THE DUKE'S VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 91, 14 October 1926, Page 6

THE DUKE'S VISIT

AUSTRALIAN ARRANGEMENTS AT! CANBERRA. ;

. Australia is already commencing to busy itself with the affairs that will necessar: ily surround the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York to the South Seas next year. Recently a deputation from the Australian Federal Capital League asked the Acting-Minister of Defence (Mr. Marr) what the Federal Government's intention? were with regard to accommodation for the public at Canberra during the Duke of York's visit.

The president of the league (Alderman Brooks, M.L.C.) said they felt that the FederalrGovernffleutifehould-ptaeide some facilities so that the people might participate in the great national celebration. The visit of the Empire Parliamentary Dalegation to Canberra was also a very important event, yet the public had been immediately "warned off the grass" without any apology, and they felt that the same thing might happen with the Duke o£ York's visit. He asked if the Government would be favourably disposed towards si citizens' committtee, to co-operate in arrangements for celebrations at Sydney as well as at Canberra.

Mr. Marr, in reply, said the public were not debarred from going to Canberra, but there was no accommodation. The question of trains was one for the State Government. He had spent days trying to get even a few sleeping cars. The Government did not believe that it should be building hotels. It was only because private enterprise had not supplied the need that it was doing.it;. They, had to think of. the Civil servants, whose .cost of living would be greatly increased at Canberra. No one had any right to1 say that the Duke would'1 stop only one day at Canberra. ,No itinerary, had been approved yet. ■-. "i ■•...";.■.■ : ; Mr. Marr added that they intended _;to invite representatives of every Doniiniou in the Empire, and the Mayors of all the capital cities in Australia, and were arranging. .for five military bands and 1200 troops, representing all units. There would be' 400, from the Navy, 200 from the Air Force, ■;-100v Boy Scouts, and 130 Senior Cadets. They were also providing for 50,000 motor-cars. With regard to tents, he said they could not get enough. They had lent as,many.army tents as they could get at the time 'of the Vicorian bush fires, and had not got one baeU. But there would be an area where people.could put up theil- own itents.,. As ah. indication ot the shortage of skilled labour for building, Sir. Marr added that they could not get the Civil' servants transferred until 1980 at the earliest. The. question of cefcbrations in Sydney was a matter for the Statff Government.