DUKE OF YORK’S TOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 August 1926, Page 8

DUKE OF YORK’S TOUR.

THE VISIT TO AUSTRALIA

PREPARATIONS ALREADY BEGUN

SYDNEY, July 22

The long-impending and eagerlyawaited announcement that the Duke and Duchess of York are to visit- Australia and New Zealand next, year, primarily for the purpose of attending the opening of Parliament, at Ganbena, it now Australian Federal capital, lias given much pleasure and aroused interest in this country. Already preparations have been begun in a pieliininary fashion (says the Sydney coirespondent of the Auckland Herald). Details ot‘ the itinerary in Australia have, of course, all to be arranged, but steps have been taken to appoint representative committees in all the. States, as well as a Federal one. The only date so far fixed with any certainty is May 9, appointed for the official opening of the Commonwealth Parliament at Canberra. On this occasion the Duke will read a speech recounting the progress made by Australia since Federation, the achievements of the people and the most notable events in the history of the Commonwealth.

Nothing definite has yet been arranged as to the programme of events at Canberra. Owing to the lack of accommodation, most; of the visitors will leave immediately after the ceremonies, and it is not expected that any night function will be practicable. A committee of the Federal Cabinet will draw up plans for the Canberra opening, invitations to which will be issued to n large, number of representative people. At t ho moment there is no public, hall at Canberra capable of accommodating to lunch half the people who will be invited to witness the ceremonies.- The parties consequently will have, to be divided.

On the. occasion of tho visit of the Prince of Wales in 1920 marquees were used. All Canberra arrangements will be conditioned by the inadequacy of living and public accommodation in the event of a considerable influx of visitors. The present intention of the Federal Government, is to have only a spectacular opening of Parliament on May 9, with a very brief sitting, but no real business. Parliament will then probably adjourn until a later month, possibly September. One factor militating against a lengthy first sitting is the severity of the Canberra winter.

'Already public organisations are announcing plans to incorporate their activities in the Duke of York’s itinerary. The Melbourne City Council, for instance, has decided to expedite the rebuilding of its Town Hall, destroyed by fire last year, in order that it might bo ready for the Duke to open officially. Retailers in all the State capitals havedecided to decorate and illuminate their premises as they did during the Prince of Wales’ visit. But probably the- star feature of Sydney’s preparations will be a mammoth exhibition of Australian manufactures. The president of the Chamber of Manufactures here states that it will be arranged that, an exhibition on lines never hitherto attempted in the southern hemisphere, will be held simultaneously with the Royal visit to Sydney.

The proposal is that, the Duke should open a great exhibition of Australian goods, the display to bo concentrated, if possible, in one of the great city buildings. Manufacturers from all States and New Zealand will be allotted space to present: their wares in novel and attractive fashion. This determination to sot, preparations afoot; months before the Royal visit is an indication of the delight, with which the people here have received the news of their coming.