RETURN FROM EXILE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25866, 9 June 1945, Page 8

RETURN FROM EXILE

THE KING OF NORWAY CHEERED BY THOUSANDS RUGBY, June 7. King Haakon has- returned to Norway after five years of exile. British troops were among the guard of honour inspected by the King on his arrival, states an Oslo message. He was offically greeted by the Chief Justice. the president of the . Norwegian Parliament, the Prime Minister, and Crown Prince Olaf. Their speeches were • interrupted by tremendous cheers from the thousands crowded round the reception platform. King Haakon said: ‘“On the ninth of April, 1940, I- and my Government had the choice of standing as defenders of the constitution or Defraying it. There was no doubt in the minds of my advisers: We-were all completely agreed that our defences could in the long run not hope to withstand the most powerful war machine in the world. But we wanted to be able to look our sons and daughters in the face and say: ‘We have done what we could.’ It was because of this decision that we refused to accept the German ultimatum. What later happened belongs already to history. “Many times it may have looked dark for some of you, but I never doubted that Norway would get back her rights. Norway has been violated without any provocation, and therefore I was sure the Lord would lead her to the day we are experiencing to-day. “That we now return on the anniversary of the day when the Norwegian people regained their liberty and independence (in 1905. after the dissolution of the union with Sweden) is to me a token that those who will come after us will succeed in building up the country again. But to achieve this we must continue to be united and to stand together in carrying out our great task. To achieve this I must have a united people, willing to take part in the great work. Let us realise that we have a very great and difficult job ahead of us—namely, to create a good and rich community for all good Norwegians.”