THE ROYAL VISIT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIV, Issue 12659, 20 January 1927, Page 7

THE ROYAL VISIT

ORDER OF CEREMONIES QUESTION OF PROCEDURE AND DRESS SPEECHES TO BE CURTAILED During their visit to Auckland and Wellington, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York will stay with their Excellencies the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Alice Ferguseon at Government House. For the New Zealand tour their Royal Highnesses will be the guests of the Government. The procedure adopted in the case of the visit to the Dominion of the Prince of Wales, when tbo GovernorGeneral was given precedence of his Royal Highness, will be followed in connection with the forthcoming Royal visit, and the Governor-General will therefore not accompany their Royal Highnesses on their tour. POINTS OF ETIQUETTE A number of inquiries haying been received on points of prescriptive etiquette, it is thought that, the following information concerning established usage may be of general interest:— It is not in conformity with modern practice for members of the Royal Family to accept gifts from societies or sections of the population in the case of official visits. Exceptions to this rule are rare, and can only he

considered after consulting the members of the Royal Family concerned. At official functions during the day time, morning dress is the correct dress for civilians actually taking part in the formal proceedings or appearing on the platform with their Royal Highnesses. Alternatively, a dark lounge suit and bowler hat are usually worn. CIVIC SPEECHES On all occasions when ladies and gentlemen are presented to their Excellencies and to their Royal Highnesses, it is correct for ladies to curtsey and for gentlemen to bow. At the formal civic welcome in the four main cities it is customary for the Mayor only, as Chief Magistrate, to make a speech after the reading of the address. At places other than the four main cities the Mayor or Chairman, as the case may be, would read the formal address but there should) he no speeches. NATIONAL ANTHEM His Royal Highness has expressed It wish that speech-making should he curtailed as much as possible, so that more time may be available for him to speak to individuals personally. It is laid down by regulation that ■when the National Anthem is played on the arrival of their Royal Highnesses at a function it should be confined to the first part only, namely, the first six bars. When played to mark the conclusion of a function or ceremony it should be played in full.' JAMAICANS PREPARING KINGSTON (Jamaica), Jan. IS. Elaborate arrangements are completed for the reception of the Duke and Duchess of York’s arrival on Thursdav. An address in public,' levees, dinners,' and tennis games are planned.