THE QUEEN OFFICIATES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 118, 22 May 1939, Page 9

THE QUEEN OFFICIATES

FOUNDATION-STONE

LAID

NEW SUPREME COURT

FIRST REAL SPEECH OF HER

REIGN

OTTAWA, May 20

The Queen spoke publicly for the second time in her reign today when she laid the foundation-stone of the new Supreme Court of Canada, a task which, she said, "was not inappropriate for a woman, for woman's position in civilised society has depended upon the growth of law." .

The first occasion on which her Majesty was heard by the public was at the launching of the liner. Queen Elizabeth, when she spoke only a few words. Today, perfectly poised, she faced a huge crowd and a battery of microphones carrying her voice throughout the Empire as well, as the United States'; and delivered the first real speech of her reign in a clear, firm voice. l

It was the only occasion on which she.will speak in Canada. As a compliment to French Canadians the Queen made the latter half of her address in the French language, which she began to study at the age of four, and speaks fluently. The King was an interested onlooker. :

The Queen's blue eyes shone with pleasure at the warmth of the crowd's! reception and, during pauses in her speech, she broke into the brilliant and completely happy smile that has charmed all Canadians. "OUR GREATEST HERITAGE." In the English passages • the Queen declared herself happy to lay the foun-dation-stone of a building devoted to the administration of justice, with its addition to the group of buildings on the heights above Ottawa, surely one of the noblest situations in the world." Housing Parliament and the executive branch of the Government, said the Queen, there would stand "a group of buildings unsurpassed as a symbol of the free and democratic institutions which are our greatest heritage."

In French the Queen said: "In Canada, as in Great Britain, justice is administered according to two great but dissimilar legislations. In my native • Scotland we have a law founded on Roman law. It springs from the same fountain head as your civil law in the old Province of Quebec.

"In England, as in. Canada's other provinces, common law' prevails. At Ottawa, as in Westminster, both are administered by the Supreme Court of Justice. To me this is a very happyaugury to see your two great races, with their different legislations, beliefs, and traditions, uniting more and more closely after the manner of England and Scotland by ties of affection, respect, and common ideals;"

,Earlier her Majesty had'sat at the window of the Governor-General's offices in' Parliament Buildings and watched the brigade of Canadian Guards Trooping the Colour before the King!