Crowds greet Royal party

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33450, 4 February 1974, Page 2

Crowds greet Royal party

*N'c« Zealand Pro* Association WELLINGTON. February 3. Several thousand people gave police and Royal tour officials a worrying time this evening when the Queen. Prince Philip, and Prince Charles made an informal half-mile walk along Oriental Parade.

People crowded around the Royal Family as they paused to talk to members of the public, and the police had difficulty in clearing a way to the Queen’s car. The Queen, who appeared unperturbed by the exurberance of the welcome, was also the target for a small group of Maori demonstrators. As she neared where they were standing they hoisted two banners, and began chanting "Is she our Queen? No. she is a white Queen." One banner proclaimed "You are Queen and head of white New Zealand only. Ratify Waitangi,” and the other, in barely legible poster paints, said “1953 Tangiwai. 1963 Waitangi. What next?” Asked what organisation they represented, the Maoris replied by handing out an open letter, addressed to the Queen. The letter claimed the Queen was an impostor elected by racist dictators, and denied that New Zealand was “two races, one people.” It said the many promises made at Waitangi had been broken, except for one—" You promised to keep our land, and you did.” The Queen did not see the letter, and as soon as the demonstration began the police moved the demonstrators along the parade, and kept them well away from the Queen. Flowers gift Police and Royal Household staff did their best to keep the public back during the walk, but it was a losing battle. At one noint a young woman walked out of the crowd to the Queen, and handed her a posv of carnations and fern. The Queen accepted them, with a surprised smile, and held on to them. The woman melted back into the crowd

before most were aware of what had taken place. Despite an overcast sky with low mistv cloud the rain held off tor the Royal walk, but a fresh northerly wind made conditions slightly unpleasant. The Queen and Prince Philip arrived at Wellington Airport shortly after 4.30 p.m. from Oamaru. and were ioined by Prince Charles, who had arrived 10 minutes earlier. Five trout Prince Charles had spent nart of yesterdav and today fishing at Lake Wanaka, where he caught five trout. Several hundred people braved the sticky atmosphere at the airport to see the Royal arrivals, some distance from the terminal. Those who were pressed against a wire-netting fence at the airport car-park were rewarded with a close view of Prince Charles. He spent a few minutes awaiting the Oueen’s flight by moving down the fence, talking to them. The Royal party were greeted bv the Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) and civic and airport management representatives. The drive from the airport around Evans Bay to Oriental Parade was slowed bv groups of people on the roadside. WTterever there .was a large group of people gathered the Queen’s car i slow’ed. Tomorrow morning the Queen will hold an investiture at Wellington Town Hall, and the Duke will attend the Commomvealth ExServices League Conference at the James Cook Hotel. Prince Charles. Princess Anne, and Captain Mark ’’hillins will fly to Masterton. Prince Charles will visit Brancepeth station, and his sister and brother-in-law will he shown the Te Parae stud. Thev will be hack in Welling•on for the State opening of Parliament by the Queen tomorrow afternoon.