Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1928. THE KING’S ILLNESS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 18 December 1928, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Over 50 Years.] TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1928. THE KING’S ILLNESS.

The news concerning ihe King's illness is such that the anxiety has not yet been removed, and the whole British Empire is waiting with intense eagerness for that bulletin which states that all danger is over, and that Jlis Majesty is on the high road to recovery. The sympathy of the Empire has gone out to the King in his grave illness, llis Majesty has been one of the hardest-worked men in the public life of the British realm. With no part of that vast realm must he be out of touch at moments of political or other importance, and the increasing burdens enforced everywhere upon his Ministers of State —and of those at least the people generally are well aware —entail at least correspondingly exacting attention from the King, lie came to the throne at a time when a grave and urgent Constitutional crisis had arisen in Britain —the Parliamentary struggle of the Asquith Ministry, and then the trouble in Ireland, which nearly led to civil war in that country. Those difficulties died down before the mightier crisis of the Great War. From the outset of that struggle, the King and Queen led the way in every sacrifice by way of economy and personal effort to which their people were'enjoined. How closely the Royal Family shared the nation’s mourning for those who fell during the war was well understood and requires no fresh description now. it was exhibited again on last Armistice Day, when the King led the nation's homage to the dead at the Cenotaph, and, as is pointedly recalled to-day, stood bareheaded throughout the ceremony in showery rain. It was

noted that many in the crowd lield their hats above their heads to afford some slight shelter of the sort which the King disdained. The detail was an impressive instance of the King’s sincerity and devotion. The nation thinks the more of it to-day as a probable contributing cause to his illness, and it will enhance the popular affection and sympathy. The industrial distress during the depression of the post-war years has added .to the King’s anxieties. It is no secret that he has actively encouraged the interest of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York in furthering by such effort as Royalty may be allowed tin 1 improvement of industrial conditions, and especially the bringing about of a better understanding between both parties in industry. It, is by grace of such earnest sympathy and co-operation, and the consequent close touch with all classes of people in Britain, that members of the Royal Family move- about among those people everywhere with an unprecedented' intimacy and familiarity. Such familiarity enhances the national concern at this juncture.