ULSTER'S PREMIER

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 3

ULSTER'S PREMIER

WELCOME AT BELFAST

LESSONS OF HIS TOUR

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LONDON, 4th April. Viscount and Viscountess Craigavon, who returned by the Rangitata, disembarked from the vessel immediately she berthed at Southampton, although, it was nearly midnight. They motored to Ports* mouth, where they stayed with their son* iu-law and daughter, Lieut-Commander Robert G. 11. Linzee, R.N., and the Hon. Mrs. Linzee. On the Saturday night Lord and Lady Craigavon were the guests at dinner of Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, Bart., K.CJJ., Cominander-in-Cliief at Portsmouth. The other guests included Lieut.-Commander Linzee and the Hon. Mrs. Linzee and Mr. C. H. Blackmore. On the Sunday night Lord aud Lady Craigavon came up to London and went stra.ght through from Euston to Straiiraer, whence they crossed to Lame for Belfast. . , A warm welcome awaited them at tha Midland Station, Belfast, which the boat train reached soon after 9 o'clock on Monday morning. The first to greet them when they stepped from the train was their son, the Hon. Denis Craig. Political colleagues, personal friends,, and a great many of the general public were on the platform and outside the barrier. ; There was a hearty cheer for the Ulster Premier when he passed through tha, barrier and entered his car. Lord Craigavon had an interview with' Press representatives, and his first words were to express his delight at being back once again, among his own people. "I want," he went on, "to give my grateful thanks to Mr. Pollock, who has acted for, me in my absence, and thanks also to my other colleagues in the Government for piloting through the necessary measures while Parliament was sitting. I also want to thank the people of Ulster for carrying .on in my absence and permitting me the privilege of a pro-, longed holiday. I return greatly benefited/ and, T trust, a better map for the wide . experience I have gained in studying the social conditions prevailing in Australia and New Zealand." ■ : ' . .;' SUCCESSFUL ORANGEMEN. The Premier said that one of the most interesting functions he had had to perform was the meeting and the thanking of those Orangemen who were ready to go to the assistance of Ulster in her past difficulties: Thanks to them had ~ been long delayed, but they understood tha situation thoroughly, and he need hardly say that the admiration they held for the people of Ulster was "beyond anything that he could record in a few words. "It made me prouder still of! the Ulster? stock," said ■ Lord Craigavon, "to observe the number of people of Northern Island who have succeeded in the Antipodes. ".,..- '■'■■■■ "I have not been long in coming to the conclusion," he "continued, "that we here in TJlster are as well off, if not better, off, than the people of anywhere else. At the same time there are certain improvements that travelling in distant regions suggest, and after I have consulted with. my # colleagues those things may guide us to'still further advancement along the road of 'prosperity."' .<- The Premier said he did not at that moment wish to go into details, but at 4 later date he would announce if anything" could be done to promote still further the interests of agriculture; which, as everyone knew, was the great staple industry of the- province. Whatever was done would be most cautiously considered. "Of course," he added, "there must;do nothing more read into this than my intense desire that our farmers should be made acquainted with the conditions prevailing elsewhere^' in order to draw, a comparison. I have-"'no. intention of launching any further schemes necessitating the expenditure of public funds." THE LINEN TRADE. Lord Craigavon also spoke .of the Ulster linen industry and its trade connections with "the .'Dominions;!''.'New Zealand, he said, was one of their very_ best customers, and in that country, as' well as in Melbourne and Sydney, his wife and he saw exhibitions o£ the finest of, Ulster manufacture, second tor none that could be staged here in "Linenopolis" or in London. " . ■, "The people are most: patriotic," he declared, "and where a preference can.be given, Ulster wins the day every time. The people thfere are patriotic to a de-' gree that would please the people -here, and as Mr. Baldwin, has outlined a closer trade relationship within the Empire, I am hopeful that still further preference can be made in the sale of our beautiful linens to the Dominions." The Prime Minister said he had been, deeply touched by the warm welcome accorded to his wife- and to him on their return. It was delightful "once again to shake the hands of the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress of Belfast. His wife and he had been at many civic receptions on their tour, but there were none they appreciated more. than, those of their own home town.. ~ i •' ■ ' - Interviewed at Euston before his departure north on Sunday, Lord Craigavon said that they had had a wonderful experience.' Everywhere they wenf_ they, found the people kind and v hospitable, and received the utmost courtesy and consideration from the civic and polfc'tical leaders in New Zealand and Australia. The two Prime Ministers, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr. Scullin, gave them a very cordial welcome, and Lord Craigavon said that he felt much indebted to them for the efforts they made, to add to the pleasure and interest of the tour. HOLIDAY WITHIN THE EMPIRE. . "I would like to impress upon people here the many attractions which th« Dominions offer for a holiday tour. Every year thousands of people go to the Continent, whereas a large proportion o£ them might spend a very healths', enjoyable, and instructive holiday within the Empire. If people who desire ttf spend a winter abroad could be induced to visit the Antipodes they would not only be trading within the Empire, but would have their minds broadened by the' acquisition of first-hand knowledge of their own kith and kin. The more we know of the Empire the prouder we shall -be of our great heritage. Speaking for myself, ■ I can truly say that this tour has enlarged ,my knowledge 'of ;_ and deepened my affection for the Empire."In the course .of a brief chat, Ladyi Craigavon said that she was delighted with the tour,, and would never forget the kindness which she and her husband experienced and the wonderful sights they had seen. ■ On the journey from Euston to Bel« fast, via Stranraer and Lame, Lord and Lady Craigavon had as travelling companions Sir Francis and Lady Macuaghten aud Mr. C. H. Blackrnore. They took with them a parrot which they brought from Stormont Castle ou the eve of their departure for New Zealand, and which has since been looked after b# their daughter, the Hon.- Mrs. Linzee.