FREEDOM OF LONDON

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 49, 22 November 1926, Page 8

FREEDOM OF LONDON

CONFERRED ON VISITING premiers PAGEANT AT GUILDHALL TRIBUTES TO MR. MASSEY AND MR, COATES The Freedom of the City of London was conferred on Mr. Coates, General Hertzog, and Mr. Monroe at the Guildhall. BY Telegraph.—Press association. Copyright. (Rec. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 19. The customary pageantry attended the conferring of the Freedom of the Citv of London at the Guildhall on Mn Coates (New Zealand), General Hertzog (South Africa), and Mr. Monroe (Newfoundland). The guests included the Duke and Duchess of York, Prince Arthur of Connaught, Mr. L. C. M. Amery (Under-Secretary for Dominion Affairs), the High Commissioners and Agents-Geiieral, and delegates to the Imperial Conference. The members of the City’ Lands Committee received the Prime Ministers at the porch and conducted them, preceded by the Citv Marshal, UnderSheriffs,' Town Clerk, and Aidermen, and escorted by a Sword Bearer and Mace Bearer, to the dais, where the Lord Mayor (Sir Rowland Blades) and Sheriffs welcomed them. After this a charming little girl presented the most prominent ladies with beautiful bouquets of roses. The Town Clerk, gowned, and wearing his wig, read the order of the Court of Common Council directing the presentation of the Freedom in a gold box to the recipients. The ex-purgator’s declaration accompanying the ' presentation was thus worded: "They are men of good name and fame. They do not desire the freedom of the city to defraud King or the city’ of anv rights and privileges. They will pav their scot an<l bear their lot, 'so they all say.”

City Chamberlain’s Speech

The City Chamberlain, from the lectern in front of the dais, in admitting the Prime Ministers to the freedom of the city, said each had visited the Conference in an endeavour to surmount the difficulties of distance and climate, facilitate inter-communication and inter-trade, and promote the interests of the Empire. He pain a tribute to the late Mr. Massey, whose disciple and close friend Mr. Coates was. Mr. Coates’s soldierly bearing hardly suggested that he was a farmer. Might fortune ' always attend his patriotic efforts on behalf of the Dominion and the Empire. Next, addressing General Hertzog, he referred to him as “the Gallant General representing the Cinderella of the Empire, whom we remember as a brave and capable foe. Public leaders are more subject to criticism and misrepresentation than humbler folk. It may be that General Hertzog has _ had more than a fair share, but he is an old soldier who has learned to take the rough with the smooth. We pay tribute to bis culture, courage, conviction, and consistency. Mr. Monroe is an Irelander by' birth and adoption, because lie was born at Dublin. He enjoys the distinction of not entering Parliament till he went there as Prime Minister. It is on such men as our guests that we rely to maintain the stability of the Empire. We greet them as citizens of London.” The Mayor presented the caskets containing the freedoms. Mr. Coates's Response. Mr. Coates, in responding from the lectern beside the Chamberlain’s, said all New Zealanders shared in the honour conferred on him. Sir Rowland Blades would soon be wishing God s speed to the Duke and Duchess of York, to the heartiness and sincerity of whose welcome Mr. Coates warmly testified. He added: “It is most important that Home statesmen, responsible officers, and commercial heads ot financial and industrial institutions should also visit the Dominions, ensuring a better understanding of Imperial problems.” He paid a tribute to Britain’s patient progress since the war, but said patience did not mean muddling. General Hertzog’s Acknowledgment. General Hertzog, who, like Mr. Coates, greeted bis hearers as fellowcitizens,” acknowledged the honour extended to his Fatherland, which must be held dear and sacred, by. its son. “It is an additional inspiration to us so to act as to be worthy of our countrv I offer vou, as a friend and sincere co-operator in the great task before us, as members of the British Commonwealth, heartfelt thanks. Mr. Monroe on the Lesson of the Conference. Air Monroe acknowledged the honour on behalf of the oldest smallest, and nearest, but not least affectionate, daughter of the Mother Country. The lesson of the Conference,’ he said “is the sympathetic understanding of the Dominions with the British Government, whom we Newfoundlanders give a blank cheque to fill in as they will.” luncheon at mansion house interest in royal tour KRUGER’S TRAVELLING WAGON (Rec. November 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 20.

Following the conferring of the freedoms, the Lord Mayor and _ Lady Mayoress entertained a representative assemblage at luncheon at the Mansion House, to meet Mr. Coates, General Hartzog and Mr. Monroe. The Lord Mayor's chaplain, the Rev. W. P. Besley, who said grace, was formerly master Wanganui College. . Sir Rowland Blades emphasised the anticipatory interest in the tour of the Duke and' Duchess of York, and referred to the appropriateness of the presence of the Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught, since the former lu.d been Governor-General of South Africa. In proposing he health of the new Freemen, the Lord Mayor said: “Five Premiers present have now entered London's roll of fame. Their predecessors included Mr. Hughes, Mr. Dcakin, and Mr. Massey. The City of London, he added, offered the South African Government President Kruger’s t-avellinq wagon, which Lord Kitchener gave to Viscount Bearsted, who gave it to London City. . Mr. Coates, in responding, pomted out

that London had made the earliest attempt to colonise New Zealand, which was one of the world s greatest monuments to British civilisation. We hope we can look after the Duke and, Duchess of York when they come to us.” Kruger’s 'Wagon Offered To South Africa. General Hcrtzog said: “I thank you. especially on behalf of the old Transvaal for the gracious act in restoring to that old Republic the travelling waggon of their old President, whose memory is now cherished.” General Hertzog’s voice almost broke. "That act of friendship and good-will will be deeply appreciated for the motives inspiring it. The wagon will return to its old home, proving that though Britain was victorious in the war, she was defeated by friendship. I don’t know whether Britain or South Africa deserves the greater honour. Let us divide it equally. We deeply appreciate Britain’s assistance in endeavouring to settle other relations on a firm basis. Our endeavours have been to build up, not to destroy. I shall leave London with the heartfelt feeling that our achievements will prove a lasting success and a lasting lesson to. us all. South Africa will not be last in steadfast co-operation with other parts of the Empire.”