"THIS DAY OF HOPE AND PROMISE"

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 98, 12 May 1937, Page 6

"THIS DAY OF HOPE AND PROMISE"

The Crowir Embodiment of Empire Stability MR MADDISON'S ADDRESS fIt is impressive and instructive in more ways than one to recall, as we assemble here on this day of promise and hope, that it was scarcely eighteen months ago that the whole Empire was strieken to silenee, and hushed with emotion and reverence, when the message came that the graeious and noble life of our* beloved King, George V., was peaeefully passing to its close," said the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddieoa, in his address at the civic Coronation service at Kelson Park this morning. "The reeord of the 26 years of his reign is a story of which the Empire is proud, and will ever be proud; for his truly kingly eonduct throughout his years set up a lofty standard for his sueeessors to follow. • "Little was it.thought or imagined at that time that the succession would not pursue its ordinary course. The . immediate proelamation of King Edward VIII. in January last year handed on the high destiny of the monarehy to one who had well earned his title throughout the world as the Empire's greatest and most distinguished ambassador and as the most popular and democratie Prince of Wales who had ever graced the dignity of that high ofSce. TJniciue Events. "But events that are now familiar to all destined that he should not beeome our crowned monarch. ,5 The month of December, 1036, will long be remembered as perhaps providing one of the most interesting ehapters in the history of our national life. Plans , were in course of preparation for his Coronation, but events ordained that ; his brother, the Duke of York, should succeed him, and now we are gathered to celebrate the consummation of a quick moving series of unique events. "It is with abundant reason* and justification," Mr. Maddison added, f 4 that we can join in the celebrations to-day with our hopes undimmed and our coTilidence unshaken. The crisis passed, and the British Monarehy again confronts the world a« the embodiment of all that is stable and secure aud vvorlh-while, and it rcmains as tho bulwark of . British Iraditious. And so, (adies and geullonicn, to-day is in every seiise of the word a ' crowning ' day in thc history of ihe pooples who Jive undcr Ihe shelter of the British flag aud undcr Ihe form of governmenfc represented by that ancient and venerable symbol. "From earth's wude bounds and ocean's fartliest eoast, the multitudes have congregated in the metropolis of the British Empire not only to pay tribute to one who bas fearlessly stepped out upon the path of difficult duty, but to recognise the strength and stability of British constitutional government. It will go down to history that even in the darkest days of doubt and dismay, the foundations of the British eonstitution remained unshaken and that the strength and skill of British statesmanship piloted our Commonwealth of Nations through the gloom and troubled . waters, to this present day of peaceful rejoicing; ;and the spirit of service remained pre-eminent within the hearts of the members of the Royal Family. 4 4 The Commonwealth of Nations constituting the British Empire was never more of a xeality than It is !n-

with in. world are linked by bonds of closest sympathy to all our brethren overseas — in a spirit of kinship, of brotherhood, and of common allegiance to King and country. Tha Spirit of Unity. % "It as worth thinking about, this spirit of unity that so strongly characterises our xace to-day. It is created neither by a blind worship of a dominating will nor by the fiekle dictates of the mob mind. It is a epiritual unity whose meaning can be bost reoresented by friendship, by godliness, by service, and example and duty. We are, in other words, a 'free people' gathered together of our own volition to stretch the hand of fellowship and unity across the dividing seas and to rejoiee with tho.se of our kinsfolk in other parts of the world who so freely and gladly rejoiee to-day. "To Their Majesties King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth this will be perhaps, in a sense, the greatest day of their lives, marking, as it does, not only the spontaneous demonstration cf an Empire 'e ' loyalty, but also the assumption of largo and heavy responsibilities — responsibiliti.es that perhaps are more exacting for them than for anyone else throughout the British Empire; for it has been said that we cannot find in all history a parallel to the position of King of England. "I cannot refrain from repeating the words of our beloved King George V.s when death 's shadows were overtaking him, because those words are so signifieant, and have indelibly dmpressed my mind. Those words were: 'How is the Empire V and the answer to that cxy and appeal comes, .1 believe, in the Coronation of King George VI., for this man, his son, indubitably possesses the character and the qualities of his father and of an English monarch. 4 4 And so the prayers of our people are even now ascending, on their behalf, from every corner of the world, and we can but join with that inighty host of well-wishers in expressing our own confident desires that the reign of Their Majesties, now so joyfully launehed on its way, may have as its accompaniment /cairn waters and sunny skies." All that is best in the noble traditions of England, and all that :s greatest in the rich heritage of Scotland, we see exemplilied in the double Coronation of King George and Queen Elizabeth. It is a mingling of hearts and a cementing of tradition that cannot fail to bring great aehievements. But their future, and the future of the Empire, depend for peaee and happiness upon the continued loyalty of the British people to the constitutional and democratie principles upon which the Throne is founded. All the present signs prove that it is no mere lip service that is being rendered to Their Majesties, but s an affection for them that springs right from tho hearts of their subjects. /

Second We given to the King and Queen during their memorable visit to these shores, abundant evidenees of our abiding loyalty and esteem, and to-day we recall with pride their visit to our town on March 4, 1927. 44 As a community goes, we in Hastings represent but a small speck upon the map of a far-flung Empire that now acelaims the inauguration of a new era in its history. But, small and remote as our community may be, it will take second place to none in His Majesty's Dominion so far as concerns its loyalty to the Throne and its desire to play the highest and best part within its power towards the furtheranee of the ends of British Imperial rule. "We all have a common desire, a eommon hope, and a common prayer. The tiniest tot along the Coronation Toute, who waves the smallest fragment of a flag, is of an equivalent to the highest potentate who xides in stately array. Therefore, let the children in our community remember that this too is their day of rejoicing. Most of them will live to see more of the future developments of Empire than will some of those older in years. And may I here repeat part of the message that the King sent' to school children on the eve of his departure from oiir shores on MaTch 22, 1927. He said: 4Our message to the girls and boys is to guard zeaiously throughout the years to come the honour and safety of the great Empire to which you belong. Bemember all that it stands for in the world to-day. Bo honourable, steadfast, and fearless'in your duty.' 4 4 And so again at is the duty of those who have reaped the benefits of . the beneficent rule under which we live to hand on the torch of faithfulness to the rising generation, whose work it' will be to preserve, in its turn, the heritage of freedom and justice delivered to them. . And so we will give thanks for tke dignity and strength oi mind of the British people that have led us to this day. "We can look forward with hope to the future," Mr. Maddison concluded. "We, both Maori and Pakeha, remember Queen Mary with hearts of affection, as we pieture her standing by her son to-day wi'th all her motherly influence and pride and queenly graee; and we will send our voices -across the seas to join the ehorus of rejoicing; arid with sincerity and with faith we will say: 'We wish them well. We wish His Majesty and Her Majesty health, and strength, and guidance to sustam the trust reposed in them; and long may the British Empire in their reign remain the "guiding star" in the interest of peace and prosperity and of com-^ti •'V titi.' "