Enthusiasm, Apathy Greet Royal Family

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1947, Page 7

Enthusiasm, Apathy Greet Royal Family

(11.45 a.m.) CAPETOWN. Mar. 7. Crowds gathered at dawn at Bloemfontein to welcome the Royal Family. Hundreds rode 30 miles to cheer the Royal train on its way to the capital. Thousands of others trekked many miles across the veldt.

His Majesty, replying to an address of welcome, referred to “your peaceful, happy province,” adding: “Here you live on land carved from the wilderness by your God-fearing forefathers. the Voortrekkers.” Reuter’s correspondent states that about 200 seats were empty at a receptioiti to the Royal party at the City Hall, which seats 1500.

Those present sang “God Save the King." but not the Union Anthem, when that was played by the band. HER FIRST FLIGHT Sixteen-year-old Princess Margaret will tomorrow make her first plane flight vhen the Royal party travels to the Orange Free State game reserve near Winburg, says Reuter’s correspondent.

He adds that the general impression is that engagements in this preponderately Afrikaans-speaking Nationalist centre have been successful. The majority of inhabitants warmly welcomed Their Majesties, although there were a number of abstentions from functions by elements not wishing to associate themselves with a tour planned by the Smuts Government.

The Orange Free State Nationalist Party’s official newspaper Die Volksblad, in an editorial, says: “We would be guilty of gross hypocrisy if we were to brim over with enthusiasm about the Royal Family. The republican ideal of our people is too deeply rooted.

“However, the fact remains that the Royal Family. arc our guests of honour and those responsible for this singular visit can be assured that the Free State will treat them with requisite hospitality and courtesy.

“At the same time we shall remain staunch Republicans.”