THE KING AND HIS EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 244, 3 July 1918, Page 5

THE KING AND HIS EMPIRE

SPEECH BY GOVERNOR-GENERAL,

The difficulties that have beset the reign of Kin? George were referred to by His Excellency the Governor-General in a speech delivered to members of the Auckland Savage Club on Saturday night, in acknowledging an expression oi welcome and loyalty by the chairman of tho gathering, Mr. S. Milroy. His Excellency said thvy all looked to the King as tho great chief who guided the ship of State. King George had exncrienccd a more difficult time, and had a harder row-to hoe than any king who had ever sat on the British tliiono. tie had ascended tho throne at a time wnen many difficulties loomed on the political horizon. Those difficulties had not yet been overcome, and the ship of State hart vet to reach port, though he prayed Ood that that time would soon arrive. Ihe people of the Empire, who lived under a free constitution and enjoyed the liberties it conserved, looked to the constitution as the beacon fire that made life worth living. In times good or ill, though he did not govern as some kings did. the British King was still the emblem or tho freedom enjoyed by the children of the Empire. He shared with his people their joys, and in sorrow he was the first who tried to make the way easier. His Excellency said he knew that King George would have liked nothing better than to have taken his place at tho battlefront, either on the sea or land, but that privilege was denied him for reasons of State. He, however, made a point of seeing that bis sons shared the dangers and hardships of tho men in the field. His Excellency concluded with a tribute to the loyalty of the Dominions, as demonstrated in their war efforts.