KING VOICES GRATIFICATION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 5

KING VOICES GRATIFICATION

SURPRISE ARRIVAL AT WESTMINSTER

OPENING OF FIRST WAR SESSION

ABSENCE OF PEACETIME PAGEANTRY

(Elee. Tel. Copyright.—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Nov. 29 ; 11.30 a.m.) ' LONDON. Nov. 28. The King to-day opened the first war session of Parliament without ceremony. The plans were kept secret.

The arrival of His Majesty accompanied by the Queen took members of both Houses by surprise. Their Majesties drove unobtrusively to Westminster in a closed motor ear with a police motor-cyclist escort instead of in the Windsor coach drawn by Windsor greys and were unattended by Yeomen of the Guard.

A few minutes before the arrival of the King and Queen, the Duke of Gloucester in khaki and the Duke of Kent in naval uniform entered the House of Lords.

The Imperial Crown, usually taken to Parliament in a landau with an escort, went by a police motor car. It was, as usual, carried in procession from the robing room to the chamber, the emblem being borne by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatficld. Although all the essentials were observed, there was none of the pageantry which attends .the age-long ceremony in peace-time. Demanding 1 All Energies In his speech, His Majesty said: “The prosecution of the war commands the energies of all of my subjects. “My Dominions overseas arc participating whole-heartedly and with effectiveness which is most gratifying to me. My navies throughout the world, together with the merchant navy and fishing fleets, are keeping the highways of the sea free and open.

“My armies and air forces are fulfilling‘their tasks at home and abroad. lam well assured that they will be equal to any efforts and sacrifices to which they may be called.

“The House of Commons will be asked to make further financial provision for the conduct of the war. Grave responsibilities rest on you at this time. lam convinced that you will express the nation’s resolution.

“The measures which will be submitted to you are such as seem necessary to my advisers for the welfare of my people and the attainment of the purpose upon which all our efforts are set. I pray that Almighty God will give his blessing to your counsels.”