Many listeners-in in Shanghai heard the frst news of the King's abdication over the radio from Australia, - the reception being, very clear. The King's statement was read in the Parliament House An informal cocktail party was held to celebrate the King's birthday at HIM. Consulate-General later the day, and was attended by British naval and military officers, and others, 'A brief ceremony was held at the Zero Club at 1230 yesterday when, the presence of members and guests, including representatives of the British Forces in Shanghai, Mr. M. Reader Harris, the President, gave a loyal toast' in honour of His Majesty.
'The Zero Club also despatched a telegram of congratulation to His Majesty. Addressed to the Private Secretary, Buckingham Palace, read:—"Zero Club, Shanghai, humbly and loyally wish' 'Their' Majesties a Jong and happy reign."
'The United Services Association also sent a telegram voicing loyal and congratulatory sentiments, telegram was sent to the King bby the Local national societies, read-as follows:—"We tender' Your Majesty our united humble allegiance and loyal wishes for many happy returns of this day. Societies Saint Andrew. Saint Patrick, Saint George, Saint David, Anzac and Canadian. Bryson, President, Saint Andrew's at Canberra by Mr. J. A. Lyons, the Prime Minister, who also nounced the "Accession" of the Duke of York.
At the conclusion of the read-
Ing of the message of abdication, heard by relay from Melbourne, what evidently was a" grest audience in the latter elly 29ul he heard enthusiastically singing the National Anthem through all its verses. possibilities had presented fof which they should be congregation were fined to repeat the General Thanks uiving with due regard to this fact.
At'Union Church, at the conclusion of the service, the congregation sang verse from the hymn, "God Bless Our Native Land, view of the fact that the pastor, Dr, Emory W. Luccock, recently had riven an address on the subject over the wireless, no reference was made fo the accession of the new King at the Community Church services that day, Dr, Luccock spoke from the Christian Broadcasting lation on Dee. 11, when he made' comments upon the crisis in Great Britain Firstly, he said, it was regrettable such wide publicity had been given the matter, which was more hari ful to the people who read und discussed it than to those intimately concerned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.