"HOME, SWEET HOME."

Otago Witness, Issue 3475, 19 October 1920, Page 19

"HOME, SWEET HOME."

RETURN OF THE PRINCE OF WALES

H.M.S. Renown, with the Prince of Wales on board, arrived at Spithead on the 10th. The brothers of the Prince went on board and stayed all night. On the 11th, the Eenown steamed up Portsmouth Harbour past Nelson's Victory, which thundered a welcome from her guns. 'After shaking hands with all the officers of the Renown, the Prince and his staff landed on the carpet-covered jetty and was welcomed by the Mayor Alderman of Portsmouth, and by bands playing. London, had prepared a. rousing welcome for the Prince, the streets from "Victoria Station to Buckingham Palace being decorated and lined by people, the route being kept clear by a thousand special constables. The weather was glorious. Victoria Station was beflagged, and there was a distinguished assemblage' on the nlatform including Queen Alexandra, the King and Queen, Princess Mary, and others. T - Five minutes eajly, the train steamed up to the platform. The Prince was dressed in naval uniform, and was standing looking from the carriage window, his face flushed with boyish excitement at his homecoming. Immediately opposite the carpeted, platform were the bold white words on a red background: "Well done; welcome home.'.' The King and Queen entered the train, and a few minutes later the Prince emerged and kissed Queen Alexandra,"the band plaving "God Bless the Prince of Wales.'' The King did not conceal the pleasure he felt in the reunion. He; smiled as he chatted with Mr Lloyd George and others. The Prince, followed by his brothers, shook hands" with the personages on the platform, including Mr Fisher and Sir James All en,, before he and. the King inspected the King's Company of Grenadiers. A little later the assemblage faced the photographers, and as. the Royal carriage /drew up Mr Fisher called for cheers for the Prince. These were heartily given, the Prince smiling throughout. Preceded by scarlet outriders, the splendid procession moved off, the Prince in the first carriage, the King and Queen in the next. The cheers of the huge crowd outside marked the opening of a triumphal procession through the principal thoroughfares of London, the city's millions evidencing unfeigned delight as the procession traversed miles of streets en route to Buckingham * Palace. Cheers sounded along the whole .route, punctuated by coo-ees. The Prince of Wales, replying to the mayoral address at Plymouth, said that, although British institutions were not in the same state of development in all the British lands he visited, there was everywhere,, without exception, the same spirit. He had returned deeply touched and impressed by the unity and strength of the sentiment binding all parts of his Majesty's dominions to the Crown, making the future of the British Empire secure. The Prince of Wales has fixed October 19 for the date of the luncheon at Australia House. There was a family dinner at Buckingham Palace in honour of the Prince of Wales last night.

MESSAGE PROM THE KING. WELLINGTON, October 12. The following' is a copy of a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the Governor-General of New Zealand, dated October 11, 1920: "His Majesty the King has addressed to me the following letter: ■On" the return home of the Prince of Wales I would ask you to express to my <4? representatives in, and to the people of, those dominions and colonies which he has visited, my heartfelt appreciation of the universal affection and loyal enthusiasm evinced towards him throughout his travels. These warm-hearted, spontaneous manifestations of regard for our eldest son have .deeply touched the Queen and me. We have; followed with pride and admiration" the triumphant success of his mission, and all the more so when we recognise that these happy results are chiefly due to his own personality, to the buoyant and genial spirit in which he has played his part, to his sense of duty, and to the unstinting manner in which he has given of his best. _ This and his previous tour have given him special opportunities to gain knowledge of our overseas dominions and colonies, and to become personally with their peoples. May such mutual intercourse create fresh ties of confidence and devotion between the Throne and the generations present and future of these great lands, and thus promote the unity, strength, and prosperity of the Empire. To my son the wide and happy experience, he has earned ■will ever be a priceless possession. ■ (Signed) George R. 1." •The following is a copy of a cablegram

from the Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated October 12, 1920:

On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I beg to thank your Majesty for your. gracious message, and to express oiu* loyal and hearty congratulations upon the successful termination of the historio and epoch-making tour of his Royal Highness the Prince or Wales. One of the most striking results will be to strengthen the ties of loyalty lo the Throne and unite more closely together 'than ever the great Empire to which we are so proud to belong. (Signed) Jellicoe."