THE ROYAL TOUR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19946, 13 November 1926, Page 14

THE ROYAL TOUR.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMME MINIMUM OF FUNCTIONS. (Special to Dailv Times.) WELLINGTON, November 12. The details of the tour through New Zealand of the Duke and Duchess of York have now been definitely settled, and the Minister of Internal Affairs announces that no proposals for a variation of the programme can be entertained. “As the visit is confined to 29 days, ’ states Mr Bollard, “there has been considerable difficulty in arranging the course of travel so as to comply with the wishes of their Royal Highnesses to sec as many of the people of New Zealand as possible in the short time, and yet observe his Majesty’s express wish that the programme should not be of too arduous a character. It is hoped that the public generally throughout New Zealand will join in the desire of the Government that their Royal Highnesses should be treated in all respects as the guests of the Dominion, and that no undue calls should be made upon them to perform official functions. Requests have already been received from many parts of New Zealand that their Royal Highnesses should lay foundation stones, unveil memorials, and open buildings, but, owing to the limited period of the visit, such functions cannot he undertaken, except in possibly one or two special cases in the main cities. “His Royal Highness has expressed a wish that speeches and addresses be reduced to a minimum, as he prefers meeting the people individually to public speaking. Local bodies and organisations desirous of presenting addresses of welcome are notified that the use of the abbreviated style, ‘Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York, will be entirely in order. It will, of course, he understood that all addresses must be submitted to the GovernorGeneral for approval before permission will be given to present an address. “The Government has authorised the free transportation of school children in Standards 111. and upwards to the centres to be visited by their Royal Highnesses, but this is only to apply where the children can leave and return to their homes on the same day. It is intended that at each point of the visit the arrangements for reception and entertainment should be made by the local authorities and residents, subject to such arrangements being submitted to, and having the approval of, the Government. It is desired that evening engagements, especially at places other than the four centres, should be avoided as much as possible. The Government will subsidise and will arrange for the validation of all reasonable expenditure by local bodies. “A committee comprising the Parliamentary representatives of the Maoris and other Maoris has been set up to arrange details of the Maori reception to be accorded at Rotorua.”