PRINCE’S REPLY

Evening Star, Issue 21905, 17 December 1934, Page 10

PRINCE’S REPLY

MDDES! AND ENDEARING ADDRESS “ Although you are entertaining me in the capital, I feel that, so far, I am" only on the threshold of New Zealand,”said His Royal -Highness, speaking in reply to Mr Forbes at the State luncheon. “ You have opened the door and bidden me welcome, "and I enter eager to see and to learn all that :If can in the course of my extensive tour throughout the country, which you have so considerately arranged for me, “You have, sir, made clear the feelings of loyalty with which the King, my father, is regarded by the whole people ,of New Zealand, and their attachment to. the Empire. I know that when I return Home I shall he able’to support your words by my . personal experience. You have made kindly reference to previous visits paid by members of my, family to this country. From what they have told me, and, incidentally, I may say I have never met any visitor to New Zealand who did not express, the wish to return here, !! have been particularly anxious to come and see a country of whose beauty and fertility I have heard ,so much, and its people, both pakeha and Maori, who have established so great a reputation in the war. I' look forward especially to meeting the members of the Maori race, a race of warriors and athletes who proved so staunch in their loyalty, to the Empire, and such helpful part- . ners here in the work of the country. “ I know, sir, that New. Zealand has led the world in many forms of social legislation, and this: fact adds greatly to the interest .of . a visitor-in;,going! among the poeple and observing the conditions under which they live, both in the cities and in the country districts. ‘ The' great, dominions provide their children with a wonderful openair life, and it is small wonder that one sees nothing but healthy,, happy faces on all sides. I know that' their welcome to me as I go through this . dominion will be one of ihy.most enjoyable experiences; • ,

“To turn for the moment t6'- f, !es'a cheerful matters, may I say that I realise liow very serious has been the depression through . which New. Zealand has recently passed. . I sincerely, hop© that the rift now visible in the clouds is truly a portent of fair weather, and that you will soon emerge into the sunshine of prosperity, especially as regards the marketing of the primary products of which the trade of these islands mainly consists. ■ - “ I thank you, gentlemen, for your ' hospitality to in© to-day, and I ask you as the representatives of the people-of New Zealand to say that I,bring to them and their children at this Christmas time a message of greeting a-nd good wishes from , their kinsmen at home.”- ’ ’ • ■ .