Empire’s Love and Loyalty

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 432, 13 May 1937, Page 5

Empire’s Love and Loyalty

Their Majesties 9 Thanks King George in Special Broadcast Message • (Press Association—Copyright.) Received May 13, 1 1.5 a.m. London, May 12. His Majesty, the King, in a broadcast message, said: “It is with a very full heart that I speak to you to-night. Never before has a newly-crowned King been able to talk to all his subjects in their own homes on the day of the Coronation. "Never has a ceremony had so wide a significance, for the Dominions are now free and equal partners with an ancient kingdom. I felt this morning that the whole Empire was, in very truth, gathered within the walls of Westminster Abbey. 1 rejoice that 1 can now speak to you all, wherever you may be gathering, old friends in distant lands, and, I hope, new friends in those parts where it has not yet been my good fortune to go. In this personal way the Queen and I wish health and happiness to you all; and we do not forget at this time of celebration those living under the shadow of sickness and distress. Their example of courage and good citizenship is always before us, and to them I would send a special message of synr pathy and good cheer. I cannot find words with which to thank you for your love and loyalty to the Queen and myself. The goodwill and the countless messages from overseas and from every quarter of these islands have filled our hearts to overflowing. I only say this: That if in the coming years I can shew my gratitude in service to you, that way above all others 1 should choose. 1 o many millions the Crown is a symbol of unity. By the grace of God and by the will of the free peoples of the British Commonwealth I have assumed that Crown. In me as your King is vested for the time the duty of maintaining its honour and integrity. / This is a grave and constant responsibility, but it has given me confidence to see your representatives around me in the Abbey and to know that you, too, were enabled to join in the infinitely beautiful ceremonial. Its outwards forms come down from distant time, but its inner meaning is a message always new. The highest of all distinctions is service to others, and to the Ministry of Kingship I have, in your hearing, dedicatl ed myself with the Queen at my side in words of deepest solemnity. We will, Gpd helping us, faithfully discharge our trust Those of you who are children now will, I hope, retain the memory of this day of carefree happiness such as 1 still have of the day of my grandfather’s Coronation. In the years to come some of you will travel from one part of the Commonwealth to another, and leaving those within the family circle will meet many whose thoughts are coloured by the same memories and whose hearts unite in devotion to our common heritage. You will learn, 1 hope, how much our free .association means to us, and how much our friendship to each other and all other nations on earth can help the cause of peace and progress. “The Queen and I will always keep in our hearts the inspiration of this day. May we ever be worthy of the goodwill which, I am proud to think, surrounds us at the outset of my reign. “1 thank you from my heart, and may God bless you."