"PRIDE OF RACE."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1812, 26 July 1913, Page 5

"PRIDE OF RACE."

AUSTRALIA'S NEW OFFICES IN LONDON. FOUNDATION STONE LAID. SPEECH BY KING GEORGE. By Telegraph—Press London, July 24. His Majesty tho King to-day laid tho foundation stono of the Commonwealth Building in London. The gold trowel, presented by Sir George Ecid (High Commissioner for 'Australia) bo tho King, was of Australian black wood, ornamented with, waratah, wattle, and the arms of the various States. Tho trowel, with a mallet, is fitted into a case made of silks and oak. Queen Mary and Princess Mary escorted by tho Household Cavalry drove along the Strand, which was beflagged and decorated. Tho function was a conipleto success, favoured by sunshine, and tho Strand was crowded. Their Majesties wero cheered along the route. Tho Victorian office was decorated and beflagged. Sir George Eeid, accompanied by his wifo and daughter, the Archbishop of Melbourne (the Most Rev. Dr. Clarke), and the Agents-General of the Australian States, welcomed tho King in a marquee erected over the site of the building.

The King , ivoro an Admiral's uniform, and Sir George Reid and Agents-General levee dre93. Many of tho guests appeared in Australian uniforms. . Ties of Kinship, On the arrival of the King, Sir George Eeid presented an address to his Majesty on behalf of the Australian Government, tendering grateful thanks to the King and Queen for graoiously performing tho ceremony. Tho address tominded his Majesty that the new building would proclaim more than the industrial growth of Australia, and also testify to tho increasing intimacy and harmony of political jrelationship between the Motherland and her daughter. "Some ties had gone," continued the address, "but the ties which really unite Britain and her Dominions beyond tho seas are such ties as those of mutual betterment, pride of race, grandeur of tradition, glory of achievement, loyalty to the Throne, and a resolvo to stand shoulder to shoulder when tho King calls. These remain, and will bo strengthened by tho flight of time." Miss . Ada Crossley, who waa in beautiful voice, sang two verses of the National Anthem, the audience joining in tho chorus. Tho Archbishop of Melbourne offered up the prayer, "0, Christ! the one foundation, the chief cornerstone, bless tho laying of this stone- in Thy Name, and let it be the begiuning, increase, and consummation of tliis our work which is undertaken for the glory of Thy Name." The King's Speech, The King laid the stone, tho ceremony being followed by a fanfaro by the State Trumpeters, cheers, and coo-ees. His Majesty, in a speech after declaring the stouo to be "well and truly laid," expressed tho pleasure of tho Queen and himsolf at being present on such an interesting occasion. Ho congratulated the Commonwealth on securing the sito for a noble structure whioh would tako its placo as o. worthy and welcome addition to tho buildings adorning the centre of the Empire. It would call to tho mind of passers-by the immense opportunities and limitless resources of the great Continent under the Southern Cross. He oherished most , happy recollections of his visits to and the warmth of the reception accorded him in all the Sbates. "My eecond visit," said his Majesty, "remains an inspiring memory—when I was deputed by' my dear father to inaugurate tho first Parliament. ' Nothing gratifies me more than the testimony you bear to the growing sense of kinship and unity which pervades the self-governing communities of the Empire, and those indissoluble ties which knit them to one another and my Throne. I am well assured that in any national emergency Australia will be ready to play her part for the common cause, and that the loyalty of her sons will not bo appealed to in vain."

Tho King's references to Australia's loyalty wero loudly cheered. The ceremony was ended by Sir Georgo Reid celling for cheers for the King and Queen. lAfter the King's Speech, Mr. Lewis Harcourt (Secretary of State for the Colonies) read a cable messago from Lord Denman Governor-General of Australia. King Edward's Horse. (Rec. July 25, 11.20 p.m.) London, July 25. Tho guard of honour was furnished by King Edward's Horse (Oversea Regiment), and was composed of 23 Australians, 2-1 Canadians, 11 New Zcalanders, 21 South, Africans, 15 Anglo-Indians, 2 West Indians, and 4 from other Crown colonies. "A FEW YARDS OF ENGLISH EARTH." FOR OVERSEA DOMINIONS IN LONDON. London, July 24. The "Pall Mall Gazette," referring to tho scheme, outlined by Earl Grey, ex-Governor-General of Cannda, for concentrating tho offices of the Dominions Governments under one roof in Aldwych, beside tho offices of the Commonwealth, suggests that Britain should find the purchase money and hand over tho site. "If the Dominions desiro a common home in the Motherland, she ought not to he asked to pay for a few yards of English earth," says the "Gazette."

'NEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS. (Sydney "Sun" Special—July 25, 6.10 p.m.) London, July 25. The "Times" saya that fho King's Speech at the ceremony touohed the vory chords which those present would have wished, and conveys a message full of sincere affection nnd trust to his distant subjects beneath the Southern Cross. A vivid contrast is drawn between tho laying of tho foundation-stono of Canberra (Australia's now capital in the heart of tho bush) and the laying- of tho founda-tion-stone of new offices in the heart of the Empire, both within a year. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "Tlio one thing needed to raise the Empire above all danger is full naval co-operation in the strategio sense. Tho Commonwealth House in tlio heart of London stands nevertheless as a majestic token of fidelity to tlio Empire." Tho "Daily News" says: "Australia is tho most typically British portion of tlio Empire, rnoro English than England. In blood, speech, and habit, no oversea Dominion is richer in promise." THE COST: <C 207,000. (Rec. July '16, 0.2') a.m.) Melbourne, July a>. i Tlio erection of the Commonwealth ] Kmw \n J/oniitm will Mat ■ssoT.ooo, and. j will take two ycara. j