THE ROYAL TOUR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4316, 27 March 1901, Page 5

THE ROYAL TOUR.

ARRIVAL OF THE OPHIR AT MALTA. GREAT NAVAL DISPLAY. LONDON, March 25. A number of warships and torpedoboat destroyers met the Ophir cutsido the harbour of La Valetta. the chief port of Malta. The gambols of the destroyers were the chief feature of the naval display in the approach to the island. Magnificent gun-fire was maintained from the battleships and the forts as the Ophir steamed into harbour. • The! Duke of Cornwall signalled his thanks for the welcome by means of wireless telegraphy, saying, "I am glad to be with you again on such an interesting occasion.” The weather was brilliant.

DECISION BY THE CABINET

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE

AN INDEMNITY BILL TO BE PROMOTED.

On the subject of the reception of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the Premier yesterday sent the following telegram to. the Mayor of Dunedin: “There was no intention to evade the questions raised in your first telegram, and after again perusing the same I fail to find the direct questions now asked—namely, ‘Will the Government grant the Borough Council any financial assistance towards defraying expemses incurred in connection with the reception of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York?’ and further, ‘Will the Government promote a Bill and endeavour to get the same passed through Parliament, making legal any amount voted and expended which may not strictly speaking be legal ?’ “In answer to the'first question, Will the Government grant a sum of money to the Council? it is to your credit and to the honour of your city that you have not in the telegram under reply asked in tho concrete, but have, by way of query in the abstract, asked the Government its intentions. -The Government has been asked, however, by Wellington and Christchurch for direct monetary assistance, and the reply has been that the Government does not see its way without the authority of Parliament to expend moneys out of the Consolidated Fund for the general decorating, illuminating and providing for the convenience! of citizens incidental to the visit of our illustrious guests. Wo have, however, outside the direct and general entertaining and reception of their Royal Highnesses, and suite, by the Government of the colony, decided to illuminate the Government Buildings, construct platforms for the use .of distinguished guests accompanying their Royal Highnesses, and erect on el arch in each of the four centres. For this purpose the sum of £IOOO will be devoted and expended in each of the four cities honoured by our Roj'al visitors. “The' patriotism of your citizens in the past has evoked profound admiration, and their sterling response at the call of duty has ever given confidence; and the Government feels assured that they will rise to the present groat, unique and pleasurable occasion. We feel further certain that yourself and the other civic representatives will do their best to assist the people in manifesting an impressive and spontaneous display of loyalty and unstinted hospitality to the beloved son of our King andi grandson of our late beloved and ever-reivered Queen. • “In doing this an expenditure in excess of that allowed by law will most probably be incurred, and to meet this emergency the Government proposes to promote and to use its best efforts to pass an Act of indemnity. The extraordinary and unprecedented situation, the honour and pleasure conferred by the visit of their Royal Highnesses, warrant me in coming to the conclusion that there will be no difficulty in passing such an : Act at a very early stage of next session ; ’ and those members of Parliament whom T have spoken to on the subject are all and. consider it a proper ! thing to do.

“Mr Holmes, the executive commissioner, will be with you in the course of a few days, and will explain fully and generally the outline of what is required to make the reception a great success, and one that yourself, the Councillors and the citizens of Dunedin, Southland and Otago, and the colony may well feel proud of. “Don't forget the old adage, ‘Faint heart never won fair lady,’ and that enthusiasm in a cause always carries the day.”

VIEWS OF THE RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATIdN. ,

The following motion, proposed by Mr Underwood, was submitted at last night’s meeting of the, Wellington Ratepayers’ Association:—“That in the opinion of this association, the Mayor deserves the- thanks of"the ratepayers of the city for refusing to saddle the city with a debt cf £4OOO for the purpose of display at the reception of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, and the association is further of opinion that_ a sufficient sum would bo subscribed b> tradespeople and residents who are likely to benefit by, the visit, and also by those who will have the honour of taking a prominent part in the reception. Should this means cf obtaining a sufficient sum fail, as the visitors are the guests of the colony, the cost should he paid by the Government.” (Hear, hear.) The Chairman : ‘“Hear, hear,’ to that every time.” Mr Underwood said that an expenditure of £4OOO would involve a permanent charge of £l6O a year for interest. At these receptions the favoured few occupied positions of honour, while the general public, who supplied the money, were shoved into the gutter and kept out of the way. As the Premier had invited the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall here as the guests of the colony. the Government should find the money. , Mr C. Swiney seconded the motion, maintaining that every person in the colony should equally bear a portion of the expense. This was a purely colonial affair, and the cost would fall very lightly if made a general charge on the- taxpayers, whereas it would be a serious burden if levied on the ratepayers. The motion was carried without dissent. Mr Alexander Wilson wished to send a protest to tile Premier, and proposed a motion on 'the subject. The motion expressed the opinion that- the cost •should fall on the taxpayer, and as that had been affirmed in the resolution just carried, Mr ikon’s was not seconded.

AUCKLAND HARBOUR BOARD

The Premier has received the following telegram from Hr Alfred Kidd, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board : —“This Board proposes to use its utmost endeavours to give Roy a! visitors a hearty reception, and will consequently incur great expense. _At n resent law precludes us-from incurring expenditure "of this description. Please

inform me, if'-Board incuts expenditure for welcome to Royal visitors, will Gorornmefit bring in a Bill to validate such, expenditure?” j The Premier yesterday replied to Mr Kidd in the following terms: —“The Government will bring in a Bill and endeavour to pass same into law validating expenditure incurred by Harbour Board in providing a fitting reception to the illustrious guests, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, while visiting AuoAo laud.”