FUTURE OF EMPIRE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 July 1927, Page 9

FUTURE OF EMPIRE

LATE EDITION

DUKE OF VORK OPTIMISTIC IMPRESSION'S OP HIS TOUR. GROWTH OF THE DOMINIONS. BY CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COP YEIGHT London il'-behaved .summer relented at midday and gave the most sun 113 setting to the Duke of York’s triumphant drive, accompanied by an escort ot Life Guards. Hie route u> Guildhall was packed with cheering throngs, the Duchess every where being delighttully greeted, especially by shop girts, who were perched on windows overlooking the Strand. . , . ~ The ceremony really constituted the Ihial episode 01 a wondertu tour. There were nine hundred guests, including the Prince of Wa/es, Prince George, the Duke of Connaught, the lit Hon. Stanley Baldwin, the lit. Hon. L. C. M. S. Auiery, Viscount Cavan, Earl Beatty.. Sir James Parr, Lady Parr Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London, Messrs Ramsay MacDonald and Thomas. . The first ceremony was in the library, where the guests were welcomed with a fanfare of trumpets, the Duchess looking her prettiest in a cream lace gown ami pink hat. The address of welcome recalled the yicits of the King and the Pwiu.ce ot Wales emphasising the tact, insight, and energy with which the Duke and Duchess had strengthened the IIS binding the Empire Luncheon was served in the lustorica. Guild Hall, further fanfares ot silver trumpets heralding the coming ot the guests to the top of the table. , Mr Baldwin emphasises that lie spoke not only on behalf of the City of London. but of the people of Britain. He rejoiced that the Duke and the Duchess especial'v had stood the strain of the lon o' tour so well. Few realised v. hat a strain it was; it was no easy task to be cheerful and easy tempered ad day and every day. Mr Baldwin concluded, coupling" with the toast of the Duke ancLDuchess “and a lady t have never met, but with whom I have already fallen in love with through her photojxrciTili—Princess Elizcibetn. # The Duke of York, replying, spoke very warmly and fluently, evidently deeply touched with the warmth of his reception everywhere. He was applauded when he paid tribute to the affectionate lovaty to the. Crown displayed throughout the visit, and gave a vivid word picture of the scenery and sorting possibilities. He concluded with a series of crisp expressions of what he had seen. It was noticed that the Duchess beamed approvingly when the Duke referred to the, beauty and physical fitness of the children of the two Dominions. loyalty of the people. dfke’S hopes’for the future

Received 12.10 p.m. to-day. LONDON, July 10. The Duke and Duchess of York had a wonderful reception from cheering crowds on their first public appearance since their return, when they visited the Guildhall. Responding to the toast at the luncheon, the Duke said: “We both have had a wonderful time during the last six months, whic have been the most interesting and memorable of our lives, but it is good to be in the Old Country again, in our own home with our own family. X have endeavoured everywhere to study the natural resources and industries. My first and foremost impression was th*e wonderful loyalty of all classes to the Throne and Empire, and their affection for the Mother Country, which they still call Home. When I say' loyal tv, I do not mean only loyalty in the sense of affection for His Majesty s person and family, of which, indeed, we had the most moving and abundant evidence personally', and in the remembrance of the visits of the. King, Queen and Prince of Whies, but in the widest sense of devotion to all those things for which the Crown and Empire stand .—justice, liberty', fair play and love of peace. “My second great impression was the marvellous development of Australia and New Zealand within three generations. When one reflects what the Dominions are to-day. and what they were a century ago, it is a tribute to British pluck and determination to have created these great civilised countries out of the wilds. No one can realise these things without seeing for himself the wonderful possibilities of the future, given a continuance of the 6pirit which animated the pioneer, and I am sure we need have no doubt of this. I sec no limit to the future development of these great countries, for which I predict a wonderful destiny as their population increases. Industry and production will grow in both Dominions. The people are united in the desire for larger population., but there is a general feeling that this can only be achieved progressively and by wise development. 111 this I am convinced that thev are right. Both countries are intensely British and are determined that their future population must be of British stock. Both are desirous of welcoming their kinsmen from Home, assisting them in the great task before them. “I am confident that, with wise development and increased power of absorbing large numbers, that they, in future, will be among the greatest homes of the British race. Not only will the increase mean a great acquisition of strength for the Empire with a desire for reciprocal trade, which is Australia’s and New Zealand’s policy, but it will provide increasing markets for British industry arid larger employment here and overseas. “Settlement overseas is one of the most important questions with which we have to deal to-day. Both Australia and New Zealand at present have great opportunities for settlers who have the will to succeed, though hard work is essential and the newcomer must be prepared to adapt himself to local conditions. “If I may make one practical suggestion, it is that a few of the successful settlers and wives who have been in the country, say, five years, should be sent Home to tell intending migrants the true facts, what successful settlers wanted. We must not overcolour or under-colour the picture, but tell the essential facts and conditions to be faced, which nobody can do better than the settler who himself has succeeded. It is desirable that all new settlors should develop the true Australian and New Zealand outlook, one of the best encouragements of which is family settlement for girls as well as boys. There is room for more Fairbridge schools. “Wo were immensely impressed by the happy faces, and the strong, sturdy appearance of the girls. They are the

host advertisement for the wonderful healthiness ot the climate and testimony to careful upbringing. “On our return from this remarkable opportunity, the Duchess and myself will try to act as interpreters between the parts of the Empire. Such personal intercourse is the best means of preserving the sense of kinship on which Empire unity largely rests. I return a thorough optimist,” declared the Duke of York enthusiastically. ‘‘When one has travelled the vast extents of our Empire, when one has witnessed what our fathers have accomplished. the great creative purpose of our overseas kinsmen has conquered the most tremendous difficulties, it is impossible to despair of the future of the British race. So long as we remain members of one family, with the qualities which successfully carried us through the war, we shall be enabled to surmount all diffisultics. ” —A.P.A. and “Sun.”