KINGDOM-WIDE TRIBUTE

Wairarapa Age, 7 May 1935, Page 5

KINGDOM-WIDE TRIBUTE

To King George & Queen Mary. LONDON AND ALL BRITAIN IN GALA ARRAY. THEIR MAJESTIES’ PROGRESS TO ST. PAUL'S.

AN IMPRESSIVE THANKSGIVING ADDRESS. (Received Monday, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. The Jubilee Procession passed through a gala city, decked in festival dress on a scale not seen for many years. There was colour everywhere. How the spirit of the Jubilee has gripped the people is shown even in the remotest suburbs which had no glimpse of the King and yet were beflagged and festooned, displaying messages of goodwill. The decoration in every sense will provide a kingdom-wide tribute and thanksgiving, but London herself is ■the greatest blaze of colour. Perhaps the best impression is that immediately in front of Buckingham Palace, with the majestic Victoria Memorial regilded and glistening as a radial point of the decorations. It is both the starting and finishing point of the Royal progress. The procession moved along Constitution Hill, flanked by tier on tier of seats densely packed with spectators, up Piccadilly, ablaze with tnany-hued streamers and symbolic poles, down St. James Street to Pall Mall, where the clubs vied with one another in magnificent adornments, then to Trafalgar Square, past St. Martin’s in the Fields, almost wholly screened with spectators’ stands. SPLENDOURS OF DECOBATION. A real sense of colour began in the Strand, where, in addition to the Jubilee purple and old gold poles, there is an unbroken line of waxed paper garlands, happily rain-resistent, to withstand the wear of the next six weeks. The City of London Authorities gave the gayest touch of the whole London decorations. The City’s colours of red and white formed the theme of closeBpaced festoons, which were supplemented by Union Jacks and the City’s Ted-arrowed St. George’s flags. EvCry newspaper office in Fleet Street, even the foreign agencies, had special greetings to their Majesties. The unsightliness of the Ludgate Hill Railway Bridge was concealed behind immense paintings illustrating St. George and the Dragon and Britain’s sea power. The young art student executants had used colour and imagination in equal proportions. Behind all stood St. Paul’s, unemhellished except for the regilding of the Cross surmounting the dome. The return journey to the Palace was made via Queen Victoria Street and the Embankment. The latter’s immense width defied special decoration, likewise the stately piles of Northumberland Avenue but the most inspiring scene of all was the Mall. This their Majesties entered beneath the Admiralty Arch, fittingly “dressed” with the Navy’s white ensigns. The immense length of the Mall was flanked with wide spectators’ stands, fronted with blue and red. At every few yards were handsome masts, surmounted with a gilded miniature crown, beneath which was a plaque symbolic of some unit of Empire. Each mast supported an elongated, gilt fringed pennon in the form of the flag of St. George. It made a really charming vista, with the Palace as an inspiring background. DOMINION SPECTATORS. New Zealand and Australian visitors were scattered everywhere, with the exception of those lucky enough in the ballot to obtain special 12s 6d seats in the Government stands on Constitution Hill, or in the Mall. Of these, 140 were at the disposal of New Zealand House and 200 of Australia House. Applications for them were ten times in excess of the accommodation, so that a ballot ■was necessary. Their Majesties entered the precincts of the City at Temple Bar at eleven o’clock. The Lord Mayor was in *at.tendance. He presented a pearl sword fco the King on his arrival at the City’s western boundary, saying: “I have the honour to surrender to your Majesty the sword of ytxir ancient city, with a humble expression of the loyal and affectionate attachment for your Majesty’s person and Throne of all citizens.” The King touched the hilt and returned the sword, indicating that he wished it to be left in the city fathers’ hands.

SCENES IN ST. PAUL’S. I The Royal coach entered the square jof St. Paul’s, circling the familiar fctatue of Queen Anne and stopping at jthe base of the steps, where the Bishop lof London, the Dean and Canons residentiary were waiting. The King and (Queen reached the west door of the (Cathedral at 11.15 a.m., the clergy heading the procession into the nave, Where the King was seated. The Lord Mayor laid his sword on a table before Jtheir Majesties and passed to his stall an the choir. The space immediately beneath the dome was reserved for the (Royal Family and their suites, filling leight rows of seats. The congregation jof five thousand rose and sang the first .verse of the National Anthem as their (Majesties took their seats, followed by |the “Old Hundredth”— 4 ‘All People (that on Earth do Dwell.” The service Was then opened, the Dean leading the Responses, after which the choir sang (the Psalms. When the congregation Was seated, Dr. S. M. Berry. Moderator tof the Federal Council of Evangelical Free Churches, read the lessons, the first fehapter of Joshua, verses 7,8, and 9, ifollowed by Revelations, Chapter 21, Verses 10, 11, 23 and 24. Sir Cecil Bpring-Rice’s beautiful hymn, “I vow Ho Thee my Country all Earthly Things Above,” followed, to Gustav ■itot’s music, providing the happiest JTO*eduction to the Archbishop’s adiflress. ARCHBISHOP’S ADDRESS. The Archbishop said: “Twenty-five have passed since the reign of our beloved Sovereign began. Looking back, we realise, as he of all men must, Ithat more perhaps than at any period of our long history they have been years of almost unbroken anxiety and strain. They began with an atmosphere of embittered party strife. Into our midst came suddenly the fiercest ordeal the nation has ever been summoned to

