KING’S BIRTHDAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18345, 3 June 1931, Page 6

KING’S BIRTHDAY.

DOMINION’S CONGRATULATIONS. ASSURANCE OF DEVOTION. The Governor-General, Lord Bledlsloe, has forwarded the following message for submission to the King on the occasion of His Majesty’s birthday:— “On the occasion of Your Majesty’s birthday I beg to express the loyal and respectful good wishes of the Government and people of New Zealand, and to convey an assurance of their unwavering devotion to Your Majesty and the Throne and their earnest hope that Your Majesty may enjoy the blessings of renewed health and strength.”

NO BIRTHDAY HONOURB. NO OBLIGATION ON GOVERNMENT. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. No birthday honours are to be conferred upon New Zealanders by His Majesty the King this year. It is very many years since New Zealanders were not included In the honours list. The opinion in Government circles is that there is no reason why the advantage should be taken of conferring Royal honours twice a year if the Government does not care to forward any recommendations.

NO CHANGE OF POLICY. THE TIME NOT OPPORTUNE. STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. No change of policy is involved in the fact that no birthday honours have been conferred on New Zealanders this year. This was made clear by the Prime Minister when he was interviewed this morning. “No recommendations were sent forward this year, for it was felt that with the depression and the serious economio crisis the matter was one that could well stand over until the next opportunity—that is, the New Year,” said Mr Forbes. “We felt that with the cuts in salaries, the drop in prices, and the serious financial difficulties the matter might well wait. There is no change of policy involved. It is merely a matter of suitability of times.”