BROADCAST TO THE EMPIRE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 295, 14 December 1936, Page 8

BROADCAST TO THE EMPIRE

SPEECH BY THE LATE KING DECISION DEEMED BEST FOR ALL DESIRE STILL TO SERVE EMPIRE LONDON, Dec. 11. The late King Edward broadcast to the Empire from the Daventry station at 10 p.m., his speech lasting for seven minutes. The opening words of the announcer were: This is Windsor Castle. His Royal Highness Prince Edward. The speech was as follows — “At last lam able to say a few words of my own. 1 have never wanted to withhold anything, but until now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to speak. I discharged my last duty as King-Emperor a few hours ago. “Now that I have been succeeded by my brother the Duke of York, my first words must be to declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. “You all know the reasons which impelled me to renounce the Throne, but 1 want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget that country or the Empire which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for 25 years tried to serve, but you must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as you would wish me to do without the help and support of the woman I love. “I want you to know that the decision I have made has been mine, and mine alone. This was a thing I had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most nearly concerned had tried up to the last to persuade me to take a different course. “I have made this most serious decision of my life only upon that single thought of what would in the end be the best for ail. This decision has been made less difficult to me by the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long training in the nublic affairs of this country and with his fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith without interruption or injury to the life and progress of the Empire. He has one matchless blessing that is enjoyed by so many of you and has not been bestowed on me—a happy home with a wife and children. “During these hard days I have been comforted by Her Majesty my mother, my family, and the Ministers of the Crown, particularly the Prime Minister. They have always treated me with full consideration, and there has never been any constitutional difference between me and them or between me and Parliament. Having been bred in constitutional traditions by my fathsr. I should never have allowed such an issue to arise. Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later when I occupied the Throne, I have been treated with kindness by all classes of the people wherever I have lived or journeyed throughout the Empire. For that lam very grateful. “I now quit altogether public affairs and lay down mv burden. It may be some time before I return to mv native land, hot I shall always follow the fortunes of the British race and nf the Empire with profound interest. If at any time in the future I can be found of service to His Majesty in my private station I shall not fad. “Now that we ah have a new King I wish him and you. his people, hanpiness and prosperity with al! my hear 4. Cpd b'r"s you ?H. God Save the King.” This concluded the broadcast. It is understood that the question of the late King Edwards broadcast will be raised in a debate on the Broadcasting Corporation’s charter in the House of Commons this week.