from Sandringham to Wolferton shortly after daybreak. The women were dressed in deep black, and most of the men wore full mourning. Every class was represented.

The road passed through thick woods with grass borders covered with a mantle of white frost.

There was no muffled beat of drums or sad music. The gleam of bayonets marked- the King's last journey f rom the little church. The crowds outside the church bared their heads when the service commenced, the strains of the organ and the voices of the choirboys ringing clear through the etill morning air. King Edward conducted his mother to a front pew near the chancel. The remaining members of the Royal Family grouped themselves in the adjoining pews. The old retainers and servants of the King filled the body of the church.

The rector offered prayers, after which the choir sang the 23rd Psalm. The Bishop of Norwich read the lesson from Revelation xxi, verses 1 to 7, from the famous old Bible with a vellum cover studded wjth precious stones. The Royal Family and the congregation knelt in prayer, while the choir sang a hymn of peace.

A perfect peace service concluded with a prayer by the Bishop of Norwich. Eight stalwart Guardsmen gently lifted the coffin on their shoulders and bore it to the west door. Immediately behind walked King Edward. MELANCHOLY PAGEANTRY KING FOLLOWS COFFIN LONDON, January 23. The coffin was placed on a gun carriage. As the sad procession moved to the station a lament, played by Pipemajor Forsyth, floated across the countryside. The cortege, headed by the Chief Constable of Norfolk, followed by 12 tall Guardsmen and Captain Paisley, of the Royal Horse Artillery, with drawn sword gleaming, preceded the gun carriage, which was drawn by seven bay horses draped with the Royal Standard. A few yards behind walked the King, his face wrought with grief. A yard or two behind on either side followed the Duke of York and the Duke of Gloucester, and then the Duke of Kent and the Earl of Harewood. AH seemed overcome with sorrow. Then came a dark grey coach drawn by two grey horses in which were seated the Queen, the Princess Royal and the Duchess of York in deep black and heavily veiled. Through the bare-headed, reverent crowds the procession passed in silence. The Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent and the Queen's ladies-in-waiting rode in the second carriage, behind which walked tall, grey-haired Richard Howlett, the King's "valet and friend, who to-dav took precedence of all the great officers of the Royal Household. Thou came King George's white pony, dock, and the two nurses who tended his Majesty during his illness. Lord' Wig-ram led the officers of the Royal Household. The procession ended with the humble tenants of the royal estate. The crowd was very dense near the station. Their feelings were at breaking point when the beat of a drum heralded the solemn strains of Beethoven's " Funeral March." The bearskins of the Guardsmen, silhouetted against the sky, appeared over the brow of the hill. A sharp wind, blowing across the marshes from the sea, met the procession as it filed down. The King looked at the throng now and again and seemed to nod to some of the villagers. Men and women sobbed unrestrainedly and some collapsed with grief. As the cortege entered the station yard members of the British Legion lowered the banners in salute. The Guardsmen carried the coffin across a red carpet to the waiting train, in which the Royal Family immediately took their seats. The crowd broke through the police cordon and ran across the fields along the railings bordering the line. The train proceeded slowly for the first halfmile. It did not gather speed until it had passed the last of the mourners. One compartment was filled with flowers, not even the smallest tribute from the villagers being left behind. ,

BRITAIN'S FINAL HOMAGE CEREMONIAL AT WESTMINSTER LORDS AND COMMONS MOURN The "swift passage through shadow" of the Imperial monarch is now the subject of a nation's undisguised grief. The coffin, gun carriage and ceremonial which characterised the conveyance of the late King's body from the quiet of Sandringham Church to the pomp of Westminster Hall needed only the spectacle of densely thronged London thoroughfares to complete a scene of a nation with bowed head. The King, of a truth, is dead.

The last sad rites will follow the lying-in-state, commenced yesterday, when King George V will be gathered to his fathers in St. George's Chapel at Windsor.

ENTRY INTO LONDON THOROUGHFARES THRONGED GRENADIER GUARDS ON PARADE LONDON, January 23. While the coffin was proceeding to Wolferton thousands of Londoners were already gathering outside, the Houses of Parliament, and at King's Cross people stood four and five deep on the pavements. Most of the business premises in the neighbourhood were draped with purple and black. Many who assembled outside the Abbey for Mr Kipling's service hurried to take up positions in Parliament Square, Aldwych, Trafalgar Square and other vantage points attracting early arrivals.

