N.Z. PARLIAMENT EXPRESSES SYMPATHY

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1948, Page 7

N.Z. PARLIAMENT EXPRESSES SYMPATHY

Tribute io His Majesty P.A. WELLINGTON, Nov. 23 ihe House of Representatives toUa.y expressed aiS Symptiiliy io tne King in ms iil-healtn m tne following terms: —±c is tne heartfelt prayer oi juur uutiiiu ana loyal subjects oi New Zealand that, with tne rest ana treatment, four majesty's neaitn will ouon be ruliy rescorea, and that the opportunity tor your peoples in New to express cneir luyany ana aevuuon to you and to the Queen will not be long aeierrea.” a resolution moved by tne Hon. W. Nash, and seconded by Mr S. G. Hoilana, and unanimously aaoptea, statea that tne members of ootn houses respectfully oeggea “to suomit to Your Majesty an expression oi our aeep concern at tne news oi Your Majesty’s neaitn ana our tun assurance that we snare with you, rier Majesty tne Queen, and princess Margaret the disappointment you leei tnac your visit, so greatly uesirea ana long-awaitea, must oe postpunea. We are conscious that, (.nrougnout tne wnole period of your reign, ana particularly uurmg uu anxious years oi recent world conflict, xour Majesty nas devotea yourseli m an unremitting manner to tne auties or your ounce, not only in tne Unitea rungaom, but tnrougn an parts oi your great Commonweaitn ana Empire, snaring always in a full measure tne buraens, responsibilities, and sorrows oi your peoples, mat this selfless service lor your peoples everywnere should have taken some toll of your health is inevitable.” Mr Nash, moving the resolution, said that it stated fully the deep concern lor His Majesty’s health felt by ail members of Parliament and all his subjects throughout New Zealand, in the Island territories, and western Samoa. “We have certain knowledge, nowever, that His Majesty can, as me happy circumstances of many thousanas of his subjects everywhere, count upon the best medical advice and care to enable him, with his own strong spirit, to overcome his malady. Not only does His Majesty have a title to our loyalty—he has, because of his great personal qualities, a special claim also to our affection. At the head of this great British Commonwealth and Empire he has given leadership of great quality, and in moral virtues he is an example for us all. In a long period of trial and adversity, particularly in the war years, he was ever among his people, accepting common sacrifices and dangers—an example and encouragement to all our people throughout the world. The monarchy occupies a unique and special position in the British Commonwealth. For all that it has meant and secured for us through long generations, we are deeply grateful, but when it is adorned by so gracious a character as His Majesty, King George VI, we are moved with special feelings of affection. This affection makes us feel all the more deeply the news of his ill-health, and gives greater urgency to our prayers that he will soon be fully restored.” Mr Nash said that a great deal or preparation had already been done for the projected visit next year. To all who had bent their energies in high or humble estate to make the visit a success and worthy of their cities, towns, or boroughs, he expressed thanks. From the statement issued by His Majesty from Buckingham Palace, they would know that their disappointment was shared in a full measure by Their Majesties. Mr Nash concluded with the sincere prayer of all members and of all the King’s subjects in New Zealand and the islands that the King’s health would fully respond to treatment, and Their Majesties and Princess Margaret would be able .to pay us soon the visit we were all so eagerly awaiting. Mr Holland, seconding the motion said that Mr Nash's announcement of the postponement of the tour had been a great shock to everyone. The disappointment shared by all was increased by the reason that made it necessary. He expressed the fervent hope that the King’s health would be soon restored, and that the visit, to which all looked forward so much, would not be long delayed.

New Zealand’s Sympathy

WELLINGTON, Nov 23. The following telegram to the King has been sent by the Administrator, the Chief Justice, Sir Humphrey O’Leary:— _ , “On behalf of the Government and peoples of New Zealand, its island territories and Western Samoa, I desire to convey to Your Majesty,, with my humble duty, the feeling of deep concern with which the news of your present state of health has been received. Though this involves the postponement of your visit to us and will bring disappointment to Her Majesty and Princess Margaret and yourself, a feeling shared by aL Your Majesty’s loyal subjects in New Zealand, the immediate thought and earnest desire of all of us is that with rest and treatment, Your Majesty’s health will be fully restored and that you will be enabled, before long, with Her Majesty the Queen and Princess Margaret, to journey to New Zealand, where the warmest of welcomes always awaits you.”

Mr Fraser’s Statement

WELLINGTON, Nov 23

Mr Nash announced that the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, who is in Paris, had issued the following statement: —

“I speak for the people of both races in New Zealand when I say that their deep concern over the statement in regard to His Majesty’s health will far outweigh their very real feelings of disappointment that they will, be unable for the time-being to welcome Their Majesties and Princess Margaret to New Zealand. The peoples of the British Commonwealth will be most distressed to learn that the strain of His Majesty’s arduous duties, and particularly his selfless devotion throughout the war years, should have exacted such a toll upon his health. , “The King has never spared himself in the most generous exercise of the functions of his high office and in his solicitude for the care and welfare of his people. His example and that of Her Majesty the Queen, in this and all other aspects have won for them both a secure place in the hearts of all their loyal subjects, whose earnest prayer to-day will be that His Majesty the King should soon be restored to health. “It will be the fervent wish of the Government and the people of New Zealand that the deferment of the Royal visit will only serve to increase, if that were at all possible, the warmth and enthusiasm with which Their Majesties and Princess Margaret will be welcomed to our shores when they find it possible to make their visit.” “There is no one who has read this bulletin who will not be filled with regret at the news of His Majesty’s health,” Mr Nash said. “The message I have just read from the Prime Minister gives the fullest expression to the sentiments of our people, their feelings of sympathy and concern for His Majesty and the mutual sharing of that disappointment which the deferment of the visit of Their Majesties and Princess Margaret this coming year will mean for them and for us.”