THE LATE KING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 813, 10 May 1910, Page 8

THE LATE KING.

SOME PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. nsj Tslerrwh.—Press Association Christohurch, May 9. When asked on his arrival from tho south for his impressions of the personality of King Edward, tho Prime Minister (Sir J. G. Ward) said: — "Naturally I. feci proud and honoured to have had the opportunity on different occasions of being received in audience by the late King. Each time I was struck by tho kindly and considerate way in which the King atonco took trouble to put you at your ease. Ho was a fine conversationalist, and showed a most remarkable knowledgo of the affairs of New Zealand, public and otherwise. At each audienco he expressed his regret that ho had not beon able to visit New Zealand prior to tho responsibilities of his high station making it impossible for him to do so. One could not bo other than strikingly . with tho remarkablo interest, his Majesty took in his subjects in this distant portion of tho Empire. Ho appeared to know as much about New Zealaad in many respects as I knew myself. Ono loft his presence feeling the greatest respect for him as a man, and tho calm yet natural rlicnitv. not in the slightest "d&-

grco assumed, mado you realise that you had been with .a ruler possessed of au extraordinary personality. It is a. striking fact,.,aiid one that marks tho keenness of tlio late King in all portions of tlio. Empire, that only a short tiino prior to his death ho gave audience to our new Governor, Lord Islington. This confirms what I liavo just said regarding tho closo interest tho lato King took in everything affecting the well-being of the peoplo of New Zealand. I was also greatly struck by tho extraordinary grasp of what one may term the world's affairs which his Majesty showed in tho courso of conversation. Tlio death of such a monarch, with tlio knowledge and experience and judgment that ho possessed, is an incalculable loss to tlio wliolo civilised world." "I desiro to take this opportunity," tho Prime Minister added, "to acknowledge tho great respcct shown by all classes in this country od receipt of the news of the King's death. Tho sorrow is deep-seated and widespread, and characteristic of the veneration in which tho late King was held was tho marked way in which all engagements that in any way oould bo regarded as of a public or a scmi-public character were ceased. The same characteristic was shown by tlioso responsible for public entertainments, upon which a largo number of people depend for their daily livelihood. The tribute of respect and deep sorrow manifested is made all the more marked by, the spontaneity under■lying the action of the people in all parts of the Dominion. I have already Toceived hundreds of telegrams from public bodies and private citizens from town and country and from re-, mote places, and all voice the one sentiment—that of deep sorrow at the loss tliat. tho British Empire has sustained, and throughout tho communications there is a marked tribute paid to the peace-loving qualities of our late illustrious Sovereign."