DUKE AT STATE LUNCHEON

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28150, 13 December 1956, Page 14

DUKE AT STATE LUNCHEON

Welcome By Prime Minister N.Z. LOYALTY TO BRITAIN

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. December 12.

New Zealand’s loyalty to Britain was not spoiled by “ifs” and “buts.” said the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) at a State luncheon for the Duke of Edinburgh today. ‘‘The Government and people of New Zealand lost no time whatever in making up their min,ds where they stood on the great international issues which confront us,” said Mr Holland. ‘‘We have united from one end of the country to the other. No country has more reason to be’ grateful to Britain than has New Zealand. The best way to express that loyalty is in practical terms. I believe that a clearer view of the international situation is now emerging.”

Mr Holland said the hearts of all New Zealanders beat with affection for members of the Royal Family, and there could be no more welcome visitor than the Duke of Edinburgh. During his stay, His Royal Highness would see land and forest development, and would inspect industries and farms. He would notice the great advances made since he was last here with the Queen three years ago. The Prime Minister asked the Duke tc take back to Her Majesty and to the Royal children a message of love and affection from the people of New Zealand.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) said the present international difficulties had not yet been solved He believed the United Nations was the agency that must ultimately succeed in bringing peace to the world, but the British Commonwealth had a great contribution to make. The Commonwealth should strive for the extension to wider groups of Powers the principles on which member countries based their relations one with the other.

Duke’s Reply The Duke of Edinburgh said that his main objective in coming to this part of the world had been to go to the Olympic Games. He had come to New Zealand because he believed in mixing pleasure with business. “I think it is interesting to go to a meat works, and what is interesting is fun, and what is fun is pleasure for me,” he added. Animals, forestry, and natural resources were the basis of New Zealand’s economy and the main source of her prosperity. They were important to New Zealand and also to Britain, because the economies of the two countries were closely linked.

“I won’t be able to fish, swim, or sail, but I am going to enjoy myself here, willy-nilly,” said the Duke, who expressed his thanks for the warm welcome accorded him. He would also take with him the message for the Royal Family. More than 300 guests attended the luncheon. The social hall of Parliament Buildings was a spectacle of colour with hanging baskets of flowers and rows of vases with pink and blue motifs on the lines of tables. Five minutes before noon the Gov-ernor-General (Sir Willoughby Norrie) arrived at Parliament Buildings, to be met by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr K. J. Holyoake) and the Minister of Labour (Mr W. Sullivan), who escorted him to the Prime 'Minister’s suite.

Duke’s Arrival The Duke arrived by car at Parliament Buildings shortly , before 12.30 p.m., nearly half an hour later than originally planned. His Royal Highness was met by Mr Holland. They went to the latter’s suite, where Ministers of the Crown, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Speaker and other Parliamentary representatives had assembled. When the Duke arrived at his seat in the social hall the orchestra played the National Anthem, at the conclusion of which the Prime Minister asked the Archbishop of New Zealand (the Most Rev. R. H. Owen) to say grace. The Prime Minister proposed the loyal toast, and after a short interval, delivered his speech, at the end of which he called on the Leader of the Opposition to speak. The Prime Minister then proposed the toast, “The Duke of Edinburgh,” and after this was honoured His Royal Highness replied. The luncheon ended shortly afterward with the orchestra playing the first verse of “God Defend New Zealand.”