EMPIRE TRAVELS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 100, 22 January 1936, Page 13

EMPIRE TRAVELS

Memorable Tours By King and Queen NEW ZEALAND VISIT A memorable event in the life of King George V and Queen Mary, and in the history of the Dominions, .was the Empire tour made by them as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901. The project of a Royal visit to Australia and New- Zealand had been mooted as early as 1893, when, a few months after their marriage, the Duke and Duchess were invited to honour with their presence those portions of His Majesty’s Dominions. On the -occasion of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 the invitation was renewed by the New Zealand Government “in fitting recognition of the hospitality of the British nation, and in evidence of dur attachment to the Throne and to the Royal Family.'' The primary purpose of the Royal visit to the Antipodes was the opening by the Duke of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia’s federation marked a new development in the history of those States, and the enthusiasm with which the colonics had sent

the Hower of their manhood to assist the Mother Country in the South African struggle, seemed to merit some return, the proposal was revived with stronger force.

The consent! of Queen Victoria was obtained, ahd on September 17, 1900, life Colonial Secretary,. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, informed the colonies -concerned as follows: —“Her Majesty has. been graciously -pleased to assent, on the recommendation of the Marquess of Salisbury, to the visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to the colonies of Australia in the spring of next year. His Royal Highness will be commissioned by Iler Majesty to open the first Session of the Parliament of the Australian Commonwealth in her name. Although the Queen naturally shrinks from parting with her grandson for so long a period, Her Majesty fully recognises the greatness of the occasion which brings the colonics of Australia into a federal union, and desires to give this special proof of her interest in all that concerns the welfare of her Australian subjects. Her Majesty wishes at the same time to signify her sense of the loyalty and devotion which have prompted the spontaneous aid so liberally offered by all the colonies in the ■South African War, and of the splendid gallantry of her colonial troops.” Now Zealand's Invitation. I . lu reply lo New Zealand’s invitation, Mr. Chamberlain telegraphed to the Government <m September 29: "Your telegram of September 20 was laid before Her Majesty and the Duke and Duchess of York, who desire me to convey cordial thanks to your Government and the people of New Zealand. Iler Majesty also commands me to request you will convey to the Legislature her sincere Chunks for the address, which has given tier much pleasure. Iler Majesty knows well that she has no more loyal subjects chat the people of New Zealand.” The question of including Canada in the tour, was not so easily settled, owing to its remoteness from the other countries to be visited, and the prolonged absence from England this would entail upon the Duke and Duchess. Finally, it was decided to include the Dominion of Canada in their visit, the journey from New Zealand to be made via Mauritius and " the Cape of Good Hope, to Quebec. The Orient Company’s steamer, Ophir, was chosen for the voyage, and a large number of necessary alterations were put in hand. His Royal Highness selected the members of his suite, and also the naval officers of the ship, which was commissioned for the voyage.

Death of Queen Victoria. In tlie midst of the preparations, the entire nation was plunged into profound grief by the death of Queen Victoria (just as the death of King Edward, in 1910, prevented Prince George’s contemplated visit to South Africa, to open the first Union Parliament). Queen Victoria’s death, it was expected at first, would cause the abandonment of tlie tour. The preparations were, indeed, suspended; but after the first poignancy of the grief had passed, it was recognised that the intended visit to the Colonies was an event of great importance, In February. 1901. the King announced as follows, in the Speech from tlie Throne: — “The establishment of the Australian Commonwealth was proclaimed at Sydney in January, with many manifestations of public enthusiasm and rejoicing'. My dearly beloved and lamented mother had assented to the visit of

the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall to open the first Parliament of tlie new Commonwealth in her name. A separation from my son at such a moment cannot be otherwise than deeply painful, but I desire to give effect to Iler Majesty's wishes, and, as an evidence of her interest, as well as my own, in all that concorns the welfare of my subjects beyond the sens, I have decided that the visit to Australia shall not be abandoned, and shall bo extended to Now Zealand, and to the Dominion of Canada.” On Marell 16, 1901,‘tlie Ophir, accorn-, ponied by two cruisers, left Portsmouth with her Royal party. The narrative of their Majesties’ tour of New Zealand is told on an earlier page under the heading. “Life of Br ; - tain’s Sailor King."