ROYAL VISIT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 11

ROYAL VISIT

FAIR AT OLYMPIA

THE EMPIRE SECTION

STANDS INSPECTED

United Press Association—B.v Electric Tele, graph—Copyright.

(Received February 17, 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, February 16.

A great crowd turned out to see the Royal Family inspect the Empire section at the British Industries Fair. The road outside Olympia was a black mass of people- as Queen Mary and the Princess Royal, followed by the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the King and Queen, arrived. The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Kent was a complete surprise to the officials. It was the Duchess's first visit.

The displays of Australia and New Zealand, which are the first inside the door, got the most attention by the Royal i visitors. As the Queen Mother and the Princess Royal arrived there was a swift battle of tactics between Mr. Stanley Bruce, High Commissioner for Australia, and Mr. W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand, who were standing beside their respective stalls. Mr. Bruce got the visitors to the Australian stand first. Here Queen Mary had a short talk about the exhibits. Then Mr. Jordan, by a touch of wizardry, lured the couple to the New Zealand stand, where Queen Mary asked many questions, about honey and butter production. She was joined by their Majesties, the Queen recalling how she had inspected a butter factory during her visit to New Zealand. The Royal party then'moved off, but Mr. Bruce triumphed a few minutes later when the party was passing the Australian stand, and again had the King and Queen inside the stall, where they talked and laughed for some time, their, Majesties showing keen interest in a large photographed reproduction of incidents of their Australian tour.

Altogether the party spent about an hour inspecting every stand before their departure.