CORONATION NOTES.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 88, 17 June 1902, Page 5

CORONATION NOTES.

{Contributed.] The simultaneous celebration of a coronation and a peace is probably unique in English History. It is Certainly unique in the lives of each and all of the millions of British subjects who will be keeping high holiday next Thursday week Either occasion, indeed, would be well worthy of national observance ; and there is no doubt that the double event will be celebrated with unsurpassed loyalty and zeal. AH parties and sects will unite. Little Englander and Imperialist, Pro-Boer and Patriot, Kjvill sink their differences, and join in loing honour to the making of a righteous peace, and to the crowning of a King whose kindness and generosity. has won the hearts of all his subjects, and who is fulfilling the duties of his high offic? in a manner worthy of the best traditions of his predecessors, o o o o

During the recent peace celebrations, one cannot fail to have been struck by the splendid spirit that has been shown through the colony, as throughout the Empire at large. Nowhere has there been gloating over a fallen foe. Every speech*has been marked by a cordial and generous recognition of the merits of our opponents. That a contrast between the national feeling of today and that which would have prevailed 2 dO, or even 100 years ago, on a similar occasion ! At that time Patriotism to the ordinary home-loving Englishman meant not only love of country, but an equally hearty hatred of other nations’ countries. Then-a-days our statesmen, in the making of a peace, would have aimed at the increasing of territory and national prestige rather than at the securing of justice for a beaten enemy. Today in South Africa we have a peace which imposes no heavy indemnity on the Boer, but which aims at every possible reparation to him, and at the ultimate fusion of Briton and Boer in one great and loyal colony.

Apart from their national importance, public celebrations of great events are not without some influence •o us as individuals. It is at such t roes that we “come out of our shels” a id lay aside some of our English e. 11Oonversati< >n pnn e ; easily. The dignity of years and position is, for the moment, forgotten ; q’d and young unite in making merry; and surely not the least of the benefits of Coronation day will be the cheery word, the cordial handshake, and the bright smiles of our friends and neighbors.

In Motueka we have already done some little part in the Celebration of Peace. It is to be hoped that on the official day of thanksgiving and rejoicing, everybody will do their utmost to make the programme a success ; and to show that in loyalty, at any rate, Motueka is not behind larger places where the holiday may be celebrated with more pomp and ceremony. o o o o We cordially agree with those who have charge of affairs that on an occasion. of this "sort it is the children who have the first claim on our consideration. Apart from the mere pleasure that is always attendant on a holiday the educative effect of the celebrations «n the children and youth of the c >lony is bound to be- considerable. No time could be more appropriate for pointing out to them the meaning of I mperialism and for instilling into their mirxds the duties that lie before them ~ot only as New Zealanders but also as citizens of the Empire. The ch d en on their part are eagerly looVng f upward to the festivities; and in the

Motueka and Riwaka schools are busily practising a Coronation song “Hail ! King of Many Nations,” written specially for the occasion. The words are by R. C. Gregor y and the music by F. J. Francis, Mns. Bac., (Oxon ) Where looms in hallow’d glory the fane o’er Edward’s shrine, Behold a Seventh Edward of England’s royal line ! And in that grey Valhalla he mounts the ancient throne, While on his noble brow is laid an Empire’s \ golden crown. Hail! King of many Nations ! Our hearts are truly won, And millions with one voice acclaim Vic-

toria’s honour’d son ; From Britain’s rock-bound islands thy loyal

people sing, And mighty is the unison, GOD SAVE OUR KING!

And radiant with the love-light she sheds around the throne, Behold the Queen of Beauty, we proudly made our own ; Fair “ daughter of the Sea-Kings,” from out the Northern Main, And noble mother of a line of Sea-Kings yet to reign. Hail! King qf many nations ! and Hail! Thou Queen of Grace ! We greet ye from a thousand homes, from niany a clime and race ; The voices of thy people in grand crescendos ring, Majestic is the unison, GOD SAVE THE KING ! O, happy is the Home-land, her children close around, Through all her wide dominions, their loyal songs resound ; The glorious note triumphant, across the world has gone, The burden of the mighty strain, “One Empire and one Throne.” Hail! King of many nations! Our voices blend as one, Securely throned in our hearts, with love our King we crown ; And may thy sons forever the swelling anthem sing, And glorious be the unison, “ GOD SAVE OUR KING.”