The throng was densest in London at King's Cross. When the cortege appeared heads peered from every parapet and faces were at every window. The crowds wedged the pavements. A triple guard of honour from the three services was mounted at the station yard in order of seniority.

The road traffic at Euston had been still since 2 p.m., but when the coffin emerged to be placed on a gun carriage by a battery of the Royal Horse Artillery the silence of the crowd was almost of death itself.

King Edward was the first to leave the royal train from a saloon immediately behind the coffin. He walked alone down the platform till the Dukes of York, Kent, and Gloucester and the Earl of Harewood alighted. Then his Majesty returned to the royal saloon, gave his hand to his mother, and gently assisted her to the platform. The Princess Eoyal, the Duchesses of York, Gloucester and Kent joined the royal party, whom the King led along the platform. Orders rang out, the guard sprang to the salute, and Royalty stood on a red carpet while an official emerged from the train carrying a red cushion on which reposed the late monarch's crown.

Thereafter the party returned to the black-purple coffin saloon awaiting the removal of his Majesty's remains. Even in that brief interval King Edward's solicitude for others prompted a request to the officer in charge to let the guard momentarily stand easy. Then at 2.55 the King gave the signal and the coffin was transferred to the gun carriage. Bearers of the Grenadier Guards bore the coffin past the King. Next to him stood the Earl s of Harewood and the Duke of Gloucester, beside whom was the Queen, then the Princess Royal and the three. Duchesses.

Directly the coffin was placed on the "un carriage the King turned and bowed to his mother. His brothers followed his example, and then took their places behind the cortege. King Edward alone was at the head of the royal mourners. Then came the three brothers and the Earl of Harewood. Punctually at 3 p.m. the procession moved from the station. A body of mounted police headed the procession with the Grenadier Guards bearer party flanking the gun carriage each side. THROUGH CITY STREETS MULTITUDES WATCH PROCESSION LONDON, January 23. Cars containing the Queen, the Duchesses, and the ladies of the Household went by separate routes to the palace, entered almost unobserved, and left again at 3.55 to participate in the brief service at Westminster Hall. Meanwhile the cortege threaded way through an unbroken, reverent human avenue, orderly as usual, except at Tavistock Square Gardens, where the assemblage was so dense that the police had to link arms to prevent their overHow from the pavement. Many women were carried out fainting. The throng was the same all the way to Trafalgar Square, where the scene was unforgettable, lining in such contrast to the multitudes usually gathered there on occasions of rejoicing. The hush was absolute.

The solid mass of humanity stretched right back to the steps of the National Gallerv.

Appropriately enough, the crowd was lliickest at Whitehall, notably around the Cenotaph, where his Majesty had so often made his act of homage.

Big Ben heralded the punctual arrival of the cortege at Westminster Palace Yard at 4 o'clock, the Royal Standard simultaneously breaking out at half mast from the flagstaff on St. Stephen's Tower. The Yeomen of the Guard, in medieval uniforms, and a guard of honour of 50 each from the Guardsmen and the Royal Marines, were mounted in the Palacj yard. One entrance was flanked by Westminster School boys with gowned and mortar-boarded masters.

Parliament Square has never been more tightly packed. The bells of the Abbey were tolling as the cortege entered the yard, where the King, walking slightly in the rear of the Dukes of York and Gloucester, glanced around at the crowd. The Guards dipped the King's Colours as the coffin was lifted from the gun carriage to the door of Westminster Hall, where it was received bv the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earl Marshal (the Duke of Norfolk) and the First Commissioner of Works (Mr W. G. Ormsby Gore).

THE LYING IN STATE SCENE IN WESTMINSTER HALL THOUSANDS VIEW CATAFALQUE LONDON, January 23. The Duke of Norfolk, raising his wand of office, commanded the opening of the doors. The Archbishop of Canterbury put on a purple skull cap and passed through to receive the coffin, which was placed on the catafalque. The King, the Queen, and other royal mourners took up positions at the head of the coffin, the heralds standing on either side. The Archbishop of Canterbury, standing on the lower step of the dais of the catafalque, pronounced in a firm, clear voice, which was audible in every corner of the vast hall, the opening prayer of a simple and impressive service: "0 Saviour of the world, who by Thy Cross and precious blood has redeemed us, save us and help us, we humbly beseech Thee." The congregation joined in the Lord's Prayer, after which the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced a special prayer of thankfulness for the blessings in the reign of King George. The Abbey choir sang the hymn, " Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven." The Archbishop of Canterbury then pronounced the benediction and conducted the royal mourners to the door.

