TALES OF THE DUKE

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 December 1934, Page 3

TALES OF THE DUKE

EFFICIENCY IN SOCIAL SERVICE The Duke of Gloucester is generosity itself in aiding good causes, but he insists that there shall be no waste in any of the institutions in which he interests himself. He likes things to be orderly and carried out in a “sol-dier-like” fashion, and though very far from being a martinet can say very trenchant things when inefficiency comes under his notice. When the public sees the name of.the Duke of Gloucester on a subscription list, it may be sure that all the moneys subscribed will be well and usefully expended. When Prince Henry came of age, a leading English newspaper referred to him as “a young man of engaging personality, who would find his way to the hearts of the people,” and went on to say that he had reached manhood, “a fine Englishman, fond of sport, and the outdoor life.”

A “fine Englishman” is what Prince Henry most desired to be. The year of his majority was a very busy one, for besides performing his military duties he attended many public ceremonies, perhaps the most interesting being his reception of the Freedom of the City of London.

He has always taken a keen interest in hospitals and has frequently been their unobtrusive friend. Indeed, the Duke has always been ready to help a good cause by giving his patronage, presiding at meetings, and opening subscription lists. Such work has always been done without ostentation, but. like all the members of the Royal Family, the Duke undertakes a personal investigation to make certain that the money is being wisely spent in 'a good cause. A friend dubbed hini “the Prince of Beggars” when he raised £15,000 in a few minutes for a favourite hospital. His Royal Highness is alive to the importance of youthful emigration, and is particularly interested in the “Big Brother” movement, of which the Prince of Wales is the head. In 1923 the Prince of Wales made a moving appeal on behalf of the Child Emigration Society, and twelve months later the Duke of Gloucester spoke for the same good cause. The occasion was a luncheon given by the chairman of the society, Sir Arthur Lawley, who, in his speech, paid a high tribute to the founder of the society, the late Mr. FairbrMge, who started the Fairbridge Farm School, Pinjarra, Western Australia. Like his brother, the Duke of York the Duke of Gloucester is keenly interested in all movements connected with the welfare of lads of the working classes, and his speeches on this subject reveal not only a sympathetic mind but a real knowledge of a boy’s needs and the problems connected with the difficult period of adolescence. His mail almost equals the average of the Duke of York, his interest in the welfare of boys and lads just leaving school bringing him letters from all parts of the kingdom. He is president of the National Association of Boys’ Clubs, and regularly inspects the various centres. “Every boy is a potential leader. Think big and act big,” he said when inspecting the Central Lads’ Club at Huddersfield in 1929.

“BROADCASTING” UNCLE His interest, in the younger people is shown by a conversation which took place when the Prince of Wales and

he happened to be discussing what they w'ould do if they were not Princes. “I should go to sea,” said the Prince of Wales.

“The army for me,” said the Duke of Gloucester.

The Prince of Wales raised a quizzical eyebrow. “The Army? Why, Fred, I am certain you would have been much more successful as a broadcasting uncle.” The Duke does act as “uncle” to hundreds of boys, especially those who through unemployment are more or less stranded when they leave school. He makes many presents of boxing gloves, cricket bats, pads, and other gear for games to deserving clubs in poor districts, and many a lad enjoys a game of cricket through the Duke’s “uncle-like” qualities. For the same reason the Duke of Gloucester is interested in hospitals for crippled children. In order to assist the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital he associated himself with it and worked hard on its behalf.

His Royal Highness remembers the lathe and other tools with which his brothers and he experimented as children at Sandringham, and is always pleased when he sees boys being taught how to use their hands. He mentioned the lathe when visiting the Central Lads’ Club at Huddersfield, saying that, he hoped the boys would not trv to drill holes in one another’s hands," as hr and his brothers had almost succeeded in doing once or twice. “I hope you won’t use that lathe I see there,” he said, ‘‘for the purposes of watch-repairing. I remember that my elder brother, the Prince of Wales, insisted that he would repair a watch for me once with the aid of screw-driver and hammer, though there was nothing the matter with it beyond the fact that I had forgotten to wind it.” In the Kitchen of this club the Duke found pies being made and asked with a twinkle in his eye what became of the pies when they were baked. He learned that there was to be a bonfire that night and a pie-supper afterwards. “It looks to me as if that were, one way of cutting the bonfire short,” he said. His Royal Highness is exceedingly thorough in all he undertakes. He was I once approached by the secretary oi a newly-formed philanthropic society the members of which were composed mostly of social climbers who hoped for Royal recognition—asking for his patronage. . “Certainly." said the Prince. But I shall first require a report of youi scheme and an account of your work-ing-expenses.” The secretary gasped. He had been under the pleasant delusion that Royal patrons smiled on all good works and asked no questions. “I fear we have nothing on papei, he stammered. “Well, when you have, send it to me and I’ll go further into the matter, was the quiet reply. . ... And tiiat particular society is still without Royal patronage. His Royal Highness has taken an active interest in scientific work. Early in March, 1928, as presfent of the Lancashire, Cheshire, and Noi th Wales Council of the British Empire Cancel Campaign, he inaugurated Lancashire appeal at Manchester and Liveipool. He is keenly interested in the Royal Agricultural Society and Royal Veterinary College, and will In ! president for 1935 of the fuff s Improvement and National Light Iloise Breeding Society.