Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1913. THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 13091, 3 June 1913, Page 2

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 1913. THE KING'S BIRTHDAY.

"A health unto His 7 Majesty !" Throughout the British dominions today people are celebrating the birtjidaly of the Sovereign. . Though on account v of •climatic conditions the holiday is not so popular in the Southern Hemisphere as the day ,in Novenibe^r which for so many years was observed as tlie birthday, of Albert Edward, Pyince of Wales, subsequently King Edward VII., nevertheless there is a very general disposition to do honor to King George. His Majesty is known to us more intimately than his predecessors ever were. In. the first place, a few years prior to his accession .to, the Throne, he paid a visit to these shores and obtained a first-hand ' knowledge of our affairs, receiving with graceful courtesy many of our prominent people. Our Ministerial representatives visiting the Homeland have always been summoned .to the Royal presence, and it has given them great pleasure to find the King: so well informed on colonial happenings and •taking such a close and sympathetic interest in the welfare of these Dominions, Then, again, there are, so many of our people who. now make their pilgrimage to the Homeland and have the opportunity of seeing the ■ King in attendance at various, public functions, whilst New Zealanders, npt so fortunate, have still the privilege of seeing his Majesty on frequent occasions, through the medium of tlie kinemato-r graph and, the, illustrated * papers. Thus it is tlint the King's personality Jials become known to '.us, and as we have seen him proceeding hither and thither on various offices of state it must be recognised that King George is a working Sovereign— one who throws himself heart and soul, into, the "duties and responsibilities of his. offiee. . and, always preserving his kingly dignity, goes in and out freely amongst his people. We have seen him in the last few months* aboard our battleship New Zealand chatting witli Sii* Joseph Ward, M r James • A lien , ■ • ?\I r Thom as M ackenzie, our respected representatives, and again we have seen him at the head of a column of horse leading the British Army 'in its manoeuvres *on Salisbury Plain. King George does not confine his energies to the merely

spectacular ; he is seen patiently investigating Home industries, visiting the coalminers, or showing a kindly interest in the poor and distressed. It is his very evident 'desire to set an example to his people throughout the world showing them that there is dignity and delight in personal service. King George is fortified by the knowledge that he has the loyal adherence of his millions of subjects. Not as other sovereigns, is his sceptre, held by overburdening authority. He is established in the hearts of )_is people by a very rfeal esteem for his personality, and by a, recognition' of the fact that his sovereignty personifies the unity of the Einpire. All sections of people in all lands flying the Union Jack look to the King as their hereditary chieftain, as the one who in a very real inanner by Itis influence and authority is guiding the destinies of, the race, who in any ti_pe of. stress .'.and danger may be trusted tp do the right - thing. Tfie King's influenee with ambassadors and statssmen. is always being exerted to maintain the prestige of Great Britain and for the preservation of peace.' Another direction in which .we must express our admiration of King George is the enthusiastic and yet at the same time systematic manner iu which he is training his young son to equip himself fpr the responsibilities of life whenever he may be. called to. take up his father's roffifce. By sending him abroad! to rub shoulders with the men of other nations, by giving him practical training in' the Army and; Navy and a sound, thorough English education, and by the promise that he shall, presently travel and learn his geography and history of t|ie overseas dominions at first hand,, we have an instance of wise forethought and_ consideration for the' future welfare of his son and people that makes us respect our . King. • , New Zealand has lately given an instance of its .loyalty touts Sovereign in its .splendid presentation arid reception :, of the . -Dreadnought,", dnd we feel Sure that all our people join heartily to-day in; birthday congratulations, and with accord wish His Majesty many happy returns of the da^*' :-' 7 ; \ -:. , - :