It was remarked that the short service seemed to give the King and Queen added strength and dignity. The Queen walked firm and erect, and some of the strain seemed to have passed from the King's face as though the peace of God had entered his heart.

When the royal mourners had departed, members of the House of Lords and Commons filed slowly past on either side of the catafalque. Thousands of people were massed in front of the palace before the King and Queen returned from Westminster. As the car approached the people surged forward from all sides. The police were powerless to restrain them, and the royal car was almost stopped. Women curtsied and men raised their hats.

The King and the Queen were obviously touched by the demonstration. They looked from side to side and bowed. Crowds lingered long after the King and the Queen entered the palace, which was quickly ablaze with light, and the Royal Standard fluttered at the mast head. A DISTINGUISHED GATHERING LONDON, January 24. The distinguished gathering at Westminster Hall contained man* who were there on the King's memorable visit on May 8 to receive the House of Commons' Jubilee congratulations. The assemblage, all in heavy mourning, were hushed, as previously they had been animated. All the dignity of England was assembled beneath the timbered roof of Westminster Hall—the Court, the Church, lords, commoners, judges, and the press. The white-surpliccd choir had taken its place at the far end of the vast hall under the great window when the lords filed in, headed by the Lord Chancellor wearing his robes of State. Peers, seldom seen in London, had journeyed from all parts of Britain to pay their last homage to the beloved Sovereign. Members of the House of Commons, headed by the Speaker and members of Cabinet, took up their stand opposite them on the other side of the hall. Heralds flanking the high Gothic doors and Yeomen of the Guard lent the only note of colour, apart from the impressive purple-covered catafalque standing in the centre of an expanse of grey carpet. The Duke of Norfolk received the ladies of the Court, who were so heavily veiled that it was impossible to recognise their features. ,

Ten minutes before the cortege arrived the Archbishop of Canterbury attended the Chaplain's Court. The officers entered the hall and took their stand. The door attendants lit four great candles at the four comers of the catafalque. A solemn hush fell on the great assembly, broken only by the tolling of the bells and the faint sound of commands from the officers outside.

VIGIL AT THE CATAFALQUE

"PASSAGE THROUGH SHADOW "

LATE KING'S RELIGION

TIMES' MOVING TESTIMONY

LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 8 p.m.)

The Times, in an editorial tribute to the late King's religion, comments: — " Parliament's prayer, written in 1662, was for ' Our most religious and gracious King.' If loyalty rather than veracity was applied as the first adjective to the King, then reigning veracity no less than loyalty finds in it a true description of the monarch we mourn to-day. Tributes would draw a false portrait if they ascribed his characteristics chiefly to inherited tradition or, indeed, any other source than the firmly held religious faith and utter self-forget fulness with which he set himself about his daily task. Tlie unwearied search for opportunities of showing kindness was a direct consequence of his religion. All who, less than a month ago, heard the King's Christmas message will recall that ' God help me' as he spoke of himself in impressive sincerity. Who can but feel to-day that the prayer has been answered? The help which strengthened him throughout his reign did 'not fail him at the end. It spared him what he alone dreaded, another long illness or the disabilities of old age. A happy Christmas with his family in the setting he loved best, a swift passage through shadow, and so home. God helped him, and that right early."

PARLIAMENTARY MOTIONS PANEGYRIC BY PRIME MINISTER POWER OF THE CROWN AN INDISSOLUBLE LINK LONDON, January 24. Both Houses of Parliament met today to pay their tribute to the memory of the late King and also to express their loyalty and devotion to the new Sovereign. The proceedings began in the House of Commons with Mr Baldwin reading the following message from King Edward:— " I am well assured that the House of Commons deeply mourns the death of my beloved father. He devoted a life of service to the people, and in upholding constitutional government he was ever actuated by a profound sense of duty. lam resolved to follow the way he set before me."

