THE DUKE OF YORK.

Evening Star, Issue 19273, 11 June 1926, Page 6

THE DUKE OF YORK.

In days that have passed Royal personages seldom travelled far from their own countries, except when they were warriors leading their troopk to battle. The time absorbed and the risk involved proved effective barriers. Those advisers around tho throne whose duties implied the safe-keeping of Royalty set their faces steadfastly against long journeys abroad. Quite a sensation was caused in England when it was announced that the Heir Apparent (King Edward VII.) was to visit India. It is true that his younger brother, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, had travelled far and wide; but he was a sailor, and his voyages were chiefly in tbe path of duty. Xu the half-century that has elapsed since King Edward, as Prince of Wales, set sail for India vast improvements have been made in the modes of communication and in the control of disease, thus greatly lessening the risks of travel in tropical countries. These advances and tho growth of the democratic spirit have had the effect of relaxing the rigid procedure of the past. Two Princes in direct succession to the Throne have visited Australia and Now Zealand. His Majesty King George V., when Duke of Cornwall, came to New Zealand after taking the leading part in the impressive ceremony which marked the inauguration in 1901 of the Commonwealth of Australia. Nineteen years later his eldest son Edward, Prince of Wales, made his memorable journey to these southern dominions. On each occasion the widespread affection and esteem which is felt throughout the Empire for the House of Windsor was manifested in tho enthusiastic demonstrations of loyalty that occurred. Since then the Prince of Wales has visited Canada and Africa among our own possessions, as well as foreign countries. Ho has been called tho Ambassador of Empire, and few will question the statement that he has done much to keep firm the tics that bind the dominions to the Mother Land. Now it appears that there is a probability that the Duke of York, the King’s second son, will follow up the work of his father by presiding nt the official function for the opening of the Federal capital at Canberra. Except for one trip to East Africa, the Duke of York has not travelled in the dominions. At the farewell dinner in London to Sir James Allen a message was read from Mr Coates expressing New Zealand’s determination to foster Empire unity and extending to tho Duke and Duchess of York the heartiest invitation to visit New Zealand. The Duke, who was present, uttered the significant words: “I hope the invitation may shortly bo fulfilled.” We can assume, therefore, that unless any untoward event happens tho Duke of York will come to this dominion next year. His personality has been overshadowed to some extent by that of the Prince of Wales and by the fact that the Prince is heir to tho throne.

The Duke of York, however, enjoys great personal popularity in Britain because of his friendly and democratic ways. The Duchess is equally well liked, and should the winds of fortune waft them to these shores they will, in the words of Sir James Allen, be accorded the warmest of receptions.