THE COMMONWEALTH

Otago Witness, Issue 3098, 30 July 1913, Page 27

THE COMMONWEALTH

NEW OFFICES IN LONDON. LONDON, July 24. The King laid the foundation stone of the now Commonwealth building to-day amid >a fanfare by State trumpeters, accompanied by cheers and cooees. After his Majesty’s speech the Colonial Secretary (Mr Haroourt) read a cablegram from Lord Denman. The function proved a great success. The sun shone brightly. The King laid the foundation stone with a gold trowel which was presented to him by Sir G. H. Reid. The Queen and Princess Mary, escorted by the Household Cavalry, drove along the Strand, which was gaily decorated with flags and bunting. Sir G. Reid, accompanied by Lady and Miss Reid, the Archbishop of Melbourne, and the A gents-general, welcomed the King in a marquee erected over the site. Twelve hundred guests were present, including the Austrian, Japanese, and United States Ambassadors, the Argentine, Norwegian, Greek, and Servian Ministers, Lord Strathcona (High Commissioner for Canada), Lord Salisbury, Lord Rosebery, Lord Lincolnshire, Lord Crewe, Lord Roberts, Lord Kitchener, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord Mayor of London, the Countess of Jersey, and the Countess of Dudley. Miss Ada Cross ley sang the National Anthem, and the Archbishop of Melbourne offered the following prayer : “ 0 Christ, the one foundation and chief corner stone, bless the laying of this stone in Thy name, and be the beginning and the consummation of this our work, which is undertaken for the glory of Thy name.” On the arrival of the King Sir G. Reid presented an address on behalf of the Australian Government tendering its grateful thanks to the King and Queen for graciously performing the foundation ceremony. The address reminded his Majesty that the new building was to proclaim more than the industrial growth of Australia. It was also to testify to the increasing intimacy and harmony of the political relationship between the Motherland and her daughter. Some of the ties had gone, but the ties which really united Great Britain and the dominions beyond the seas, such as those of mutual betterment, pride of race, the grandeur of their common tradition, the glory of achievement, loyalty to the Throne, and the resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder when lire King calis-r-thcse ties remained, and would become strengthened by the flight of time. The King, after declaring the stone to be well and truly laid, expressed the pleasure of the Queen and himself at being present on so interesting an occasion. He congratulated the Commonwealth on securing a site for its noble structure, which would take its place as a worthy and welcome addition to the buildings now adorning the centre of the Empire, and would call to the minds of passers-by the immense opportunities and limitless resources of their great continent under the Southern Cross. He cherished the most happy recollections of his visits to and the warmth of the reception ac corded him in all the States. He added : My second visit to Australia remains an inspiring memory of the time when I was deputed by my dear father to inaugurate the first Commonwealth Parliament. Nothing gratifies me more than the testimony you bear to the growing sense of kinship and unity which pervades the selfgoverning communities of the Empire, and to those indissoluble ties which knit them to one another and to my Throne. I am well assured that in any national emergency Australia will be ready to play her part for the common cause, and that the loyalty of her sons will not be appealed to in vain.” The Strand was crowded, and their Majesties were cheered along the route. The office of the Victorian Government was decorated and beflagged. The King wore his admiral’s uniform, and Sir George Reid and the Agents-general were in levee dress. Many of the guests wore Australian uniforms During the inspection of the guard of honour the Irish Guard baud played “ Land of Hope and glory.” Miss Ada Crossley, who was in beautiful voice, sang two verses of the National Anthem, the audience joining in the chorus. The King’s reference to Australia’s loyalty was loudly cheered. The ceremony ended by Sir G. Reid calling for cheers for the King and Queen. Other guests were the Marquis of Linlithgow, Earl Grey (cx-Governor-general of Canada), the Hon. T. Mackenzie (High Commisioner for New Zealand), Lord Chelmsford (ex-Governor of New South

Wales), Sir Rufus Isaacs (Attorneygeneral), and a great number of Australians. The handle of the trowel used was made of Australian blackwood, and ornamented with waratahs and wattle, and also with the arms of the various States. The Times vividly contrasts the foundation of Canberra in the heart of the bush with the foundation of the ollices in the heart of the Empire within a year. The Guard of Honour, King Edward’s Horse, was composed of 23 Australians, 24 .Canadians, 11 New Zealanders, 21 South Africans, 15 Anglo Indians, two West Indians, and four men from other Crown colonies. The Daily Telegraph says that the one thing needed to raise the Empire above all danger is full naval co-operation in a strategic sense, but the Commonwealth House in the heart of London stands as a majestic token of fidelity to the Empire. The Daily News says Australia is the most typically British portion of the Empire'. It is more English than England in blood, speech, and habit, and no dominion is richer in promise. The King’s references to Australia’s loyalty were punctuated with applause, which if contrary to court etiquette was none the less welcome. MELBOURNE, July 25. The erection of the Commonwealth building in London will cost £207,000, and will take two years.