Mr Baldwin, amid subdued cheers, moved two motions conveying to the King the House's deep sympathy in his grievous affliction, and also its grateful remembrance of his late Majesty's unselfish public service for the welfare of the people, and further expressing to the King loyal devotion and the firm conviction that, under Divine Providence, he would throughout his reign promote happiness and protect the libertics of the people. He moved a second motion of condolence to the Queen, assuring her that the House shared her sorrow in the irreparable loss which the nation had sustained, and that all the members ever held in their hearts towards her Majesty the deepest feeling of reverence and affection. MR BALDWIN'S ADDRESS Mr Baldwin said that the temporal powers of the Crown had diminished through the ages; yet to-day the spiritual power of the Crown was not only far greater than over, but was greater than any man in his visions or dreams could have foreseen. It held together the whole Empire of English-speaking people. It was, he believed, an indissoluble link which was due to the character of those who had held the throne for the last 100 years. " The power of the Crown to-day is not the power of force," added Mr Baldwin. "It is a great moral power which must depend on the character and quality of him who sits on the Throne, and, important as we may think ourselves in our generation, who wrestle with the political problems of the country and act as the King's advisers, we are but ephemeral compared with the Monarch. It was in the reign of King George that the greatest and swiftest changes occurred. He met the challenge of time without flinching, and triumphed at a time when a slip of speech or action might have wrought irreparable damage. He never considered his own ease or leisure, and by some indefinable and intangible wave of sympathy and understanding he conveyed his personality to his subjects, not only at home but also throughout the world. We have no memory of him but at his best, and his best was something very high. He fell asleep at peace with all the world.

LONDON, January 24. (Received Jan. 24, at 11.30 p.m.) '

Exhausted by the vigil at the catafalque one Yeoman of the Guards fell in a dead faint and was carried from the hall. Another Yeoman immediately took his place. At the corners of tho coffin stand officers, the candlelight reflected in their burnished breastplates, their gauntleted hands crossed on sword hilts and their helmeted heads bent. Four officers of the Corps of the Gentlemen at Arms, with cloaks covering tkei'brilliant uniforms, lean on reversed halberds at the end of the dais.

King Edward introduced an innovation by extending to all guards regiments tin privilege hitherto enjoyed by the Horse Guards and the Ist Battalion of Grenadier Guards of supplying officers % attend the bier. Thus until Tuesday will the King be guarded in silent majesty. The guards will be relieved every half hour.

" There is no need to dwell on how his Majesty's power and influence for good was enhanced in a million ways by the rich companionship of the Queen. We would merely assure the Queen that the whole country feels for her something far removed from conventional grief. But our thoughts must turn to the future. We offer congratulations to our new King. No two sovereigns in the long gallery of his ancestors have served their people in identical fashion. The three past sovereigns were widely divergent in their gifts. Edward the Eighth in turn brings to the same altar a personality richly endowed with experience of public affairs, of the fruits of travel, and of universal goodwill. He

It has now been disclosed that the vibration of the gun carriage passing through London caused a loosening of the Maltese Cross, jewelled with valuable Indian stones, which surmounted th; Crown. .The cross eventually fell to th'; road, where it was picked up by an officer in the procession and a member of the Court jewellers was hastily summoned and repaired the damage a few seconds before the service was started a; Westminster Hall. LAST AUDIENCE WITH PEOPLE LONDON, January 24. (Received Jan. 24, at 11.30 p.m.) Hundreds who were eager to pay homage to the King attempted to queue up last night in readiness for the opening of Westminster Hall at 8 a.m. to-day. Many arrived with camp stools, rugs, and vacuum flasks. The police refused to permit a queue, and continued to move on the arrivals, mostly women, who insisted upon being first to enter, and frequently returned. Finally towards midnight a queue was allowed, and soon it stretched half a mile, and was continually growing. It is estimated that 15,000 'will pass every hour through the solemn chamber where the dead King awaits the last audience with his people.

