PRIINCE'S NEW TITLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19916, 9 April 1928, Page 12

PRIINCE'S NEW TITLE.

HEAD OF MERCHANT NAVY. STHE KING'S SPECIAL DESIRE, | MINISTERIAL ADVICE TAKEN. "[from: OUR OWN CORRESrONDKMT.J LONDON, Fob. 17.

Th<i Prince of Wales lias assumed the ftitle of "Master of tho Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets." This is by tho King's special wish and direction. Tho following announcement has appeared in mho London Gazette: —

"His Majesty the King has for some ■Jimci been considering what steps can bo taken to bring tho British Merchant Navy and fishing fleets into line with tho other great services of tho Empire, by having as their titular head some member of the Royal Family. With this eud in view, and in recognition of the splendid service which tho Merchant Navy and iishing fleets have rendered to the Empire for many centuries, both in peace nnd in war, His Majesty, after taking Ministerial advice, has asked H.R.11. the Prince of Wales to assume the title of "'Master of tho Merchant Navy and fishing Fleets." Some time ago, it is understood, the King's intention was referred to two very high officials of tho Admiralty and tho Board of Trade for confidential investigation, and not until they had carefully fctudied it in all its bearings, and made discreet inquiries in various quarters, did they report that tho merchant service would most heartily welcome His Royal Highness as its first titular ?'Jhead." No Historic Precedent. Exhaustive research in the naval and other archives has failed to disclose «ny historic precedent for such an appointment. Its purposo is to impress tho i'act that tho men who go down to the Eea in ships—whether in some stately liner or in a barge merely carrying bricks, and whether as navigating officers or as humble hands on a trawler —are really a unit, and that there is also a direct connection between their service for the Empire's welfare and tho Crown itself.

The King desired that there should be no suggestion of a military authority in the new title for the Prince of Wales, tince tho appointment does not in any way entail the introduction of a military status into the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets. The Prince will be Master, not only of the men, but also of the stewardesses, the latter of whom are specially mentioned in a statement issued by the Admiralty relative to the new position. This statement includes the following passages:— Tribute to Merchant Service.

"In peace and war the Empire is dependent upon the fa.it.hful services of the Merchant Navy, and it is in order to do honour to this fine body of officers and men and stewardesses, and to bring them more closely into touch with the Crown, that His "Majesty has decided to appoint H.R.H., tho Prince of Wales as their head. "The Empire has always realised the ,value of the Merchant Navy, which great service came specially before the public in the Great War, when,, under the protection of the Royal Navy, it carried on our commerce, transported our troops, and maintained the supply of our. foodstuffs. "The officers and men of the Merchant !Navy and Fishing Fleets, also joined v the R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. in large numbers, and fought throughout the war side by side with the officers and men of the Navy." When acting in his new capacity at official ceremonies, such as the opening of new docks, the Prince will wear the standard uniform of the merchant service. He will not be invested with the title at any formal ceremony, but on February 25 be" will attend the "dinner of the United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping, and this will be his first public appearance after Assuming the new dignity. Next month be will attend the Master Mariners' Company dinner, and in May he will open the new extension of the .Avonmouih Bocks.