FOUNDATION STONE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 68, 25 July 1913, Page 5

FOUNDATION STONE.

COMMONWEALTH BUILDING •“WELL AND TRULY LAID.”

[By Electric Telegraph—Copyright [United Press Association.] (Received 9.5 a.'m.) London, July 24.

The King laid the foundation stone of the Commonwealth Building to-day amid a fanfare of State trumpets, cheers, and coo-ees,” (an Australian bashmen’s call).

After Hie Majesty’s speech Mr L. V. Harcourt (Colonial Secretary) read a cablegram from Lord Denman (Governor-General of Australia), The function was a great success, being carried out in bright sunshine.

“LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY.”

(Received 9.45 a.in.) London, July 24

The Strand was crowded and their Majesties were . cheered along the route; The Victorian Office was decorated with flags.

The King wore an admiral’s uniform. Sir, George Reid and the Agents-Gen-eral were in levee dress, and many quests wore Australian uniforms. During the inspection of the guard of honor, the Irish Guards’ band played “Land of Hope and Glory.” Mis;-: Ada Crosslcy, who was in beautiful voice, sang two verses of the National anthem, the audience joining in the chorus. . .

The King’s reference to Australia’s loyalty was loudly cheered. The ceremony ended with Sir George Reid calling for cheers for the King and Queen.

The guests included the Marquis )f Linlithgow, Earl Grey, the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie (High Commissioner for New Zealand), Lord Chelmsford. Sir Rufus Isaacs, and a great numbei of Australians.

The handle of the trowel used was made of Australian hardwood, ornamented with waratahs and wattle, and also the arms of the various States.

SOME OF THE INCIDENTS. (Received 9.20 a.ra.) London, July 24

The King laid the foundation stone of the Commonwealth building with a, gold trowel presented by Sir George Reid. The Queen and Princess Mary, escorted by Household Cavalry, drove along the Strand, which was beflagged and decorated.

Sir George,, accompanied by his wife and daughter, the Archbishop of Meloourne, and the Agents-General, welcomed the King in a, marquee erected iver the site.

There were twelve hundred guests, .including an Austrian Prince, the American Ambassador, the Argentine, Norwegian, Greek and Servian Ministers, Lords Strathcona, Salismry, Rosebery, Lincolnshire, Crewe, Robertsand Kitchener, the Archbishop :,f Canterbury, the Lord Mayor, and Countesses Jersey and Dudley. Miss Ada Crossley sang the National Anthem. The Archbishop of Meloourne offered up the following prayer : —“0 Christ, the one fountain and chief corner-stone, bless the laying of this stone in Thy name.”

THE TIES OF EMPIRE. The King/ after declaring the stone well and truly laid, expressed the pleasure of the Queen and himself at being present on such an interesting occasion. He congratulated the Com,nonwealth on securing such a site. The noble structure which would take its place was a worthy and welcome addition to the buildings adorning die centre <ff the Empire’s capital, and would call to the minds of passersby the immense opportunities and limitless resources of the great continent under the Southern Cross. He ,vould cherish most happy recollections of his visits and the warmth of the reception accorded him in, all States. “My second visit,” he saicl, “remains an inspiring memory, when I was deputed by my dear-father to inaugurate the first Parliament. Nothing gratifies me more than the testimony you bear to the growing sense of kinship and unity which pervades the selfgoverning communities of the Empire and those dissoluble ties which knit them to one another and to my throne. I am well assured that in any national emergency Australia will he ready to play her part for the common cause and that the loyalty of her sons will not he appealed to in vain.”

On arrival of the King Sir George 1 Reid presented an address on behalf of the Australian Government, tendering grateful thanks to the King and Queen for graciously performing the ceremony. The address reminded His Majesty that the new building would proclaim more than the industrial growth of Australia. It would also testify to the increasing intimacy and harmony of political relationship between the Motherland and her daughter. Some ties were gone, hut the ties which really unite Rritam to the Dominions beyond the Seas, such as ties of mutual betterment, pride of race, grandeur of tradition, glory of achievement, loyalty to the throne, and the resolve to stand shoulder to shoulder when the King calls—those remain, and had been strengthened hv the flight of time