AT HIGHEST PITCH

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1935, Page 5

AT HIGHEST PITCH

FERVOUR OF THE CROWD 50,000 FLOCK TO PALACE CELEBRATION CONTINUED SERVICE AT ALBERT HALL By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. London, May 8. Loyal fervour again rose to the highest pitch among 50,000 people assembled at Buckingham Palace, where the King and Queen appeared on the balcony, capsing the crowd to surge across the road, waving hats and umbrellas. The Duke of Gloucester joined his parents and the trio remained for 10 minutes bowing and waving to the crowd. West End traffic was as congested as ever, an endless stream of vehicles moving at a snail s pace. t Miss Betty Baxter, a clergymans grand-daughter aged 23, known as the “silver lady of the Embankment,” gave a dinner to 600 “down ; d out’ men,and women at Westminster Hall. The King upon learning that the 600 were drinking Their Majesties’ health in tea telegraphed his thanks. As they left the hall each man and woman was given a ticket for a free bed and breakfast. Miss Baxter maintains a free coffee stall in Trafalgar Square which nightly is a godsend to the destitute. The Albert Hall contained 8000 and might have been filled five times with those desirous of attending the united jubilee thanksgiving organised by the World’s Evangelical Alliance. Fifty clerics and Salvationists surrounded the Duke of Kent on the platform. Sir James Parr, Lord Stradbroke and FieldMarshal Birdwood were present. The fervent singing of the National Anthem led by a choir of a thousand, accompanied by the gigantic organ, shook the roof. •

The Bishop of Norwich, who presided, said it was a family festival of the whole Empire which was unequalled in history. The Duke of Kent read a message from the King, acknowledging the audience’s telegram of loyalty, and cited the .ling’s utterance that the foundations of national glory were set in the homes of the people. LORD BLEDISLOE SPEAKS’. Bish Taylor Smith offered a prayer of thanksgiving for Their Majesties unceasing service to the Empire. ■*\ i eldMarshal Sir William Birdwood read the lessen, Lord Bledisloe testified to New Zealand’s loyalty and .the Bishop of Norwich terminated a moving meeting with an act of homage in the form of an Empire call to thanksgiving. The King in reply to Herr Hitler s message said: “I am especially grateful for the riendly reference to the efforts of myself • nd my Government in the interests of peace. The cause of peace is extremely dear to me and is the constant aim of my Government. I reciprocate y-'ur good wishes for the success of this catu I trust that I express not only the feelings of my people but those of the whole civilised world.” . The King in a letter to the Home Secretary congratulates all cohcemed on the wonderful way in which everything was so successfully organised and carried out on Jubilee Day. The King stated that the Queen and he were especially pleased to notice that every house along the route had by its tasteful decorations taken a part in the outward'display of rejoicing and goodwill. , . eA. After referring to the work of the special constabulary and ambulance services the letter adds: “During the past few days I have greatly admired the tactful and sympathetic manner in which the police have handled the cheerful and go. 1-natured crowds thronging the streets . irrounding our home atfLondon and taking every opportunity of giving us an enthusiastic welcome.” The Tim pi re as a family of nations is the keynote of many editorial articles in the daily papers. The Daily Telegraph describes the King’s reply to the Empire au—-esses as one of the most remarkable speeches ever made by a British sovereign. “The words'will be quoted not merely by statesmen to-day but by students of history centuries hence,” the paper says. “It is a familiar truth that the Crown is everything to the Empire. Nc we know What the Empire is to the Crown. It is a family alliance for the maintenance of common ideals.” As was estimated, 53,000 Australians and New Zealanders are at London participating in the jubilee. Mr,. H. K. Hales will ask Mr. J. H. Thomas, Dominions Secretary, in the House of Commons on May 13 to consider organising an official welcome at the Albert Hall to demonstrate that their visit is appreciated.