IDEALS OF UNITY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1019, 9 July 1930, Page 9

IDEALS OF UNITY

KING’S FERVENT PLEA ON INDIA’S BEHALF PALATIAL SUITE OPENED Eritish Official Wireless Reed. 12.35 p.m. RUGBY. Tuesday. Amid scenes of great splendour, the King-Emperor formally opened India House today. Magnificent uniforms aud dresses were worn by Indian Princes and Princesses and other distinguished visitors who attended the function. The Prime Minister and several Cabinet Ministers were present and also Lord Chelmsford and the Marquess of Reading, two former Viceroys, and Sir John Simon, chairman of the Indian Commission. The King and Queen, who drove in an open carriage with outriders through the crowded streets, were welcomed on their arrival by the Indian High Commissioner and accepted a gold key from the architect. Sir Herbert Baker. Having unlocked the door, the King handed the key to the High Commissioner and entered the building. The interior of the building is designed on palatial lines, in which rare Indian woods, rich oriental carvings and inlay work in coloured marble play an important part. On the marble floor of the eutrance hall symbols of the Indian provinces are inlaid, and these are repeated in the carved white marble balustrade of the gallery above. IMPRESSIVE SPEECH The library, in which the guests were assembled, has an arched ceiling, and is panelled in rich red Indian timbers. The premises will serve as the headquarters for the High Commissioner, the importance of whose duties has steadily expanded since his office was created in 1919. The King's speech, in formally declaring the building open, was broadcast and relayed in several distant countries, in many of which, according to Press reports, the reception was excellent. In an impressive passage the King referred to the present situation iu India. He said: "At this critical period of India's history, when the thoughts of all who love that countryare centred on constructive effort and on laying well and truly the foundation of the India of the future, I regard it as a happy augury that we are able to open a building which marks the end of one period of advancement and the beginning of a new. TWOFOLD IDEAL “But India House stands for more than that. As I look around me, I see emblems of religious provinces and the States of India. The building which contains them surely testifies to the unity of India in herself. The position of India House among those of her sister nations here in the centre of my capital further symbolises the unity of the greater commonwealth of which she is a part. "For the deeper realisation of that twofold unity I most earnestly pray. During recent months I have watched with an anxious heart the troubleous passage of events. Trusting in Divine guidance. I hopefully await the day that shall restore the gift of true understanding and thus unite every race and creed in one . desire to bring peace and content- | ment to my Indian people.” COST £324,000 After receiving officials and the foremen engaged in the erection of the building, the King and Queen made a tour of inspection, taking the lift to the topmost storey and then passing out on to the roof, which commands a fine panoramic view of London. India House occupies 12 floors and has been erected at a cost of £324,000. Many of the carvings have been : specially worked by Indian crafts- ; men, and the library is decorated with mural paintings by Indian artists.