QUEEN MOTHER’S TOUR

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28432, 12 November 1957, Page 17

QUEEN MOTHER’S TOUR

Mr Harper Visits , Palace

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 9. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, has had two talks with Mr A. G. Harper, Secretary for i Internal Affairs, about her visit I to New Zealand. I The first was at a diplomatic reception given by the Queen at j Buckingham Palace last night. I The Queen Mother said that she was greatly looking forward to seeing New Zealand again and hoped to see as many people and as many parts of the country as possible. j I The Queen and Prince Phillip talked with Mr Harper, recalling | their visit, and Princess Margaret expressed her interest in the Dominion. The Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) and Lady Dorothy Macmillan were at the party too. "They are also looking forward very much to their stay 1 and seeing as many people as possible,” said Mr Harper. 1 | It was likely, he said, that Mr [Macmillan would make “a few” speeches in New Zealand. ! This morning, the Queen Mother received Mr Harper at J Clarence House. Australian Plans The Queen Mother’s visit to Australia next year has been arranged as a "real meet-the- i people” visit, the director-general of the Royal tour, Sir Allen Brown, said today, says a message from Canberra. He released tjie itinerary for the tour. The Queen Mother had asked that in her engagements she might mingle with and talk to people as much as possible, he' said. This meant the exclusion! of State banquets, luncheons and similar “fixed seating” affairs. Functions have been arranged in favour of open-air gatherings, surf carnivals, rodeos, race meetings, garden parties, children’s assemblies and similar affairs. I The “Evening News” diarist : said today that he hoped the Queen would advise her mother to put Waitomo on her list of "musts” for her visit to New Zealand for January. “When the Queen was there a few years ago I heard her say: “This is so beautiful it takes my breath away—l wish 1 the rest, of my family could see it’,” he said. i "She was way underground in a still grotto, gazing from a tiny' boat at a myriad magical glowworms hanging in thick, shining clusters from stalactites. "Perhaps the Queen will ask New Zealand’s Secretary ol Internal Affairs, Mr Arthur Harper, to make arrangements to see that her mother does not miss this underground fairyland,” the diarist said.