ITINERARY FOR ROYAL TOUR IS TOP SECRET

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26847, 11 August 1948, Page 4

ITINERARY FOR ROYAL TOUR IS TOP SECRET

p.A. AUCKLAND, Aug. 10.' “ There is great interest on all sides in England in the 1 coming royal tour of New Zealand and Australia and, in. particular, their Majesties, the King and Queen, are looking forward to renewing their acquaintance with New Zealand after 21 years,” said Mr W. J. Heenan, Undersecretary of Internal Affairs, when he arrived back at Auckland by air to-day after discussing details of the tour in London. Mr Heenan steadfastly declined to reveal any of these details which he held under his arm in a bulging black satchel, but indicated that the general itinerary in the Dominion should be announced soon.

“The itinerary is a top secret until the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser announces it,’ said Mr Heenan in reply to questions. “ That will not be too long. It cannot be too long." When it was pointed out that the Mayor of Wellington, Mr W. Appleton, had indicated that he believed the royal party would arrive at Welling; ton, Mr Heenan smiled broadly and commented ‘‘Mr Appleton can beueve what he likes.”

Mr Heenan said he had spent about a month in London, most of this time being occupied on the details of the itinerary. He had discussions with Sir Alan Lascelles. private secretary to hi? Majesty, and was twice received by the King and Queen when the

whole itinerary was gone over very fully. He had also met Princess Margaret. Their Majesties showed very keen interest in all the proposals for their itinerary and programme in the Dominion, added Mr Heenan. They had vivid recollections of their tour in 1927 when Duke and Duchess of York; and the Queen was greatly interested in the prospect of seeing those parts of the South Island she missed on that occasion when she became ill in Nelson. The itinerary, which is expected to be announced shortly, is understood to cover the movements of the royal partv about the Dominion, with dates and approximate times and means of transport. Until this is known little can be done by various towns and districts to prepare their welcome. The detailed programme of the functions their Majesties will attend will probablv not tie known until later. Mr Heenan will leave for Wellington on Thursday.