TOUR WELCOMED

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 184, 3 May 1934, Page 9

TOUR WELCOMED

Prince Henry Pleased London, May 1. The following official message to Australia has been issued from Buckingham Palace: —"The Duke of Gloucester would like it known that he had envied his brother the visit to Australia and New Zealand and is overjoyed at having the opportunity to take bis place, more so as he has not hitherto visited the Dominions officially. As a soldier he particularly welcomes the chance of meeting the Anzacs who made military history, and as a lover of country life and sport he cannot fail to be charmed by the land of Adam Lindsay Gordon and the Melbourne Cup.” Major Ronald Stanyt'orth, Comptroller of the Household, and Captain Howard Kerr, Equerry, will accompany the Duke of Gloucester. A staff of four will accompany the Duke. The “Star” understands that the decision to cancel Prince George’s arrangements was due to the fact that he is suffering from a slight touch of his old enemy, weak digestion, which was the real cause of his retirement from the Navy. It was hoped that the Prince would overcome the trouble, and therefore it was felt that a further trip involving frequent changes of diet would be inadvisable. As at present arranged, states a British Official Wireless message, the Duke of Gloucester will leave England on his visit to Australia and New Zealand on August 31. He will make the voyage in H.M.S. Sussex, and his programme will be practically the same as that arranged for Prince George. He will return home via the Panama Canal in the Australian cruiser Australia after having been absent from England for about six months. At the end of this month the Duke is paying a visit to Ulster, and will make the journey by air.