Few At Birthday Parade

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31079, 7 June 1966, Page 12

Few At Birthday Parade

The hope that participation in ceremonies to mark the official birthday of the Queen would serve to renew and strengthen a devo- , tion to Her Majesty, a love of one’s own land, and a belief in the Commonwealth, was expressed by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Manning) yesterday.

Addressing official guests, a 100-man escort squadron from the R.N.Z.A.F. base at Wigram, and a meagre gathering of the public at a ceremony in Cathedral square, Mr Manning said the Queen’s Birthday was honoured because she was the personification of the State and the symbol of Commonwealth unity. Such unity as existed in the Commonwealth was founded on freedom under law and the belief that the machinery of state existed to be the servant, not the master of the people.

Today there were, no doubt, serious strains on Commonwealth unity, particularly in the changing political atmosphere of the newly emerging nations of Africa and in Asia.

Mr Manning considered recent visits by members of the Royal Family to some of the newer nations were influences

that could considerably strengthen the strands that united the Commonwealth.

Mr Manning spoke of former visits to New Zealand and to Christchurch by members of the Royal Family. They had given the public opportunities to see and experience the personal charm and deep interest which Royalty had in the traditional and civic life of New Zealand.

The escort squadron performed its drills with precision. The timing of the 21gun salute from a battery provided by the 32nd Battery, 3rd Field Regiment, R.N.Z.A., on the river bank on Cambridge terrace worked in excellent co-ordination and be-

gan its firing exactly as the Queen’s Colour was broken out from the temporary masthead in front of the Cathedral.

This year the Queen's personal standard, for use in New Zealand, was used instead of the more familiar Royal Standard used on previous occasions.

On his arrival at 10.30 a.m. Mr Manning, accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr C. S. Bowie) met the three local service heads—Brigadier T. C. Campbell, commander, Southern Military ■ District; Commander R. F. Sanderson, commanding officer of the Canterbury Division of the Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer

Reserve; and Air Commodore D. F. St. George, the air officer commanding Training Group, Wigram. After Mr Manning inspected the escort the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) offered a prayer for the Queen. Flying Officer J. G. Ross bore the Queen’s Colour, which this year is lodged at Wigram. The band of the R.N.Z.A.F. Station, Wigram, attended. The photograph was taken during the inspection by the Mayor, who is escorted by Flight Lieutenant R. K. Bracefield, the parade commander.