PRIME MINISTERS’ DINNER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3512, 5 July 1921, Page 15

PRIME MINISTERS’ DINNER.

THE PRINCE’S POPULARITY. LONDON, July 1. A most briliant assemblage attended the Prime Alinisters’ dinner at the Royal Colonial Institute, at which the Duke of Connaught presided. The Prince of Wales had a tremendous reception, and was vociferously “ Jolly Good Followed.” He proposed the toast of “A LTnited Empire,” and made most cordial references to the wonderful months he spent in his tours of the dominions. He especially appealed for support for the Empire Exhibition in 1923, including a great sports programme. In expressing his good wishes for the success of the Imperial Conference, he

j stressed the enormous distances travelled by Alessrs Hughes and Massey, exemplifying the need of improved inter-Empire communication. He hoped that Air Hughes would fly to the next conference. Air Hughes, in replying, said it was an astonishing fact that, in an Empire which was full of contradiction and inconsistencies, burning with the fiercest democracy, to which the trappings and ceremonies of Royalty were repugnant, there was found an expression of loyalty to the binding tie of the Crown in ihe person of the King's son, who was everywhere hailed as a sportsman and a jolly good fellow. On the question of flying to the conference, he admitted being a disciple of speed in everything; but lie recalled his attempt to fly from Paris to London. On that occasion he came down within an hour and finished only 15 miles from the starting plage, and ordered a wheelIftrrow as the speediest means of transport. Nevertheless, he agreed with the Prince that there was an urgent need to spread up communications.