REOPENING OF WEMBLEY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 12 May 1925, Page 9

REOPENING OF WEMBLEY.

Attended by Large Crowds.

KING'S INSPIRING SPEECH.

By Cable—Fress Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.

LONDON, May 9

There were stupendous crowds at the reopening of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley, and the roads thither were blocked with traffic.

The Stadium was packed long before the arrival of the Royalties, which was heralded by a fanfare of trumpets and the booming of guns. After driving around the Stadium to the accompaniment of deafening cheers, the King, in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, and the Queen took their seats on golden thrones on a crimson gold dais. On each side sat the High Commissioners, representatives of the Colonies, diplomats, and groups of Indian officers in multi-coloured uniforms. The Guards of Honour came from the Navy, Army and Air Force detachments, from the nursing service and military and naval schools, anil Chelsea pensioners were grouped in the vicinity of the dais, and the whole made a dazzling colour picture.

The King’s Speech.

The King, in opening the Exhibition, referred to the wise and patriotic step of continuing for another year what had rightly been described as the University of the Empire. He declared that the Exhibition was a successful instrument of the policy of spreading a knowledge of the mutual aspiration, capacities and needs which were the foundation of goodwill between the constituent peoples on whom the British Empire depended for its security and prosperity. The King welcomed the overseas representatives and congratulated the board of management on presenting the Empire in a new aspect, giving a complete and vivid, yet fresh, picture. His Majesty said he was glad to learn that last year’s results were so favourable. He hoped there would be a continuance of the beneficent work of assembling the peoples of many lands to whom the Exhibition would demonstrate how many of their wants could be supplied from some part of the British Commonwealth of Nations, while we at Home saw the numerous opportunities offered by the great counties overseas to those wishing for wider horizons and new fields of endeavour. He welcomed the Exhibition policy of presenting these lessons in a lighter and brighter form, because those coming to be entertained would remain to be educated, and would return to be further educated.

The King said he specially rejoiced that housing had been made a central feature, pointing out that the foundation of the Empire was in the home, and that the provision of houses permitting of healthy home life was a matter not only of domestic but of Imperial importance. His Majesty said he trusted that the Exhibition at the close would have completed the task of showing the British peoples and the world generally a picture of the British Empire intent on aims of peaceful reconstruction and the careful development of its resources, earnestly seeking peace at Home and abroad. The King concluded by praying for the blessing of God on the Exhibition, which would servo to draw closer the bonds uniting the Empire, encourage the growth of commerce within and -without the Empire, and promote the prosperity and happiness of the world.

Rain Drowns Clergy’s Voices,

The weather was fine until the King rose to make his speech in the Stadium, when there was a heavy rainstorm.

A short religious service followed. The voices of the clergy were almost inaudible owing to a further torrential fall.

The rain cleared just before the Royalties left. The Duke of York, addressing His Majesty before the latter s speech, said the Empire representatives who were associated with this great enterprise took the occasion to offer their humble duty and hoped that he would long reign. The present Exhibition, while maintaining the same character as last year’s, would present the lesson of Empire in a new manner. The aim had been to provide not only a complete University of the Empire, but a great pleasure and recreation ground as well.