THANKS OF PARLIAMENT

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22611, 16 May 1945, Page 5

THANKS OF PARLIAMENT

INSPIRING LEADERSHIP AFFECTION OF PEOPLE (OlTlrial Wireless) (Received May 16, 2.15 p.m.) RUGBY, May 15 Parliament’s formal celebration of victory in Europe came today when a loyal address to His Majesty on the j successful conclusion of the war j against Germany was carried in the j House of Commons after it had been j moved by Mr Churchill and spoken to by other representative members. “I do not think any Prime Minister ever received so much personal kindness and encouragement from his sovereign as I have," Mr Churchill said. ‘‘Every week I have my audience, part of which is occupied very agreeably at luncheon time, and I have seen the King at close quarters in every phase of our for- | midable experience. “I remember well how in the first month of my administration the King I would come from practising with a rifle and a tommy gun in the garden of Buckingham Palace, and had it come to a last stand in London—a matter which had to be considered at one time—l have no doubt His Majesty would have gone very near departing from his constitutional, correct attitude by discharging a weapon. Well Fitted to Lead “We have a King and a Queen well fitted to sit at the head of all the British. I have only one more observation to make. If it be true that every country gets the form of Government it desires, we may certainly flatter ourselves that the wisdom of our ancestors has led us into an enviable and inevitable situation. We have the strongest Parliament in the world. We have the oldest, most famous, most honoured, most secure and most serviceable monarchy in the world. “The King and Parliament rest fully and fairly on an election of basic universal suffrage. Thus this system has long worked harmoniously, both in peace and war, and I think this is indeed a fitting occasion when we should give wholehearted thanks to the sovereign." Labour’s Tribute Mr A. Greenwood (Labour) said it was right that the House should express thanks to His Majesty and the Queen for the part they had played—a very generous and responsible part—in this war, if only as an inspiration to the people. “One hopes the day may not be far distant when the Prime Minister will come to the House with a similar motion expressing thanks to His Majesty for the final termination of the war,” Mr Greenwood added. “I hope that day may be soon, but whether soon or later, we can rely on His Majesty at the helm to perform his duties with distinction and courage in the knowledge that there is love for him in the hearts of our people." Sir Percy Harris, speaking for the Liberal Party, said His Majesty had won not only the respect but also the deep affection of the whole people by his quiet dignity and devotion to duty, which had been an inspiration. Attack Not Escaped Time and again the King had visited their bombed homes, inspiring and cheering them by his presence and kindliness. He had shared the dangers too. He had lived in Buckingham Palace and not escaped attack irom the enemy. He had attended one Privy Council when every window‘was damaged and the council had been held under very wintry conditions. Britons had never been better led. Tne High Commissioners for Canada Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were received by the King and conveyed the congratulal tions of their respective Dominions to His Majesty. In an address from the Senate and : the House of Commons of Northern Ireland to the King today it was stated:— “The people are deeply conscious that new lustre has been added to the British name and that i in the fires of war we have forged new bonds of international friendship which will long endure.”