King Country Chronicle Wednesday, May 11, 1910 EDWARD: THE PEACEMAKER.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 258, 11 May 1910, Page 2

King Country Chronicle Wednesday, May 11, 1910 EDWARD: THE PEACEMAKER.

"Lead out the Pageant; sad and slow As fits an universal woe, Let the long, long procession go, And let the sorrowing crowd about it grow, And let the mournful, martial music blow; The last great Englishman is low." Lines such as these, written of another great Englishman, are peculiarly appropriate to our Empire's grief and sorrow, in the loss of one whose short reign of barely nine years created for him the title of Edward: the Peacemaker. Our late King held no such opinions of his position as the French monarch who retorted to one questioner, "The State, it is me." But undoubtedly he viewed the kingly office as something more than a sinecure or a plaything. If he scrupulously avoided any interference in party politics, he used all the tact he was so well-known to possess, to smooth over internal difficulties and calm international relations. It might be held by some critics that this very ability so well used would prove a dangerous precedent in the hands of a weak-willed or strong-headed monarch. But we need not consider that point of view here. We know what constant, earnest thought to the well-being of the Empire and international relations was given by King Edward, and we honour him as one who, dying in harness, was ever anxious for the welfare of his people. He was more than a King, however, and it is just his many human qualities which endear "him to vast multitudes who never saw him in life. We doubt whether he ever had an enemy, and he proved this by the way in which he moved, not only amongst his own people, but in countries where no royal personage except himself dare stir without an armed escort. "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown," and of cares and responsibilities Edward the Seventh supped full. But the assassin and the Nihilist wreaked none of their dastardly work on him, and for this the British temperament and constitution is to be envied. He had a strong love for his people, especially of the poorer classes, and as chairman of the Housing Commission in his younger days, he showed where his sympathies lay. But it is in his attitude towabrds the world's peace that he will be most strongly honoured. He recognised that the Empire's strongest interest lay in peace, not necessarily at any price, and. to strengthen the feeling for a harmonious .settlement of international quarrels he did more, perhaps, than any living statesman, [t will be as Edward: the Peacemaker that posterity will remember him.

KIING GEORGE V. "The King, is dead: Long live the King." So goes the saying embodying the truth that the individual dies but the office remains. We know Jittle of our new King's character, bat what we do know is favourable. He is 45 years of age and in the pririie of life. As a lad of 12 he and his 'brother were sent to sea, chiefly with a view to the mental and moral training they would receive as midshipmen in the Navy. They had to perform the same duties and undergo the same dsicipline as every other boy. Prince George, for whom a naval profession had been chosen, was rapidly promoted in the service he loved, ultimately becoming post-captain. The death of his brother, the Duke of Clarence, in 1892 upset all his plans, however, and as next heir to the throne it was necessary he should take part in civil life. Accordingly he was! created Duke of York in 1892, and i married Princess May in 1893. He(toured Australasia

in 1901, opening the first Commonwealth Parliament. His visit to New Zealand in the same year, accompanied by his wife, was a signal for a most enthusiastic outburst of welcome from the loyal people of the Dominion. Our new Queen is spoken of fn kindly terms wherever her name is mentioned, and as Princess May she was long known as the victim of a tragedy in the loss of the Duke of Clarence, to whom she was first engaged. She has had a strict upbringing, her mother, the late Duchess of Teck, holding somewhat stern views upon a daughter's education. She is clever, musical and a lover of literature and rides an i drives well. Of her childhood she is quoted as saying "I was verj, naughty, very happy', and very uninteresting." She is a great worker, and this, in a day when so many titled ladies spent the whole of their days in amusenent and dissipation, is something to be grateful for. Our new King and his consort will receive the sympathies of a world-wide Empire in the great responsibilities so suddenly laid upon them. If character and rigid training in early life count for anything they will show themselves worthy inheritors of a great tradition.