SPEECH BY QUEEN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1939, Page 5

SPEECH BY QUEEN

AT HUGE CANADIAN GATHERING SECOND PUBLIC ADDRESS OF HER REIGN. WOMEN AND THE GROWTH OF LAW. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. OTTAWA, May 20. The Queen spoke publicly for the second time in her reign, today when she laid the ■foundation stone of the new Supreme Court of Canada, a task which, she said, “was not inappropriate for a woman, for woman’s position in civilised society has depended upon the growth of law.” The first occasion on which her Majesty was heard by the public was at the launching of the liner Queen Elizabeth when spoke only a few words. Today, perfectly poised, she faced a huge crowd and a battery of microphones carrying her voice throughout the Empire as well as the United States, and delivered the first real speech of her reign in a clear, firm voice. It was the only occasion on which she will speak in Canada. As a compliment to French Canadians the Queen made the latter half of her address in the French language, which she began to study at the age of four, and speaks fluently. The King was an interested onlooker. The Queen’s blue eyes shone with pleasure at the warmth of the crowd’s reception and, during pauses in her speech, she broke into the brilliant and completely happy smile that has charmed all Canadians. In the English passages the Queen declared hejself happy to lay the foundation stone of a building devoted to the administration of justice, with its addition to the group of buildings on the heights above Ottawa, surely one of the noblest situations in the world.”

Housing Parliament and the executive branch of the Government, said the Queen, there would stand “a group of buildings unsurpassed as a symbol of free and democratic institutions, which are our greatest heritage.” In French the Queen said: “In Canada, as in Great Britain, justice is administered according to two great but dissimilar legislations. In my native Scotland we have a law founded on Roman law. It springs from the same fountain head as your civil law in the old Province of Quebec. “In England, as in Canada’s otherprovinces, common law prevails. At Ottawa, as in Westminster, both are administered by the Supreme Court of Justice. To me this is a very happy augury to see your two great races, with their different legislations, beliefs and traditions, uniting more and more closely after the manner of England and Scotland by ties of affection, respect and common ideals. Earlier her Majesty had sat at the window of the Governor-General’s offices in Parliament Buildings, and watched the brigade of Canadian Guards trooping their colours before the King. CHAT WITH VETERANS AN UNREHEARSED INCIDENT. KING AND QUEEN DEPART FROM OFFICIAL PLANS. (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) OTTAWA, May 21. The crowd of one hundred thousand were delighted when at the conclusion of the unveiling ceremony, their Majesties broke away from the official arrangements and stayed for half an hour talking to veterans. With four “mounties” as their only attendants, the King and Queen mingled freely with' the crowd jammed about the base of the memorial.