PROGRAMME FOR THE CORONATION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 358, 12 February 1937, Page 3

PROGRAMME FOR THE CORONATION

MAGNIFICENT IN CONCEPTION AND COMPREHENSIVE IN SCOPE.

APPPEALING TO IMAGINATION OF PEOPLE.

Details of the coronation programme are contained in the following article, issued by the British Foreign Office, which has been received in Wellington by the British Trade Ctmmissioner, Mr R. Boulter, C,M.G. The full programme of the arrangement!' to celebrate the coronation of King George VI. has now been published. It is most magnificent in conception and comprehensive in scope. It lacks nothing which could give •full expression to the loyalty of tho citizens of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and territories beyond the seat. It will appeal to the imagination of all the peoples of the Empire. Normally the London “season" is a long series of gorgeous pageantry and entertainments; this l year all previous seasons will be eclipsed. The celebrations will extend from Wednesday, May 5, when the first Court will be held, to Thursday, July 22, when there will ba a garden party at Buckingham Palace. There Will be many coronation invitations. On the evening of Coronation Day, May 12, the King will for the first time, broadcast an address to the Empire, When the late King George V. was crowned, in 1911, there was no broadeasting. Later, the King will review the Royal Air Force; in 1911 there was l no Air Force. Still later, he will reyjew the ex-servicemen; in 1911 there ’were no ex-servicemen as the phrase is now understood.

Expansion of Old Features. The ceremony itself in Westminster Abbey cannot be vtried; its forms are dictated by immemorial tradition. The solemn ritual of the coronation service wae used in the hallowing of Anglo-Saxon kings; in its essence it is the same as that which crowned Norman, Plantagenet and Tudor. But some of the old features of the celebrations will be expanded. The processional drive between Westminster Abbey and the Palace will be extended from four to six miles. While every effort has been made to refrain as far at' pos-

sible from encroaching upon ground to which the general public have a right of access in order to view the procession, the coronation committee has arranged for stands to provide reserved seating accommodation for approximately 85,000 persons, and reserved standing space for about 30,000 more. In one of its main features the coronation of King George VI. will be more significant than that of any of his predecessors. He is the first British Sovereign to be crowned as King over the overseas Dominions, vtaicli —except for this 1 bond of allegiance to the one Sovereign—are completely independent of British government. To many people abroad this would seem a very tenuous bond indeed; actually, it is one of the strongest links between nations that has yet been forged. On the day before the coronation the King will receive loyal addresses of congratulation and greetings from the Pr.Yne Ministers of the Dominions and representatives of India and the colonies. Three Galla Months. The three summer months will be gala months. One august event will succeed another in rapid succession. Besides th© coronation itself and the accompanying celebrations throughout the country, three anniversaries will be included in the festivities. The first of these will be the festival of Empire, for Empire Day falls 12 days coronation; the second will be Queen Mary's birthday, days later; and the King has fixed the ninth of June for the celebration of his own birthday. More than once the King and Queen will drive through London after coronation day. In accordance with ancient custom they will visit the City and be entertained at the Guildhall. There will be State banquets; parties’ of all kinds, receptions,, and there will be a naval review Which, it is believed, will be of a most impressive character. The burden of such a programme must be severe, and the generous determination of the King and Queen to satisfy to t-he utmost the

claims of loyalty will be recognised by all their subjects. London Prepares for Influx. Meanwhile, London is preparing for an influx of visitors in unprecedented numbers. The railway companies’ officials and staffs are now working long hours reorganising the services to provide for the hundreds of special trains which v*ill be needed to carry visitors to London from all parts of the country. One railway company is providing “camping coaches” on suburban lines, where parties l of visitors may stay for a week or so. Liners moored in 'The Thames will be used as floating hotels. From the remotest corners of the King’s- Dominions his subjects will come to the coronation celebrations and festivities, which, we may rest assured, Will be worthy of the great occasion.