"As we stand here We cast our thoughts across the world to that rear centre of the Empire where Sey is being performed that majestic ceremony, with all the brilliant clr~ cumstanee and solemn tradition which Surround it, and we can but thelll to the thought thal however times may hinge and whatever dimicuities may beset, that great and glorious institu tion, the British Throne, still stands itin and unshaken on Its foundations; foundations which are deep-laid in the hearts of every man and woman of the British race and in the hearts of. the myriad subjects of the Empire, whatever their blood and ereed.
"Amongst us now assembled we have the representatives of many of those peoples who combine 10 form our Brilish Commonwealth, men of the Mother Country, men' from the Dominions and men' from the small outposts, all coger by their presence attest their unswerving loyally to that common centro of cur faith, the King upon his Throne. We are proud, {o0, to have with us. the representa lives of those glorious Services, the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Alr Fore and the great Brit ish Mercantile Marine, Services which carry the grand traditions of the past which sre our sure shield in the present and which are the pillars upon which we build our hope of security in the -fulure, Together, service man and "civilian alike, we unite with the countless millions of our fellow subjects all over the world {nthe loyal wish that long may His Majesty ever to Tule over us and reserve in his person the high dignity and traditions of his' great flee, "Neither do we forget that gracious lady, His Queen and ours, wire. 0 happily bears the name of that other rear queen who wrote one. of the most glorious pages of our history—Queen Elizabeth. We can but find in this a most happy omen and feel the more assured that she, who has already endeared herself to these who are now her willing subjects, will fave 0 be the ideal pariner {0 share the joys and cares of her royal husband and In the great responsibil ties which they have jointly undertaken. Tong live the King and Queent International Amity am very happy 0 have the privilege of expressing on behalf of the British members of this Club the arear pleasure It gives us to see 50 Many of our non-British fellow mem: hers and their friends, and so many guests of high rank of other na-tonalities, present. to-day. We sincerely appreciate the compliment they ay us in having accepted our in-Vilation to join us in this celebration and acknowledge the spirit of friend-Uness which animates them and which their presence denotes. There Is one Shought which must always come upon these occasions, a thought which T think 1g 90 precious to denied utterance and one which does not stale by repetition, Tt ts that year afler year, no matter what Storms may blow outside and no matter what differences and difticulties arise, we still ind it possible within this building for men of all tratlonalities to dwell together in amity and mutual respect, in tolerance anc goodwill, As long as this Club can Maintain that ne tradition T. think we are entitled to believe that we regard ourselves as something more than a convenient meeting place And that we are contributing something worthwhile to this international community in which we live: per haps even to a wider feld. through those who come, observe and pass on. Long may it be sol Gentlemen, we extend to you our hearty greetings Two Toasts "We are further honoured to-day by the presence of His Excellency, the Commander-in-Chief, who has very kindly found time in the midst of his many other oMiciat engage ments to come to Us to-day and propose for us the toast of the day. 'Admiral Sir Charles Little needs no introduction to most of you since he has similarly honoured us a year ago on Empire Day, but apart from that we do, in view" of his early associ tions with this city, regard him as very peculiarly our' own Admiral We extend to him our sincere greet Ings and assure him of our respect for himself and for the proud uni form which he wears, "Before I call on him to address us there is a little matter of explanation which I wish to make and to which T ask your attention. In accordance with Intipatione which have been received from Home the correct pro cedure will be to propose the toast In two sections. 'His Excellency will first of all. propose the toast of His Majesty the' King. after which we shall stand in silent homage whilst the first verse. of the. National Anthem is played. He will then propose the teart of Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Mary and the Members of the Royal Family, following which the anthem will again be played and we shall all Join in the words of the first verso."
The Admiral's Speech Admiral Sir Charles Little said: Your Excellencies, Your Honours, members and gnosis of the Shanghai Chub: well remember a year ago when 1 was honoured on your invitation, {to reply to the toast of Empire Day this Club, "To-day I am very sensible of the greater honour of proposing the loyal toast on this, the Coronation Day of our beloved king George and "his Gracious consort Queen' Elizabeth, "feel that no poor words of mine con do justice to such an occasion, or that It ig necessary for me to ferbish a toast "which although of great public Importance Is at the same time, owing (0 our peculiar regard for the Sovereign, a personal and intimate one for each Britisher.
"It has been truly said that King George has succeeded to the Throne at a time of peculiar dimiculty and can be equally truly said that hho British King thas ever before had more immediate loyal support and sympathy from his peoples. Well Known (0 us 9s Prince Albert, Duke of York, he already has won a personal place in all our hearts asthe Successor to his august father. We all know and are confident that he cen and will, carry on the great tradition hig Father set and be able to assume the unequalled position of Father of a great family, the British peoples.
"In Queen Elizabeth, the frst lady in the land we have & worthy suc cessor 0 our revered Queen Mother, Queen Mary. Queen Elizabeth has
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.