King Pledges His Service to the Empire

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 99, 13 May 1937, Page 4

King Pledges His Service to the Empire

— Press Apsn,

CORONATION BR0ADCAST

(By Telegraph-

— Copyrisht.t

WNDQN, II The King, in his broadcast to the Empire, said: "It is tuith a very fall heart that I speak to you tonight Never before has anewly-crowned Kingbeen able to talk to all his subjects in their own homes on the day of his Coronation; never has the cereipony had SO ipide q significance, far ihe Daminfam are now free and equal pgrtners with this ancient Kingdom . I felt this morning that the whole j Empire was in very truth gathered within the watis of WesU minster Abhey . "I rejoice," His Ma.jesty added, "that I pan now speak to ymi all, wherever you may be gathering, old friends in distant lands, and, I hope, new friends. in those parts whefe it has not yet been my good fortune to go. In this personal way the Queen and I wish healtji apd happiness to you all, and we do not forget, at this time of celebration, those living under the shadow of siekness and distress. Their example of courage and good citizenship is always beforp us, and to them I would send a special message of sympathy and good eheer. "I cannot find words with which to thank you for your love and loyalty to the Queen and myself. Your goodwill in the streets to-day, your countless messages from overseas and from every luarter of these islands, have filled our hearts to overflowing. "I only say this: that if in the coming years I can show my gratitude in service to you, that way above all others I should ehoosA "To many milliong the Crown is a symhol of unity. By the grace of God and by the will of the free peoples of the British Oommonwealth I have assumed tjiat Crown. In me, as your King? is vested for a time the duty of maintaining i|s honour and integ?ity, This is a graye and cpnstant responsibility, but it has given me confidence to see your representatives around me in the AbBey and to knojf? that you, too, were enabled tq join in the infinitely beautiful ceremonial. Its outward forms epme down from distant time, bnt its inner meamng is a message always new. "The highest pf all distipctions is service to others, and to the ministry of kingship I haye in your hearing dedicated myself, with the Qpeen at my side, in word? of deepest spleninity. We will, Qod helping n§, faithfnlly digcharge our trust." "Those of you who are children now will, I hope, retain the memory of a day of carefree happiness sueh as I still have of the day of my grandfather's Coronation. In the years to come spme of yoii will travel from one part of the Commonwealth to another and, leaving those within the family circle, will meet many whose thoughts are coloured hy the same memories and whose hearts unite in devption to our eommon heritage. You will learn, I hope, how much our free association means to us and hpw much our friendship to each other and all other nations on earth could help the cause of peace and progress. "The Queen and I," His Majesty concluded, "will always keep in our hearts the inspiration pf this day. May we ever be worthy of the goodwill which, I am. proud to think, surrounds us at the outset of my reign. I thank you from my heart. And may God bless you."