Royal Party Sails For Home

Northern Advocate, 26 April 1947, Page 5

Royal Party Sails For Home

CAPETOWN, April 25. HMS Vanguard, with the Royal Family on board, left Capetown at 2 p.m. yesterday for Britain. The voyage will occupy 17 days. Cheering crowds at the dockside saw Vanguard leave and remained there singing after the battleship had gone. Their Majesties and the Princesses stood for a long time on the special fore turret landing waving- and smiling. The Royal tour of South Africa was an unqualified and triumphant success, says The Times correspondent. The “correctness” of the welcome to the Royal Family was never, throughout the country, in question. Previous fears that republican Nationalists might be politically awkward proved groundless. The threat of an Indian boycott was never serious or representative. Nevertheless, the fervour of the welcome amazed many people. IN LOVE WITH QUEEN South Africans of all colours fell in love with' the Queen whose charm, transformed loyalty and politeness, or just curiosity, into almfSst adoring devotion. The King and Queen and the Princesses were seen in the midst of a throng of Cabinet Ministers and distinguished persons on the leave-taking dais. Stirring songs such as “Will Ye No Come Back Again,” and "Land of Hope and Glory,” and “Auld Lang Syne,” swelled from the tossing sea of waving handkerchiefs and fluttering flags on the quay as Vanguard edged away. Their Majesties, as the ship receded, were seen waving until out of sight. The correspondent adds that it is highly unlikely that the tour will have any direct effect on South African politics, or that it will affect voting at the next election. CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN In a farewell speech to Their. Majesties at a State luncheon • FieldMarshal Smuts said South Africa was confident Britain would emerge from her present trials once again the leader of wise and moderate opinion in the world. “Tormented by uncertainties and perils as never before,” Field-Marshal Smuts added, addressing the Royal party, “we should like to take the opportunity of sending a special greeting to the people of Britain who so . generously spared you for us at a time when, after the endurance of war, they are yet called upon to undergo still further sacrifices so that the peace for which we fought maiy not have been fought in vain. “Our thoughts are constantly ..with them.- • - • • “Our hearts are with them. in - theifi anxieties and heroic endeavours.” ALL SECTIONS THRILLED Field-Marshal Smuts said there had never been in the history of South Africa such a personal national emotion as the Royal visit had inspired. Its after effects would endure and become part of South Africa’s history, continuing as a , beneficient. influence and moulding the Dominion’s national life. - All sections of a people of all races and colours had been thrilled by meeting the Royal Family. Their lives had been enriched. r The Royal Family had seen South Africa, its human drama, its men; women and children. The people’s warm and sincere welcome must have made an even deeper appear than the wonders of the land they lived in. - - “For this opportunity to make your ' personal, living acquaintance, we thank you most sincerely,” he said. “Your visit in the true sense has been a revelation to us who, in our simplicity, never expected such' an experience.

“TOT SIENS” “We can but thank you for the opportunity your visit has given us to demonstrate the strength of our gratitude and our affection and devotion to the Royal Family. “While we bid you good-bye, we would add ‘tot seins’ (see you again).” His Majesty in reply said the curtain was being rung down on a visit almost unparalleled in the history of the British Commonwealth, but which he hoped would be less unusual in the future. ....... The journey through the Union of South Africa had been more than merely interesting and enjoyable. It would be remembered because of the generous measure of loyalty and affection all sections of the people had given them. He thanked Field-Marshal Smuts for the message of sympathy to the' British people. This, he said, would strengthen them in the struggle they < were waging against their present difficulties. RECOVERY FROM WAR “.You are the first Dominion we have had - the privilege of visiting after the war,” His Majesty said. “It has been a great source of comfort to see how quickly South Africa is recoving from her great war effort. “The British people are aware of your progress. “Your confidence in them is fully reciprocated in their confidence in you and your future. "From all I have seen in this visit, I admire the courage and vigour with which your people grapple with the task before them.” His Majesty said there was no reason to doubt that South Africans would succeed in building'up a great country with a high, honoured place in Africa and among the countries of the world. 'They would have the British people’s full support. "The time has come for us to say good-bye. “We have this consolation that we carry away very happy memories of a goodly land and a kind, friendly, warm-hearted people.” Field-Marshal Smuts told the Assembly that the costs of the gifts to the Royal Family during the tour totalled £28,000. This included the South African purchase value of the diamonds presented, although the Government incurred. no outlay because the diamonds had been supplied from stocks.