face. Since then have followed years of toilsome effort, in the midst of a world restless and bewildered and broken by the shock of war, to revive the trade and industry on which the lives of multitudes depend, and to find a basis of settled peace. Yet beneath the troubled surface there has been in the life of the nation a deep underflow of spirit of unity, confidence and steadfast strength. That spirit found its centre in the Throne. Elsewhere ancient monarchies have been swept away by the storms of revolution. Here the Throne has been established in ever-stronger security. Across the seas, during these twenty-five years, the attainment of full nationhood by the great Dominions has been acknowledged. The Empire has become a fellowship of self-governing peoples. Yet their freedom has not lessened, but has strengthened their loyalty to the one Commonwealth.

UNDERSTANDING AND TRUST. “His subjects have discovered in their Sovereign a man they could understand, respect and trust. They have seen in him a quiet dignity worthy of his high office and with it an unaffected friendliness. They have seen his constant care of their welfare and unselfish devotion to their service. In times of crisis, before, during and after the war they have found in his calmness, steadfastness and inspiration an example. They have rejoiced in his association with their sports and pleasures; yet they have felt that his life was founded, as they instinctively desire the life of themselves and their country to be founded, on faith in and fear of God. Thus, in passing years, he has come to be not only a King, but a father to hie people. We uplift our eyes unto the Hill whence comes the Help by which both he and his people have been sustained—to that high region, where, above the mists and clouds surrounding us, the Will of God, silent, patient and sure reigns. As we lift our hearts in thanksgiving, let us bow in humble prayer for the King and Queen that God may continue to bestow His blessing upon them; for'us all that He pardon the sins we have committed, and the chances we have lost; pray for our dear land, for the Empire which has grown round it, that by God’s help they uphold before the world the cause of peace among the nations, the principles of liberty, justice and the example of a community in which all citizens are willing servants of the commonweal. May we as a people, through all the fleeting shadows of time, see and follow the Light which comes from that Eternal City whose maker and builder is God. When we have thus presented our vows and prayers for King and Country before the Throne of our Father’s God, we close our thanksgiving by singing old, time-honoured words, and within them to-day we shall concentrate the gratitude, hopes and loyalty of our hearts—God save the King.”

Doddridge’s hymn, “God of Jacob,” followed. Then the congregation, still standing, was invited to offer thanksgiving. This was followed by a specially written thanksgiving by the Bishop of London, all kneeling. The Suffrage’s prayers, spoken by Canon Foxell, followed, the keynote of which was that God should send the King help from His holy place, endue ministers with righteousness and give peace in our time. After that followed prayers for blessing upon the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales and all the Royal Family, that “protected by Thy Power and crowned with Thy gracious and endless favour, they may long continue in peace, safety, joy and honour.” After the Lord’s Prayer, the Archbishop of London and other clergy were conducted to the Sanctuary, where a Te Deum was sung to the music of Dr. Marchant, the present organist of St. Paul’s. The service concluded, all kneeling, with the Archbishop bestowing a blessing and the congregation rising to say the first and third verses of the National Anthem. The Archbishop was then conducted from the Sanctuary by the Cathedral Choir, the clergy passing to the south aisle, while the Bishop of London, the Dean and Canons escorted their Majesties to the west door, preceded by the Lord Mayor. Meanwhile, the congregation remained in their places until the Sovereign’s coach left the Cathedral steps for the return journey to Buckingham Palace.

MILITARY PAGEANT.

THE ARMY’S PBE-WAB GLORIES. BRILLIANT UNIFORMS. (Received Monday, 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. The procession, emerging from the Palace, passed round the Victoria Memorial, where the massed bands of the Guards played the National Anthem as a triple guard of honour—the Navy, Army and Air Force—presented arms in the Royal Salute. The uniforms of the sailors in their historic naval blue, the tall Guardsmen in scarlet and the Air Force in modern grey blending behind the flashing bayonets, while the Guards in their bearskins, lining the roadway, relieved with scarlet splashes the dark masses of the throngs pacing the pavements. The Royal procession was a miniature pageant of the Army’s pre-war glories. It was headed by the Queen’s Royal Lancers, with pennons fluttering above blue and scarlet uniforms, followed by a squadron of three hussar regiments,

