KING GEORGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16811, 1 June 1926, Page 10

KING GEORGE.

A BUSY MONARCH. HIS DAnY? ROUTINE. The news that the Prince of Wales will in future assist the King in the vast amount of personal labour which falls to his Majesty's lot is a fresh reminder that in the words of Mr Lloyd George, "the hardest worked man in this country is the sovereign of the realm" (states .an Engtlsh paper). Fortunately he has four sons to assist him, and now that the eldest will definitely share his burden, the King, who is over GO, will have his task lightened. The war left its mark on the King. Apart from, the mental 'strain, a recital of what he accomplished is a sufficient proof of the physical endurance he displayed, lie reviewed 2,000,000 troops, inspected every division, 300 hospitals, 200 munition factories, presented 12,000 decorations, visited the front and the fleet .on many occasions o l ' action required, and finally to carry routine work.

To get through the amount of work which comes to the King's desk, a private secretary, two assistant secretaries, and a staff of clerks are necessary; But though they may relieve the King of a great burden of routine labour, there are many matters •of Slate which he alone can deal with. It has been said that the King manages public affairs as if he were in command of a ship. His training taught him to take in a situation in all its bearings, then to decide the course of atcion required, and finally to carry out the decision formed. Those about him say that though he is open to argument, representations, even warnings, and though he is not in the least obstinalc or self-willed, he is not to be "talked out of it" by anybody.

Perhaps the most striking fact about the King is that he is the one man in his own world-wide Empire who has seen it all. Many of the questions, therefore, that come before him, he is able to examine in the light of direct personal knowledge, and his knowledge of individuals is encyclopaedic. At a recent garden party he joined in personal conversation —not mere handshakes—with 3000 overseas guests. Seldom a day passes that some distinguished visitors arc not invited to luncheon, and in the afternoon there are social engagements to fill or ministers to be seen or distinguished arrivals to be presented. The King gives innumerable private audiences and in his engagements book days and often weeks are fully booked up early in the year as late as November and December.

Naturally the daily routine varies and is dependent in large measures on the King's place of residence at tho time. At Buckingham Palace he is •scry much "on duty." The whole morning is spent with his private secretary. Lord StamXordham, discussing a multiplicity of subjects ranging from a constitutional problem in some remote Crowu Colony to tiie question of a ponsion fur some uld retainer. Much of Hie routine which social custom demands must necessarily be uncongenial, hut occasions connected with colleges, schools, libraries, galleries, parks, municipal buildings, docks, hospitals and other institutions are welcomed ami studiously attended.

it ii;.d been the pride of his predecessors that every document,, commission ■ and uarrant requiring Luc Royal sign manual had been signed personally by the sovereign. The King achieved this task until towards the end of the war, when' the immense number of commissions and other documents became too great, and the inevitable facsimile was employed. The-Queen prefers knitting to ceremony, and the King likes a book better than bridge, and his children better than either.

Early rising is the rule of the household and the family breakfast is set for 9 o'clock sharp. Then the business of the day begins for all concerned. Much depends upon the programme, for not only the King's, but the time of each member of the family is carefully mapped out. Travelling brings little or no relief. A Cabinet Minister is invariably in attendance, and wherever the King may be, two King's Messengers daily arrive and depart with despatches. Not a day passes but decisions must be made a line of conduct or action decided on, and it is a remarkable tribute to the wisdom and prescience of the King that seldom if ever has the slightest criticism ever been made of his actions. Even a sovereign is permitted some recreation, and he seldom loses an opportunity of indulging in his favourite sport of shooting. He is reported, too, to be the third best shot in the Kingdom. Billiards and bridge do not appeal to him, but the theatre and stamp collecting arc his hobbies, and he is by no means averse to a full-blooded British melodrama of the old-fashioned kind. ,

He has his cigarette after dinner, and he is a confirmed pipe smoker who likes nothing better than to get into a dinner jacket and, pipe in mouu, work at his correspondence at li o'clock at night for an hour. That H his idea of genuine recreation, and significant of the strenuous day which a modern monarch must face in those times.