FAREWELL TO THE PRINCE

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 121, 22 May 1920, Page 4

FAREWELL TO THE PRINCE

To-day the Prince of Wales, on his departure for Australia by If.M.S. Renown, sends to the people of New Zealand a farewell message which will serve to sum up not only his own happy impressions of a- visit all too brief, but the 'vivid memories of tne fleeting occasions when he passed through their midst • among the people themselves. It is his regret, and our regret, too, that time d:d not permit him to travel through the less-settled districts, where he mightb&ve seen New Zealand still in the making and the work of the' pioneers still going on. But he has shown throughout Mb short sojourn here a sympathy, an ■understanding, an imagination quick to seize a situation «nd form a correct idea of the whole, and hia message reveals -in simple, sincere words' a full comprehension of the main features of our development.- He emphasises, rightly, we think, the absence of deep class distinctions such as characterise even thi new world of North America. "New-^eaknd," he says, "is a land not merely of opportunity for some, but of equal opportunity for all. I have never seen well-being and happiness more uniformly evident throughout the population of country and town." He is impres.-ed, also, as have been other distinguished visitors in the past, with' the fair treatment' accorded to the Native race. Then follows a tribute which will always be remembered : Now Zealand is one of the greatest monuments of British civilisation in tiro world, and I have- felt from Vnd to cml of the Dominion that thcru is _ nowhere a British people more set m British traditions or more true to British form. I have found the strength of your loyally to the Empire and its Sovei-L'ijrn .*.s Uoon and bracing as mountain air, and 1 know

you will never weaken in your devotion to British unity and British idoals.

These words should be an inspiration to all Now Zealanders in times of trial, and to the children above all, on, whom the Prince has left an everlasting impression of the ideal prince. The Prince describes hia message as "An revoir" but not

"Good-bye," and promises that when the opportunity arises of visiting the Dominion again he will take it with delight and without delay. To which all loyal New Zeakuders will'reply, in wishing the Prince God-speed, "May the opportunity come soon, and may your stay next time be longer." Should destiny rule otherwise and defer the date of the return visit unduly, there is still a genuinely affectionate memory of a fine and winning personality bringing sunshine wherever he moved among the people.