Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th., 1934. THE DUKE’S TOUR.

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 September 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6th., 1934. THE DUKE’S TOUR.

yiiE Melbourne Centenary lias had much preliminary publicity, but from now on, the stream • will become a flood, until those who are not attending the Victorian capital may become tired of the word centenary, no matter how it is pronounced. First, the Duke of Gloucester has started on his tour, and messages from the f Sussex will tell of his progress. He should have a successful visit. Australia is cross for the moment with Britain, generally, for the produceimports restriction policy, and with Lancashire, in particular, for the talk of boycott, but on the other hand, Woodfull’s team won the “Ashes,” and this will compensate for much. The Federal elections will have given the Australian people a surfeit of controversy, and most will welcome the opportunity the Duke’s visit gives them of displaying co-operation for a change. The belief that to give the Royal guest a good time, it is necessary to arrange that they themselves have a better on this occasion, is already in evidence in Australian administrative circles, and despite the King’s and Duke’s expressed desires that economy should be exercised as far as is practicable, reports tell of unwarranted official extravagance. It is to be hoped that New Zealand will avoid similar waste of money, as conditions here have not improved to the degree justifying a. repetition of the lavish display by officials for officials, that marked the Duke’s brothers’ visits to the Dominion. Little has been told the New Zealand people of the Duke’s programme whilst in this country. It it difficult to believe that this still has to be decided in main items, and the sooner the nation is permitted to know what is proposed, the better. Many district and personal plans will depend partly on the Duke’s programme. The centres to be visited have not been notified. For instance, although the Duke is expected to'be in Greymouth about the second week in January next, the Mayor has yet received no intimation of such visit, and nothing can be done, meanwhile, in the way of preparation. Being the holiday season will be a factor that must be considered when outlining the’ district’s proposed programme,!

which should be devised to demonstrate loyalty and goodwill to the { distinguished guest, without strain I on local finances.