8.8. C. ARRANGEMENTS LONDON, -January 23. The Broadcasting Corporation is closing down from the time that King George's remains arrive in London until 4 p.m., except to'broadcast the solemn strokes of Big Ben every 15 minutes. RELAY OF SERVICE LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 6 p.m.) The Broadcasting Corporation announces that the funeral service at Windsor on January 28 will be relayed throughout the empire.

has the secret of youth, is in the prime of age, and has a wider and more intimate knowledge of all classes of his subjects not only at Home, but also throughout the dominions and India, than any of his predecessors. We cannot forsee what paths the course of Empire and of history may take, but our ancient Constitution has shown itself in the words of his father adaptable to change. That virtue has not left us, and, while we remain true to our inheritance and our character, it never will. It is now in a special and unique sense in the keeping of the young King, whom we have sworn to cherish." Mr Baldwin recalled that it was in Westminster Hall that the first Parliaments were' held. Through long centuries until yesterday's proclamation of King Edward VIII, the evolution of the constitution* had continued. There had been changes manifold in the usage of Parliament, and changes in the nature of the monarchy, but the changes were accomplished for the most part peacefully, in accordance with the political tradition of the British race. The great achievement of last century, culminating perhaps in the reign of King George V was the coming to terms of the democracy and of the monarchy, and a system unique in the world was evolved, which gave stability to the body politic. It was a system that most countries to-day would give all they had to possess. The King communicated his personality by some indefinable, intangible wave of sympathy and understanding to every one of his subjects, not only at Home, but throughout the world.

He agreed with the series of Acts whereby the dominions attained equality with the Mother Country and India, and set the road to self-government. He allowed nominal sovereignty to be apparently diminished, but by doing so established his real sovereignty in the hearts of the people of the Empire. — (Cheers.) The country did not see the movements of mass hysteria witnessed elsewhere. One reason was the presence of the King, who commanded the respect and affection of his people, and was beyond the spirit of a faction. There was no need to elevate a popular hero, because the King was there to express the hero to his people. — (Cheers.) The King felt the tragedy of unemployment deeply. The new King had shown the same sympathy for all classes. Mr Baldwin concluded: Inspired by these memories and endowed as he is, we look forward with confidence and assurance to the new reign, believing that under God's providence he will establish the Throne more_ firmly than ever on the present and only foundations —the hearts of Ijhe people. LABOUR'S EULOGY

Major Attlee said: "There is no division. We arc all united in sorrow at the loss of our great and well-beloved Sovereign. We all feel we have lost a friend. King George reigned through a period of transition. The old world passed away and a new one was born. Thrones have been overthrown because the occupants stubbornly set themselves against the march of events. King George succeeded where others failed because he was a democrat. He was a supreme exponent of the difficult art of constitutional kingship. Instances are to be found in his acceptance of the limitation of the powers of the Upper House and in the attainment of office by a new party, members of which are drawn prominently from manual workers." A LIBERAL TRIBUTE

Sir Archibald Sinclair, associating the Liberals with the motions, said that during a period in which all institutions in the country were subjected to rapid change, trials, and stresses, King George had strengthened his hold upon the imaginations of the peoples of the Commonwealth. Referring to King Edward, he said that perhaps never in the Empire's history had a Prince ascended the throne ,so fully equipped. He both commended and constantly practised the ideals of social service- and fellowship. The motions were carried. TOUCHING REFERENCE TO QUEEN (Uritish Official Wireless) RUGBY, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Stanley Baldwin, in a touching reference to the Queen, said that her relationship with the King was something too sacred even for comment in that House. Of the new Sovereign, MiBaldwin said that King Edward VIII in his turn brought to the common altar of national service a personality richly endowed with experience in public affairs, with the fruits of travel, and with univarsal goodwill. "We look forward with confidence and assurance to the new reign, believing that he will establish the Throne more firmly than ever on its surest* and only foundation, the hearts of his people." Major Attlee began his tribute with the words, " There is to-day no division in this House," and said that the whole nation was in mourning because they felt that they had lost a friend. It had been given to no previous King to have won such universal affection. DEVOTION TO DUTY

REFERENCES IN HOUSE OF LORDS AN IMPRESSIVE SPEECH LONDON, January 23. The most impressive speech in tho House of Lords which received a message from his Majesty similar to that sent to the House of Commons, came from the Archbishop of Canterbury, who said: "Let me lay some emphasis on King George's steadfast devotion to duty. I do so because it was revealed in a most moving manner on the last day of his life, when at noon, propped up in a chair and looking so frail and weak, he received his last Privy Council. To the orders constituting the Council of State he gave in his own clear tones his familiar ' approved.' Then he made deliberate and repeated efforts, which were most gallant and pathetic, to sign his last State paper with his own hand. When the effort was too great for him he turned to the Council with a last kindly and kingly smile. It was a scene which those who beheld it will never forget. I hope I have not been guilty of impropriety in describing it. I think it worthy of record. It shows that what rallied him in his last conscious hour was his old undeviating response to the claim of duty." With reference to the Archbishop's statement it is learned that the King did in fact make a mark on the document. As a signature it was indecipherable. A PRECEDENT CREATED LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 8 p.m.) The King's message to Parliament creates a precedent inasmuch as it was framed in the first person. King George's in 1910 began in traditional style, "The King knows the House of Commons shares his sorrow, etc." King Edward's began with " I." Parliamentarians detect in the change King Edward's simple yet dignified directness of manner.

