AN HONOUR AND PLEASURE

Evening Star, Issue 21934, 22 January 1935, Page 6

AN HONOUR AND PLEASURE

PREMIER'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT The following statement was made by the Prime Minister (the lit. Hon. _(*. W. Forbes) this evening:—“ it has been a great honour and pleasure to the people of New Zealand to have had this visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester. Spontaneous enthusiasm and warm and sincere expressions of loyalty have been the keynotes of the welcome which has been accorded to His .Royal Highness from one end of the dominion to the other. We fully, realise the strain Which must have been imposed upon His Royal Highness in carrying out his duties and in the continuous travellings which the toiir entailed. ... “ The civic and local authorities have earned the highest Commendations tor the part they have played in receiving and entertaining our Royal guest, and I take this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable assistance thus rendered. The officials connected with the arrangements of the tour have performed their work well, and are to be complimented upon their efficiency. The Minister in attendance (Sir James Young) has reason to feel gratified with the manner in which his responsibilities have been discharged. In a sentence, remarkable success in every way has attended the tour. The people of New Zealand will retain lasting impressions of this Royal visit, which has afforded them further opportunity of showing their intense loyalty and devotion to the Throne.”

OFFICIAL STAFF THANKED With the conclusion to-day of the official section of the New Zealand tour of the Duke of Gloucester opportunity was taken by the Minister in attendance (Sir James Young) to express the thanks of the Government to the members of the New Zealand official party, who accompanied His Royal Highness. Addressing a parade of special police and the detective attachment under the Commissioner (Mr W. G. Wohlmann), the Minister said that the work of allranks had been magnificent and had won. the warm-hearted appreciated! of the Government. The duties of some men had been particularly arduous, especially those who were responsible for motor cycle work. The detective branch, too, required special mention, because its members had been on duty without let-up in older to 'provide the necessary service throughout the twenty-four hours in the protection of the person of His Royal Highness. The general rank and" file, Mr Young added, "had discharged their duties with skill and tact, their work in controlling the crowds and regulating all forms of traffic being particularly commendable. “New Zealand is to he congratulated,” he said, “ on having such a fine force imbued with the right sense of duty to the community.” The Minister communicated, to the official chauffeurs the Government’s thanks for their loyal and efficient services. It was not generally realised, be said, that apart from ceremonial occasions the drivers had been called upon continuously and at times had had to travel all night between railway engagements to ensure adherence to the following day’s schedule. .The character of the men had been most exemplary, and their work had been efficient in the highest degree. . , Mr Young similarly addressed the baggage officers, whose work was most exacting. It was a matter for congratulation/ and satisfaction that out of the 350 packages handled daily during the tour not one had been lost. ■