AT SUVA.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 41, 18 February 1927, Page 7

AT SUVA.

ROUSING WELCOME.

Quaint Ceremonials For Duke

and Duchess.

LOYALTY MANIFESTED.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

SUVA. February 17,

Punctual to schedule as usual the battlecruiser Renown, with the Dake and Duchess of York on board, arrived at Suva at 1 p.m. to-day, and dropped anchor in the picturesque harbour at 2 p.m.

The great ship was escorted to her anchorage by three or four typical Sydney "dinghies," motor-boats, and a whole fleet of native catamarans, with their brown mat sails swelling in a favouring breeze and their crews waving and cheering in emulation of the Europeans aboard the more modem craft.

Vie wed from the sea Suva looked very attractive rising from the harbour, her red roofs peeping above the tropical foliage.

In the harbour all ships were "dressed"' for the occasion, but the Renown neither "dressed ship" nor saluted. She moved to her anchorage with the same effortless ••vuedition as ever.

As soon as the battle-cruiser had anchored his Excellency the Governor, Sir Eyre Hutson, and the Colonial Secretary, Mr. A. \V. Seymour, went aboard. They were received by a full I guard with all due formality, the Earl: of Cavan welcoming them on behalf of the Duke. Their Royal Highnesses landed at 3 p.m. They received a tumultuous welcome from crowds'of people gathered on the wharf. They were received by the Governor, the Mayor, Mr. Henry Marks, the Chief Justice, Sir A. K. Young, members of the Executive Council, and other dignitaries. The Royal visitors then proceeded to Government House, where they inspected an assembly of school children. A civic reception at the Town Hall, I afternoon tea, a native reception, and the presentation of addresses in Albert Park followed. Municipal Address. The address from the municipality tendered a welcome to the Duke and Duchess and an assurance of loyalty, lit referred to the visit of King George in 1901, and of the Prince of Wales in 1920, and acknowledged the further honour of the visit of the Duke and Duchess to the colony, of which, it was hoped, they would carry away happy recollections. In reply the Duke sincerely thanked the municipality for its expressions of loyalty. He said he deeply appreciated the welcome. It was a pleasure to renew the personal ties of friendship established in the past by his father and his brother, who retained very happy memories of their visits to Fiji. "We are looking forward to repeating their delightful experiences," said tbc Duke. "We feel that such a visit cannot fail to knit more closely the bonds between the Mother Country and the distant portions of the Empire.

! "Be assured you are not forgotten at Home. We realise to the full that the I Empire is our greatest heritage—something infinitely precious, which we hold ,in trust from our forefathers for our j 'children. We know, too, that if we are' j to keep this heritage it is our duty to ! J learn, to understand, and to help each ! ; other. Then, united under one flag, and ' owing allegiance to one Sovereign, we ; may, by co-operating, prove worthy of] I the great trust which has been handed 1 i down to us.*' j | The Duke concluded by cordially wish -! | ing the people of Fiji happiness and ' 1 prosperity. ! ! Natives Pay Tribute. J I The address from the natives expressed , ■ their loyal thanks for the visit*of the I : Duke as representative of the Throne | of a mighty nation. It said they were j 'especially grateful to the Duke for turn-j j ing aside to view the small islands. I J The visit of the Duke and Duchess j i would remain a living memory, as were ! ; the visits of the King and the Prince of j | Wales. j j The natives were grateful for the pre- | ] sence of the Duchess as a representative j | of Gotland, which had given Fiji many: ' o; her sons to govern and to lead. I They were pleased to sec the Renown j i again. It was a symbol of the invincible: fleet which guarded the Empire and en- j stired peace. | Tlii- native- gave their assurance that tin- form of ■•overnmcn; established by Britain afi:-r the of iin* i«lan>i» was deeply a;>pre< iated. The benign j rule of Britain «a» 'reserving the ini terests and privileges of the njti\e>. It j had increased their knowledge and their (wealth. Ihcv ;>raved the Duke to convey to the King their assurance of unswerving , lo\altv and their thanks for the sympa- ! tbetie government of the island* They prayed for prosperity, happiness and long lives for the Duke and Duchess. Duke Returns Thanlcs. i The Duke thanked the natives on be- . half of the Duchess and himself. He I saiil he would not fail to convey to his 1 ! father their message of loyalty and ■ j gratitude. The Duchess was especially i : touched by the reference in the address) Ito Scotland. j ' The Duke said he rejoiced to hear that ' [the memory of the visits of the King I jr.nd the Prince of Wales were still fresh. 1 j They had told him of the time j tl>ey had spent in Fiji and the loyal ' ! reception given to them. ! The welfare of his native subjects in . | all the Dominions was ever near to the ] heart of the King. ■ j -All the King's house will continue to work with those the King sets over yo»: 1 j to guard your interests," said the Duke. "May all be well with you and your descendants. I pray you may continue to flourish and prosper." ; 1 The Duchess was presented with ftami ing bouquets of ixora by little native i i<nd white children, who were duly im |.re--e<l bv the gravity of the occasion. The native ecreniorijiI wa« most tnI tercsting. Fijians attach the greatest . importance 'o their various ritea an«l ; treat them all with most bccomiag solemnity.