" SQUIRE OF SANDRINGHAM " HAPPIEST IN THE COUNTRY LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at S p.m.) King George left home for the last time in the character in which he lived there, as " Squire of Sandringham," says The Times in an editorial. His life there was the life of a country gentleman among his own people, who saw in him a squire first, and King second. So it was at Balmoral, where he was laird. He was so much the natural thing that strangers were surprised at the apparent indifference with which people on thy estate treated his presence among them. King George was happiest in the country, living with his family on his own place among his own people. When the train arrived in London those assembled were awaiting, not the Squire of Sandringham, but King George of England. Not yet had the full pomp and state o'f the Empire claimed him. It was the King of England passing through the capital of England, where were Kings of England long before there was a British Empire, and King George was proud of his kingly office and his birthright as an Englishman.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONS DIGNITARIES TO ATTEND FUNERAL LONDON, January 23. Additional foreign representatives at the funeral will be.— Bulgaria: King Boris. Italy: The Crown Prince Umberto. Rumania: King Carol and Princes Michael and Nicholas, accompanied by detachments of two cavalry regiments. United States: Mr Norman Davis. Austria: Prince Starhemberg. Siam: Prince Chulachakrabongse. Germany: Prince Friedrich of Prussia (King George's godson). Egypt: Crown Prince Farouk. Turkey: The Foreign Minister (Tewfik).

Poland: The Commander-in-Chief (General Sosnkowski) and Rear-admiral Unrug and other dignitaries. Russia: M. Litvinoff. Spain: The Foreign Minister (Senor Urzaiz). Holland: Vice-admiral Schorer. Hungary: The Foreign Minister (M. Dekanya). Lithuania: General Tallatkelpsa (rerepresenting the anny) and M. Lozoraitis (Foreign Minister). China, Iraq, and Switzerland have specially appointed Ministers. THE KING'S HOME YORK HOUSE IN MEANTIME (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, January 23. An authoritative statement was made last night that King Edward for the present will 'continue to live at York House, St. James's Palace. He will use a room at Buckingham Palace for work. KING'S MESSAGE TO POPE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SYMPATHY LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 8 p.m.) The King has replied to the Pope: " Her Majesty the Queen joins me in assuring your Holiness of our most grateful and heartfelt appreciation of your sympathy in the great grief which has come upon us and the British people through the death of the King, my beloved father." THE PROCLAMATION CEREMONY IN SAMOA APIA, January 23. The Proclamation ceremony was held in the Administration Buildings at 11 a.m. to-day. The Acting-Administrator (Mr A. C. Turnbull) read the Proclamation. Then the National Anthem was played, followed by a salute of 21 guns. Ex-servicemen and the Samoan Police Force paraded. There was a large attendance of Europeans and Samoans, including the Hons. Smyth, Carruthers, Maleitoa, 0.8. E., all Government officers, and a very representative gathering of business men, clergy, and citizens, also ladies. The weather was ideal for the ceremony. NO HOLIDAY IN AUSTRALIA SYDNEY, January 24. (Received Jan. 25, at 0.30 a.m.) Following the announcement that King Edward did not desire proclaiming January 28 as a day of mourning, the Federal Government has rescinded the proclamation declaring a public holiday. Public departments will be open as usual, and the request that the day be observed as a close holiday has been withdrawn. Religious services arranged for Tuesday will be held and two minutes' solemn silence will be observed everywhere at 11 a.m. MONTE CARLO'S TRIBUTE

MONTE CARLO, January 24. (Received Jan. 25, at 0.30 a.m.) The roulette wheel at Monte will cease to turn during the late King George's funeral. It will be the first time in the history of the famous gaming tables that such a tribute has been paid. At 3 p.m. all play will be suspended, and the gamblers will rise and observe a minute's silence.

