PRINCE AND PRESSMEN.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4012, 11 June 1920, Page 4

PRINCE AND PRESSMEN.

A HAPPY INTERLUDE. APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE. "DO NOT CROWD ME SO." Melbourne, June o. Unannounced by the press, though known confidentialy by all tite pressmen in Melbourne—and> the Prince's visit has naturally attracted many interstate journalists—the Prince, in his good nature, paid the press of Australia tho greatest compliment that it has yet received by interrupting his progress to the Town Hall and spend ing twenty minutes with a representative gathering of Commonwealth journalists at the Grand Hotel. This gathering was a welcome extended to tho overseas pressmen on the Renown, and the whole of tho pressmen in Melbourne were there. The great dining-room of the Grand Hotel was filled. At 9'o'clock .the Prince arrived. He wore full naval uniform, and in his | navy blue and gold lace, his epaulettes and the glittering rows and rows of medals on his breast, he presented a strikingly handsoule appearance. Mr Biggs, chairman of the State J Press Committee, welcomed him in a fine speech. A 'TRUMP TO ALL PRESSMEN. The Prince used no official language in his reply 1 He obviously telt himself, among friends, iie after thank--■■> ing the assemblage for the toast of his health—during tlie drinking of which he remained standing—-a departure from custom that surprised many—he said Ins tour would be happier if only the people did not crowd on him so. Here, he said, was a way in which the press could help him. He did not speak for himself when he mentioned the crowding—it was for the sake of the people. . The Prince's audience appreciated the charming modesty of that turn of phrase. He announced that he was issuing a message on this subject that would appear in the press, 3but he took.this opportunity to speak so that the journalists would know what he intended to do.

The health of Colonel Grigg, the Prince's military secretary—"a trump of all pressmen"—was then proposed, and, ' though Colonel Grigg tried to laughing good-hearterly, insisted on him taking his place by his side. It was obvious that the Prince highly relished the fact, that his military secretary should have to $o the talking instead of himself. All' Colonel Grigg said was that he did not come into the picture at all. And the audience laughed as heartedly as the •Prince. Mr Hughes, General Sir Brudenell White, and other guests were present. Then the Prince, having so pleasantly paid his brief courtesy call—though it was more spontaneous than that— sped on his way. through th© cheering crowds, to delight all the girls at the Town Hall with his handsome appearance. The invitations to the gathering were sent out by the- Commonwealth Government, and 500 attended.