INVITED TO NEW ZEALAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9607, 5 September 1911, Page 3

INVITED TO NEW ZEALAND.

THE QUEEN MOTHER'S REPLY. (Pur Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept 4. Sir Joseph and Lady Ward and Sir John and Lady Findlay wero entertained at a largo gathering by the- Women's Social and Political League to-night and warmly welcomed back from London. In his speech Sir Joseph Ward made an interesting announcement that lie had invited Queen Alexandra to visit New Zealand. Tlio following correspondence explained itself. Hotel Cecil, sth July, 1911. Dear Mr Harcourt.-Woiild vo'u bo so good as to convey to Her Majesty Queen Alexandra a cordial invitation from the Government and people of New Zealand to visit tlio Dominion as tho guest of (ho country. The women of New Zealand especially would be proud indeed, if Her Majesty wero to bestow such a favour I may say I spoko to His Majesty the King on tlio mailer and ho expressed hi s concurrence in my extending.the invitation to his Royal mother. Yours sincerely—J, GL Ward. Marlboro' House Pall Mall, S.W., July 10,1911. Dear Sir Joseph Ward-Mr Hareonrt lias forwarded to mo your letter ,to him of tho 51 h mst., which I havo ls requested submitted to Queen Alexandra and I am now charged by Her Majesty to deliver you the following reply:— Queen Alexandra is deeply touched at rooming the invitation from the people of New Zealand to visit tho Dominion. i\ot ling, would havo given more pleasure o Her Majesty than to accept had it been possible, the invitation lo visit, a Par of the British Dominion of whose kindly feeling and warmth of sentiment to tho Mother Country she has «*„ m »«»ny Proofs. It has always been her sorrow that she was never «ble lo visit ho Overseas Dominions with her beloved Consort in Ins lifetime, and she feek now that it would bo too painful toher o under ake jo important a. journey as his is, deprived oftho presence of one liy "-hosos.de for 47 years ,dl such visits ' were made. ' ' i .Queen .Alexandra feels sure ilia) f i )r ! Mid-hearted people, of New Zealand will ! imdmtand tins and will forgive her for lot accopling tho invitation she «o eren'lv ipnrcciatod.-I remain. Dear Sir Joseph. l Very faithfully yours. ; ,n? b v Go,,ernl Comptroller to 11M. Queen Alexandra.