The Hawera Star THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1927. END OF THE ROYAL TOUR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 May 1927, Page 4

The Hawera Star

THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1927. END OF THE ROYAL TOUR.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’otook in Ilawera, Manaia. Norraanby, Okaiawa ElLliam, Mangatoki. Kaponga, Alova nurleyville. Patea, Waveriey, Mokoia. Whakainara. Ohangai. Meremere Frasei Road and Ararata

The tour of the Duke tind Duchess of York ends with their departure in the Renown from Fremantle. It has been long and extensive, entailing on the Royal pair much travel of a varied kind, many ceremonies, and, it can be taken for granted, much fatigue. The people of every place visited, without exception, took great pains to make a notable event of the presence of these distinguished visitors in their midst. Now that it is over, to sum up results or gains is not easy. All that the tour meant is bound up with sentiment is an impalpable substance to weigh or measure. Yet this tour has been an important event, especially occurring just when it did. In all that has been spoken or written of the new spirit in the Empire, the surging of national aspirations among the selfgoverning Dominions, the demand for declared equality of status, it has beei emphasised more than ever- that the Throne is the great symbol of unity, loyalty to the reigning house the bond between the different units. This tour, then, has giVen opportunity for expression of that loyalty, for taking again the vows of belief in, pride in, and support for the unity between the diverse elements of the Empire. It has been availed of to the full. Everywhere enthusiasm, unforced and unrehearsed, greeted the Royal visitors, to remain at high tide as long as they were present. It was as conspicuous in the individual as it was in communities. Personal acceptability in the Duke and Duchess helped in its maintenance, but they were welcomed for what they represented, as well as for what they were. A glimpse, brief and passing jjerliaps, of members of the Royal house anadc visible the link which binds but does not chafe. For such reasons the tour was an event of historic worth.