POSSIBILITY OF ROYAL TOUR

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26746, 2 June 1952, Page 8

POSSIBILITY OF ROYAL TOUR

N.Z. Discussions With Palace Officials PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT

(New Zealand Press Assncration) WELLINGTON. May 31. The New Zealand Government is discussing with the Buckingham Palace authorities the possibility of a six weeks’ tour of the Dominion by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. It is also urging that the tour should be made in the New Zealand summer, or at least at some time of the year when the weather is likely to be better than in mid-winter.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holland) said this to-day, when he confirmed a cable message from London saying he was discussing with the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) arrangements for the Royal tour. Mr Menzies is at present in London.

Mr Holland said that, when he was in London last February for the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ conference, he had discussed the possibility of a Royal tour with the Queen, the Commonwealth Relations Office, and the Palace authorities. Unfortunately, these discussions had occurred only two days before the funeral of King George VI, and naturally it had been inopportune to go into details with Her Majesty. Since his return to New Zealand, •aid Mr Holland, these discussions had been revived, and he had exchanged views with Mr Menzies.

Longer Toor Wanted “It must be remembered.” said Mr Holland, “that the tour which was cancelled because of His Majesty’s illness, and also the tour by the Princess and the Duke, which was cancelled because of the King’s death, were to have been of a restricted nature.

‘“Die original tour was to have been restricted to the four main centres, and though the Princess and the Duke agreed to visit a considerable number of additional places, their tour also was to extend over only four weeks. “Moreover, because of King George’s health, it was decided to organise the tour during the late autumn and winter months. This, I think, would be a quite unsuitable season in the new circumstances.

“Mr Menzies and I both feel that the former plans should be abandoned, and replaced by a tour during a better season of the year and, if possible, for a longer period. I am hoping that our own section of the tour will be for six weeks, instead of four, and that it can be held in our warm season.

“Whether the Royal party visited Australia or New Zealand first is immaterial, and the question should, I think, be decided by Her Majesty. New Zealand will be very happy to abide by her wishes,” Mr Holland concluded.