THE CORONATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1013, 4 July 1911, Page 4

THE CORONATION.

THE KING’S MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE. London, July i. The King in a published letter letter addressed “To my people” says : “Now the Coronation and its attendant ceremonies are over I desire to assure the people of the British Empire of my grateful sense that their hearts have beeu with me through it all. I felt this in the beautiful and impressive service in Westminister Abbey which was the most solemn experience of my life, and scarcely less in the stirring scenes of the succeeding days, when my people signified their recognition and welcome to me as their Sovereign. This was apparent not only in the loyal enthusiasm of my Coronation Day progress through the different districts of London, but also in the thousands of messages of goodwill which have come across the seas from every part of the Empire. Such an affectionate demonstration has prolouudly touched me and filled me afresh with faith and confidence.” The letter adds : “I believe this generous outspokeu sympathy with the Queen and myself is, under God, our surest source of strength, and I am encouraged to go forward with renewed hope that whatever perplexities or difficulties may be before me aud my people, we shall all unite in facing them resolutely and with public spirit, confident that, under the Divine guidance, the ultimate outcome will be for the common good.”

WHY BLACK TROOPS WE Rif

BARRED

The compendium of the Empire which was presented in the State procession at the last Coronation filled the hearts of thousands of stay-at-home Britous with pride. Our dusky warriors were a magnificent spectacle, but the after-re-sults were far from what could have been desired. Difficulties between the white and coloured races (which are ever present) intensified. Native soldiers were treated as equals by certain classes of the white population of this country —especially by the white women. When they returned 10 their own countries they became rebellious aud sometimes infuriated at being considered no better than than the dust beneath the feet of the white women who were there. For mauy years the India Office has felt acutely the problem presented by the annual arrival in this country of huudreds of Indiau students. Everyone remembers the assassination of Sir Curzou Wylie, one of the best friends of the Eastern races, and a few know that Viscount Morley, when he went dipping into bookstalls, or started for the saunters of which he is so loud, was constantly under the eye of the detectives till he left the India Office. Palliatives have been applied aud endeavours beeu made to provide suitable surroundings tor natives of India who came to this country, but the difficulty has not really been obviated. Men who during the course of their studentships or shorter visits are treated here as equals caunot when they return to the East sink back with tranquil minds into the position of inlenority the British there assign them. Stories of all that the troops had seen aud done when in London ran through the native regiments when the detachments returned from King Edward’s Coronation. So tar as New Zealand is concerned it is not much troubled with a native question. All those who have resided in our most distant Dominion have the highest respect and esteem for the Maoris. The only regret oi white New Zealand is that this native race is decreasing in numbers. In Africa the situation is very different aud very acute. The spectacle ot white women walking arm-in-arm with coloured men is at all times enough to disgust SouthAtricansaud Americans. The spectacle was common enough when the native troops were here. The Colonial Office would theretore seem to have acted wisely in discountenancing the bringing 01 natives to London for the State procession. The Government have also, as far as possible, limited the number of natives who will be here tor exhibition. Sheffield Telegraph.