THE ROYAL STANDARD LONDON, January 23. (Received Jan. 24, at 8 p.m.) The Royal Standard was flown at St. James's Palace for the first time for 99 years, while the Queen's household flag was hoisted at Buckingham Palace.

THE KING'S FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS IN DUNEDIN HOLIDAY PROPOSAL ABANDONED In connection with the arrangements for the funeral of King George the Mayor of Dunedin (the Rev. E. T. Cox) has received the following telegram from the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage):—"ln view of the wishes expressed by his Majesty King Edward VIII, the funeral of his late Majesty will be marked in New Zealand- by the observance of two minutes' silence at 11 a.m. on Tuesday next. All requests for the suspension of business on that date are, therefore, cancelled. I shall be glad if you will take action to adopt this course. It is desired, however, that on Sunday next individual churches should hold appropriate services, as already requested in an Order-in-Council."

Mr Cox stated last night that in view of the fact that many thousands of Dunedin citizens would like to take some personal part in connection with his Majesty's funeral he had, on receipt of the Prime Minister's message, hurriedly called together the leading military officers and had discussed with them the possibility of an assembly of citizens at the cenotaph with some measure of military display. He had also notified the Girl Guide and Boy Scout officers of this proposal. The details, the Mayor added, would be gone into at a meeting to be held in his room at 10 a.m. to-day. In the meantime the public was notified that the two minutes' silence would be observed at the cenotaph in the Queen's Gardens at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, and he invited those citizens who were free to assemble there. He also respectfully requested all citizens to observe the period of silence, whether they were at their places of business, in transit or at their homes, so that the passing of a great and good monarch might be fittingly recognised. CHURCH SERVICES RETURNED SOLDIERS URGED TO ATTEND (Per United Press Association) % WELLINGTON, January 24. Mr W. Perry (president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association) to-night issued the following notice to returned soldiers throughout the Dominion: "On Sunday, January 26, all returned soldiers are requested to attend the various church services to be held by -their respective denominations in memory of his late Majesty, King George V, wearing medals and decorations, and as far as practicable going as on parade." MEMORIAL SERVICE AT WAIMATE (Special to Daily Times) WAIMATE, January 24. Local arrangements for a memorial service to the late King on Tuesday next were decided at a meeting of representatives of the borough and county councils. It was agreed that a service be held in Seddon square, or, in the event of unfavourable weather, in the Olympia Hall, and it was decided to invite the Returned Soldiers' Association, territorials, cadets, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, friendly societies, Masonic Lodge, Toe H., the children of the primary and secondary schools, and the three bands to form a procession to march to the service. Captain N. A. Rattray was appointed marshal o:r the parade, with power to call on any assistance necessary. The arranging of the service and address was left to the Ministers' Association. A GRACEFUL GESTURE SERVICE ON LINER MONTEREY SYMPATHY OF AMERICAN NATIONALS (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 24. A notable tribute to the memory of his Majesty King George V was paid on the American liner Monterey during her voyage from Suva to Auckland. The liner arrived at Auckland to-day, and the British passengers spoke in the highest terms of the manner in which their American cousins had joined with them in their mourning for the death of the Empire's Sovereign. The Monterey was at Suva when the news of the King's death was received, and immediately the Stars and Stripes at the stern were lowered to half mast. According to one passenger, the island lost almost instantaneously the holiday atmosphere, which invariably attends the arrival there of an overseas vessel. The following day, when the Monterey was again at sea, a memorial service was held in the lounge. It was conducted by Captain Johanson, assisted by three ministers of religion, and it was attended by all the passengers and officers. Although there was insufficient space to accommodate the members of the crew all work on the liner ceased temporarily as far as was possible at sea.

The service was short and dignified, and the fact that if was conducted by an American sea captain seemed to add to its sincerity. Prayers were offered and hymns sung and a short address on the reign of King George and the

traditions of the British monarchy was given by Br Scholefield, the New Zealand parliamentary librarian, who was a passenger.

An equally impressive tribute was the wireless message sent from the Monterey to the Secretary of State for the Dominions. It read: " Britisli subjects and fellow passengers, the captain and the ship's company' on board the Monterey, bound for Now Zealand, desire respectfully to convey to the Queen Mother and the Royal Family their deepest sympathy."