OPENING OF HOME PARLIAMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3180, 28 March 1911, Page 2

OPENING OF HOME PARLIAMENT.

THE KING’S DECLARATION. Referring to the opening of the Home Parliament, a London paper reports: "My lords, pray he seated,” said King George, and he sat down to await the arrival at the bar of members of the House 'of Commons, who could not be summoned to attend until the King had arrived. He looked well and vigorous. The Queen was rather pale. Upon her corsage glittered the two large -Cullman diamonds. A river of light played over her broad. diamond collar and lit up the brilliants of her graceful crown. Immediately the Commons were at the bar, the Lord Chancellor advanced, and bowing low, handed a paper to his Majesty. What he read from it came as a. surprise. Instead of beginning "My lords and- gentlemen,” it began, "I,* George.” It was not the Speech from the Throne, but his Declaration of adherence to the Protestant Faith, with the phrases that made it offensive to Roman Catholics now happily omitted. The Declaration ran thus: I, George, do solemnly and sincerely in the presence of God, profess, testify, and declare that I am a faithful Protestant, that I will to the true intent of the enactments which secure the Protestant succession to the Throne of my realm uphold and maintain the said enactments to the best of any powers according to law. When the King had read this m a firm, resonant voice, the Lord Chancellor handed him a blotting-pad with silver inkstand attached and a pen. Resting' the Declaration on the arm of the Throne, his Majesty signed it, and' then handed it back. In exchange the Lord Chancellor gave him the Speech from the Throne. Putting on lus naval cocked hat, and sitting down, he at once proceeded to read it.

After the reading his Majesty took off his hat and) handed l the Queen out, she curtsying prettily as she went. The. procession re-formed. All was over. Parliament had begun.