EMPIRE’S PEACEFUL IDEALS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20105, 11 May 1935, Page 17

EMPIRE’S PEACEFUL IDEALS

MEMORABLE PASSAGE IN KING’S SPEECH UNFORGETTABLE SCENES IN LONDON British Official Wireless (Received May 10, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, May 9„ For to-day’s ceremony at the Westminster Hall the King and Queen drove from Buckingham Palace in an open carriage, without military escort, along a route lined not by troops but by great crowds of their cheering people. The presentation of the loyal address from both Houses of Parliament was marked by quiet dignity and moving simplicity. It was memorable for another remarkable speech by the King, one passage in which was an eloquent vindication of the British Empire as a commonwealth of peace. “In these days,” said the King, “when fear and preparation for war are again astir in the world, let us be thankful that quiet government and peace prevail over so large a part of the earth’s surface and that under our flag of freedom so many millions eat their daily bread in far distant lands and climates with none to make them afraid.” The King’s voice almost faltered when, half-turning toward the Queen, who sat at his side, he said, “I have been blessed in all my work in having beside me my dear wife, of whom you have spoken so kindly.” As the King ended his speech the Lord High Chancellor (Lord Sankey) called for three cheers, first for the King and then for the Queen. Afterward their Majesties drove back to the Palace through large crowds who cheered spiritedly. Hardly at any time, day or night, has Buckingham Palace been without its crowd, and this afternoon, when the Queen drove out on a private shopping expedition, she received a remarkable ovation. The London crowds have been getting steadily bigger in the parks and streets and in part to the enormous influx of visitors. The authorities expect the Saturday night crowds will exceed all others. There has been no departure froirf good temper and orderliness. The police courts have had less cases to deal with than in a normal week and, as was mentioned in the House of Commons to-day, despite the vast numbers of people who have made use of the parks no appreciable damage has been done. Notably there has been no damage to plants ar flowers. Unabated Enthusiam The Jubilee enthusiam is unabated. The multitude reassembled at the Palace cheering, singing and repeatedly shouting “we want the King.” The demand continued throughout the State dinner. A terrific roar of welcome went up when their Majesties appeared at 6.30 p.m. and the tumultous cheering was renewed when the Princess the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke and Duchess of Kent also appeared a fid when Mr Ramsay Macdonald and the Dominion Prime Ministers joined the King and Queen, the crowd became wildly enthusiastic. The unforgettable scene lasted five minutes, the members of the Royal family seemed loath to depart and stood waving and smiling with unmistakeable delight. Even when the King and Queen went in the cheering was unabated, thousands remaining singing "God Save the King” and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” PRIME MINISTER’S TRIBUTE REFERENCE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS British Official Wireless RUGBY, May 8. In the House of Commons, when speaking to the motion that a humble address be presented to His Majesty to congratulate him on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his accession, the Prime Minister (Mr Ramsay Macdonald) said that the King had received in the streets of London a greeting which went far deeper and higher than a mere formal expression of loyalty from the people to their Sovereign. It revealed a regard and appreciation warmed by personal affection.

The words which the King spoke over the wireless disclosed his secret hope, Mr Macdonald continued. A very human Sovereign had taken possession of the hearts of his people. He had worn the crown not .only with the dignity and distinction of monarchy but also with the rectitude of a constitutional sovereign, solicitous to preserve the liberties of the nation and the rights of Parliament, and also with the consideration and care of one who rejoiced in his people’s joys and sorrowed when they suffered. No Mere Survival. There was a time, the Prime Minister said, when the Crown seemed to be little more than the survival of an institution—an inheritance of the past, a part from tradition whose value was to give some measure of support to continuity in the constitutional, political and spiritual evolution of the nation. “To-day these mainly intangible justifications are supported by others of more tangible character,” said Mr Macdonald. “The great dominions have passed beyond the colonial stage. Westminster is no longer their capital city. The evolution of their nationality has made them self-governing communities. The Statute of Westminster, which sealed their freedom as States, discovered and proclaimed a bond of continuing unity and that bond is the . Crown. To-day the existence of the Crown enables the dominion nations to be free and still united together.”