ENTERTAINED BY THE KING.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 71, 23 March 1916, Page 6

ENTERTAINED BY THE KING.

SOLDIERS AND STATESMEN.

AUSTRALIA WIU. BE THERE."

(Received 2.10 p.m.)

LONDON, March 22. At the King's invitation,. Mr Hughes and his wife attended afternoon tea and a concert at Buckingham Palace, where 1,000 convalescent soldiers, many of them Anzacs, were the guests of Their Majesties. Tea was served in large marquees, the King and Queen, the Princesses, and other royalties walking round the tables, chatting cordially, and helping to pour out tbe tea. It was a most pathetic sight when a number of blinded soldiers, headed by a nurse, entered in a long shuffling file, each man guided by a hand upon another's shoulder. The concert, at which the best artists in London assisted, was held in the riding school. There were thunderous cheers when the King, in naval uniform, the Queen, and other royalties entered and j bowed to Mr Hughes, his wife, and Mr Fisher, who had scats of honour in the front row. The liveliest item on the programme was the singing of "Australia Will Be There." the Anzacs joining lustily in the chorus. The wounded men were much impressed by the genuine sympathetic inquiries of the King and Queen. They crowded round Queen Alexandra while she busily autographed their programmes, undismayed by the - length of the queue of waiting- soldiers. Mr Hughes later remarked that it was the most touching sight since he had been in England. The cheerfulness 'of those men, especially the blind, was wonderful. He was glad that the King and Queen had extended their generous hospitality to the Australians. They were determined to continue to do their utmost for the Empire. There is a possibility that Mr Hughes' mission will not be completed by April 19. when he expects to sail. Such an impression has already been made that it is considered unwise for him to leave before he has fully influenced British opinion. He may prolong his visit.