their blue tunics braided with gold, with scarlet and white busby bags. Then rode a squadron of dragoons in scarlet tunics and brass helmets, with dancing horsehair plumes. This squadron included the Queen’s Bays, so called from the colour of their chargers. Then, amid a rumble of gun-wheels and rattle of harness chains, came a six-gun battery of the Royal Horse Artillery, one of the few not yet mechanised, providing with its beautiful horses and mounted gun teams in scarlet, blue and gold, one of the finest pictures a military artist could desire. Thereafter the glitter of breastplates denoted the approach of the Sovereign’s escort of Life Guards, preceding their Majesties in their golden State coach, drawn by six greys caparisioned with crimson harness, with purple rosettes on the bridles and purple ribbons plaited in their manes and tails and ridden by trim, scarlet-coated, white-wigged jockey-capped postillions. The King’s coach was followed by five others with Court officials and ladies. The Dominion Premiers and their wives rode in carriages, Mrs. Forbes wearing black georgette lace, ermine furs and black hat. In St. Paul’s, the Dominion Premiers sat in front seats under the north dome.

A GOLDEN DAY.

OUTPOURING OF THE NATION’S AFFECTION. HIS MAJESTY DEEPLY MOVED. (Received Monday, 11.56 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. To London’s brilliant pageantry, nature set a gorgeous blue unclouded canopy* It was indeed a Silver Jubilee with a golden setting. The whole route from the Palace to St. Paul’s was wedged with a goodnatured mass of humanity, so wellbehaved that the troops and police flanking the Royal progress were almost superfluous. The cheers of the vast crowd as the Royal carriage emerged from the Palace were the most deep-felt and enthusiastic that had ever greeted their Majesties. The King seemed almost awed by the tremendous demonstration. He smiled a little wanly and appeared to be moved to the heart by the greatest welcome of his reign. The Queen was more self-possessed. Smiling and gracious, she bowed slightly to right and left as the carriage moved forward. As they progressed up Constitution Hill, their Majesties looked radiantly happy and seemed to know that the stupendous welcome was more than an expression of holiday happiness and was a great outpouring of the nation’s affection. The King wore a scarlet and gold Field-Marshal’s uniform. The Queen carried a bouquet of red, white and blue roses and cornflowers, sent by the Worshipful Company of Gardeners in the early morning.

AT ST. PAUL’S.

BACKGROUND FOB BRILLIANT PAGEANTRY. RETURN TO THE PALACE. (Received This Day, 1.5 a.m.) LONDON, May 6. The Prince of Wales wore the uniform of Colonel-iTrChief of the Welsh Guards. It seemed that the mighty volume of sound did not die throughout the morning. As soon as the cheering subsided on one portion of the route it was taken up with even greater enthusiasm in. another. A fanfare of trumpets greeted their Majesties at St. Paul’s as they descended from their landau. The King took the Queen’s arm and guided her slowly up the red-carpeted steps, followed by the Maharajahs of Bikaner, Patiala and Kashmir, picturesquely attired in Eastern dress. It was the most brilliant scene of the procession. The unadorned stone cathedral, weathered by centuries, made a perfect background for gold-uniformed heralds and Yeomen of the Guard in archaic Tudor dress. The interior of the Cathedral was a shrine of Empire. The cheering seemed like a murmer of the distant sea as the rich organ music filled the vast church, rose and fell along the colonnades and died in the vaulted roof. Renewed and unrestrained cheering greeted their Majesties throughout the return route to Buckingham Palace and continued long afterwards.

SOME INCIDENTS. DECORATIONS ON FIRE IN SOHO. (Received Monday, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, May 6. When the decorations in Soho caught fire, firemen had difficulty in reaching the scene, but the burping festoons were quickly removed and replaced. Ludgate Circus, one of the most animated spots, was the scene of an amusing contretemps, a glittering Army bandsman having the tail of a prancing police horse entangled in his bassoon. The first official procession fro begin was the Speaker, accompanied by the Sergeant-at-Arms, who left the House of Commons at 9.40 in an ancient coach. Its driver, Walter Hart, in everyday life a brewer’s drayman, to-day was resplendent in a three-cornered hat, full-bottomed wig, buff coat and blue plush breeches. Hart otherwise probably felt at home, for his team were regular brewers’ horses. A banner across Fleet Street, inscribed, “Long May they Reign” suddenly changed its character as their Majesties passed, an outer portion falling away and revealing, “Workers of all Lands Unite,” and the sign of the hammer and sickle. Men and women immediately tore down the banner. The police visited the building from which it was suspended. The reverse side of the banner revealed: “The

Glorious Reign of Unemployment, Hunger and War.” The remains of the banner will be burned in the Hyde Park bonfire to-night.

HITLER’S GOOD WISHES. APPRECIATION OF EFFORTS FOR PEACE 1 . BERLIN, May 5. Herr Hitler, the Fuhrer and Chancellor, has telegraphed to King George his sincere good wishes, adding his appreciation of the efforts of the King and of the British Government to secure peace in Europe. (Another message relating to the celebrations in London appears on Page 3.)