WITHOUT CEREMONY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 November 1939, Page 6

WITHOUT CEREMONY

WAR SESSION OPENED BY KING SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT. CONFIDENCE IN NATION’S RESOLUTION. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. LONDON, November 28. His Majesty opened Parliament’s first war session without ceremony. The plans were kept secret and their .Majesties drove from Buckingham Palace in a closed car instead of the traditional glass coach.

“The prosecution of the war commands the energies of all my subjects." said the King in his speech. “My Dominions overseas are participating wholeheartedly with an effectiveness which is most gratifying to me. My navies throughout the world, together with the merchant navy and the fishing fleets, are keeping the highways of the sea free and open. My armies and air forces are fulfilling their tasks at home and abroad. I am well assured that they will be equal to any efforts and sacrifices to which they may be called. "The House of Commons will be asked to make further financial provision for the conduct of the war. Grave responsibilities rest on you at this time. I am convinced you will express the nation's resolution.” SURPRISE FOR MEMBERS KING ANNOUNCES HIS OWN ARRIVAL. ESSENTIALS OF PROCEDURE ONLY OBSERVED. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day. 9.47 a.m.) RUGBY, November 28. Contrary to expectations the King opened the new session of Parliament in person and announced his own arrival. His Majesty, accompanied by the Queen, took members of both Houses by surprise. Their Majesties drove unobtrusively to Westminster in a closed motor-car. with a police motor-cyclist escort instead of in the Windsor coach drawn by the Windsor greys, and were not attended by the Yeomen of the Guard. A few minutes before their arrival the Duke of Gloucester, in khaki, and the Duke of Kent, in naval uniform, entered the House of Lords. The Imperial Crown, which usually is taken to Parliament in a landau, with an escort, went by a police motor-car. It was as usual carried in the procession from the robing room to the Chamber, the emblem being borne by Admiral of the Fleet Lord Chatfield. Although all the essentials were observed, there was none of the pageantry which attends the age-long ceremony in peace time. The King said: "The measures which will be submitted to you are such as seem necessary to my advisers for the welfare of my people and attainment of the purpose upon which all our efforts are set. I pray that Almighty God will give His blessing to your counsels.”