SILENT VOICE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18920, 23 January 1936, Page 5

SILENT VOICE

EMPIRE MOURNS

'FATHER OF HIS PEOPLE"

MR. BALDWIN'S EULOGY

LAST THOUGHT OP EMPIRE

CONFIDENCE IN NEW KING

(British Official Wireless.)

Reed. 10 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 2U. The Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Baldwin, in a broadcast address to the nation last night, said that it was because King George served "his own generation by the will of God" thai news of His Majesty's death had been heard everywhere with personal grief, uot only at home but throughout the Empire "and far beyond its bounds. It was less than a month since the voice now silent was heard around the .world —the King addressing his subjects—the father seated with his family speaking to his people, members of his wider family, with words of wisdom, courage, and deep human sympathyIt was as members of the family that

they mourned to-day. After voicing the sympathy and affec Lion of the people with and for the widowed Queen, Mr Baldwin spoke ol the late King's personal relations w>th

his people and with his Ministers. King George, it was true, had inherited Ins position, but he won his own way to the hearts of his people. Behind the pomp and pagentry incidental to the Kingship he labored night and day doing "his duty. INSPIRING INHERITANCE

"I may tell you this," said Mr Baldwin, "the King was having brief intervals of consciousness during his last days. Each time he became conscious there was a kind inquiry or observation about some one. He said to his secretary when he sent for him: 'How is the Empire?' The secretary replied: 'All is well, sir, with the Empire.' The King smiled and relapsed anew into unconsciousness.

"During all that time, consciously oi sub-consciously, was manifested that love for his people, that care for the well-being of his family to which he spoke at Christinas and of whom the

thought was with him to the end. Not only by virtue of his office, but by virtue of bis person, was he the first gentleman in the land. We can best honor his noble memory by sustaining our King who assumes his exacting responsibilities. May God guide him aright and God save the King " Mr Baldwin, referring to the young Kin", said: "He is no stranger to public duty, but he is now summoned to face responsibilities more onerous, exacting, and continuous than he hitherto had been asked to discharge. He comes to them in the prime of his power, already known throughout the length arid breadth of his empire. His great gifts of mind and heart he is now called upon to consecrate to his people. He inherits an example of the kingly conduct of virtue, wisdom, and endurance. King George's reign was marked by far-reaching constitutional parliamentary changes, but he hands down to hiF son the Throne he received from his father with its foundations strengthened, its moral authority, its honor, and its dignity enhanced. It is an incomparable and ail-inspiring inheritance. The young King knows the confidence we all repose in him, and that the affection and prayers of countless multitudes are with him at this hour."

SOMBRE APPAREL FULL MOURNING DEESS SHOP WINDOWS DRAPED LONDON, Jan. 21. The first six months' full mourning means that women in court circles will be required to wear complete black ensembles, including black shoes, gloves and ornaments, with little or no jewellery except diamonds. One departure from precedent is that for the first time it is not compulsory for women to wear black stockings. These may be of gunmetal or other sombre hue, as a concession to modern fashion.

The prevailing trend of fashion is uninterrupted, though formal evening dress is less decolletee than ordinarily. Evening coats will be of black velvet, chiffon,' heavy crepe de clime or satin. Fur coats are permissible. Dozens of London women to-day bought complete outfits of mourning. The windows in many stores have been entirely re-dressed with black garments.

TERMS OF ROYAL WILL CONTENTS NOT PUBLIC LONDON, Jan. 21. The public will never know the terms of King George's will. An official of Somerset House said: "The King's will is a thing apart. We have no jurisdiction over it. It is not subject to probate or death duties.

SIGNING OF BULLETINS LORD DAWSON'S TASK LONDON, Jan. 22. Lord Dawson of Penn, who last night signed the death bulletin of the King, to-day signed the roll acknowledging the new King. His features showed the strain of recent days.

A Court circular says that during his last moments the Archbishop of Canterbury read special prayers and conducted a short service in King George's room.