“RUHE SANET”

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13175, 6 February 1936, Page 7

“RUHE SANET”

GERMAN TRIBUTE. '‘KINDEST OF ALL MEN IS - DEAD.” AUCKLAND, Friday. “TTie kindest of all men. is dead. The Germans, in common with all other peoples, feel with unparalleled sorrow file loss of His Majesty King George V.,” stated Mr E, Langguth at a special memorial ceremony held by the Deutscher Verein (German Club) of Auckland, last evening. The whole ceremony was a heartfelt demonstration of the affection in which King George was held by the Germans, an affection which was emphasised by several speakers. In the centre of the stage was a portrait of King George V. draped with black and purple, and flanked by candles. In front was a frond of New Zealand’s fern and a magnificent wreath from the German dub. On the right hung the New Zealand ensign, on the left the Nazi Hag, both under a canopy of black draperies. Mr Langguth said it was through King George that the Germans who had been in Auckland before and ■during the war had been able to establish themselves again after the conflict. That fact brought him still nearer to the hearts Auckland Germans. “REST SAFELY. ’ “During the late war, and for a while after, the people of Great Britain and Germany were hurling bitter words at one another. However, never once did King George say anything derogatory of his country’s enemy,” said Mr \Y. J. M'Millan, vice-president of the club, who explained .that Germans and Rritons had an equal standing in the club. Remarking that of both peoples it was the soldiers who bore each other the least animosity, Mr M* Mi Han recounted an incident to illustrate •this fact. During an attack on the Somme front, said Mr M'Millan, he and another soldier had been detailed to occupy a post recently evacuated by the Germans. On reaching it they found a simple wooden cross with the identity disc of a British soldier hanging over it. On the cross were the beautiful words of a beautiful thought—“lluhe Sanft”—“Rest Softly.” It was that thought, concluded Mr M'Millan, which he was sure the whole German nation now left in thinking of King George. "W e are gathered this evening not only out of a feeling of duty and lovalty to his late Majesty King George \ T ., hut with heartfelt sorrow at the sad bereavement and great loss at the sad bereavement and great loss which has so suddenly come to the British nation,” said Mr M. Grapeniesser, secretary of the club. *T dare to say that this feeling is evident in all the nations of the world. SYMPATHY. ' e also sincerely desire to express to His Majesty Kiivg Edward \ 111., and tile whole Royal Family, as veil as the whole British Empire, of which the country in which we live, New Zealand, is also a part, our deepest sympathy,” concluded Nlr Grapenzeisser. The gathering sang the late King’s favourite hymn, “Abide With Me/’ in English, and “Ich Hatt einen Kameraden” in German. A t the conclusion of the programme Mu* Langgrnth called for three cheers lor King Edward VIII., remarking that “ho is a King of sterling qualities who has already given promise of emulating his illustrious father. For him, too, wo have love end admiration.” The proceeding closed with the singing of “God Sa\*o the King.”