DUKE AT GUILDHALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19691, 18 July 1927, Page 10

DUKE AT GUILDHALL.

REVIEW OF EMPIRE TOUR.

TRIBUTE TO DOMINIONS.

LONDON'S GREAT RECEPTION, By Tolegraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z- LONDON, July L 5. Cheering crowds in the London Streets gave a wonderful reception to the Duke and Duchess of York to-day when they made their first public appearnnce since their return from their tour, on their way to the Guildhall.

In his reply to the toast of the health of the Royal pair, at luncheon, the Duke said:—"We had a wonderful time. For both of us the last six months have been the most interesting and most memorable time of our lives. . "But still it is good to be in the Old Country again, and in our own home with our own family.

"I endeavoured everywhere we went to study the natural resources and industries. My first and foremost impression was the wonderful loyalty of all classes to the Throne and the Empire, and their affection for the Mother Country, which they still call Home.

"When I say loyalty, I mean not 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 and Queen and the Prince of Wales—but in the widest sense of devotion to all those things for which the Crown and the Empire stand, justice, liberty, fair play and a love of peace. "My second great impression was of 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. Great Work of the Pioneers.

"It is a tribute to British pluck and determination that they 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 spirit which animated the pioneers—and I am sure we need have no doubt of that—l, see no limit to the future development of these great countries, for which I predict a wonderful destiny, as their populations increase and industry and production grow, "In both the Dominions the 'people are united in their desire for a larger population, but there is a general feeling that this can only be achieved progressively and by wise development, and in that I am convinced that they are right. "Both countries are intensely British, and are determined that their future populations must be of British stock. Both are desirous of welcoming their kinsmen from Home and of assisting them in the great task before them. Information for Immigrants.

"I am confident that with wise development and an increased power of absorbing large numbers, they will in the future be one of the greatest homes of the British race.

"Not only will such an increase mean a great acquisition of strength to the Empire, with a desire for reciprocal trade, which is the policy of both Australia and New Zealand, but it \yill pro-. Vide increasing markets for British industry, with 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 with the will to succeed, though hard work is essential. 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 their wives, who have been in the country say, for five years, should be sent Home, to tell intending migrants the true facts. "If successful settlers are wanted, they must not overcolour or lindercolour the picture, but must tell the essential facts and the conditions to be faced, which nobody could do better than the settler who has himself succeeded. Value o! Family Settlement." "It is desirable that all new settlers should develop the true Australian and New Zealand outlook for which one of the best encouragements is family settlement, with the girls as well as the boys. There is room for more Fairbridge schools. "We were immensely impressed by the happy faces and the strong and sturdy appearance of the girls, which are the best advertisement for the wonderful healthiness of the climate, and a testimony to their careful upbringing. "In return for this remarkable opportunity, the. Duchess and I will try to act as interpreters between the different parts,of the Empire.' Such personal intercourse is the best means of preserving the sense of kinship on which the unity of the Empire largely rests. "I have returned a thorough optimist," declared the Duke enthusiastically. "When I travelled over the vast extents of our Empire, when I witnessed what our fathers have accomplished, when 1 saw how by their grit and creative purpose our overseas kinsmen». have conquered the most tremendous difficulties, j 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, and which will enable us to surmount all our difficulties." Fitting Finale To Tour. The sun shone brilliantly as the Royal pair drove to the Guildhall, with an escprt of Life Guards. The route was packed with cheering throngs, and the Duchess, who wore cream lace and a pink hat, was everywhere delightedly greeted, especially by the shop girls, who perched on the windows overlooking the Strand. ■ The ceremony really constituted the final episode of a wonderful tour. It was not only London's official welcome home, but was a reun'on with the Dominion officials, with whom the Duke and Duchess say they range themselves in making known the virtues and anxieties of the Epipire Southern outposts. There were 900 guests at the luncheon, including the Prince of Wales, Prince George, the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, Sir James and Lady Parr, and many other leading people, j The first ceremony was in the Library, where the address of welcome recalled the visits ol the King and the Prince Wales to the Dominions, and referred

to the tact, insight, and energy of the Duke and Duchess, which had strengthened the ties that bind the Empire together.

Mr." Baldwin said he spoke not only on behalf of the City of London, but of the people of Britain. They rejoiced that the Duke, and the Duchess especially, had stood the strain of their long tour so well. It was no easy task to be cheerful and easy-tempered all day and every day. Mr. Baldwin concluded by coupling with the toast of the Duke and' Duchess that of "a lady whom I have never met, but with whom I have already fallen in love through her photograph—Princess Elizabeth." The Duke, in his rpply, spoke warmly and fluently, and was evidently deeply touched by the warmth of his reception. 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.