DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18581, 15 December 1934, Page 15

DUKE OF GLOUCESTER

WELLINGTON WELCOME REPLIES TO ADDRESSES A TOUCHING INCIDENT (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. There was a touching incident after Ilis Royal Highness had placed a wreath in the shrine of the War Memorial. After standing impressively on the steps while the “Last Post” was played the Duke of Gloucester stepped clown and shook hands with a bedridden ex-service-man in a wheel chair.

At the reception at Parliament House His Royal Highness acknowledged in suitable terms the addresses which had been presented to him. Replying t.o the Governor-General’s and Prime Minister's addresses, he said : “I am sincerely grateful for the cordial welcome which you offer to rnc on behall of the Government, Legislature and people of New Zealand and of the Cook Islands. 1 shall not fail to tell the King and Queen of the feelings of loyalty and devotion wit'll which %sy continue to he regarded by their New Zealand people. They received personal expression of these sentiments during their visit to New Zealand over 30 years ago and the assurance was renewed when my elder brothers travelled in turn through the Dominion in more recent years. They recall with much pleasure the enthusiasm of*their reception and charm and variety of the scenery through which they passed, and I look forward eagerly to meeting people in all parts of the Dominion, to paying my personal tribute of gratitude to the ex-serviccmen, and to greeting the children In their own districts. I am glad to know that New Zealand is- beginning to recover effects of the recent depression, and I sincerely hope that normal conditions will shortly return and bring with them happiness and prosperity to the people of tins country. ’ In reply to. the address of welcome from the Mayor of Wellington, His Royal Highness said: “I receive with gratitude your assurances given on behalf of the people of the City of Wellington and the surrounding districts of their loyalty to the King, my father, who has pleasant memories of his visit with my inothe.r to New Zealand and of the warmth of their reception here. 1 welcome the declaration of your attachment to the Mother Country. Upon the spirit of unity, and of co-op,ejrstion among! its peoples! the Empire depends for its security mid for its power to fulfil its mission of peace in the world. Distance need not lessen the feelings.of friendship and sympathy between kinsmen, nor their power of comradeship in times of trouble. It gives me gieut pleasure to visit this city with its charming situation upon the Hills on the shore of Port Nicholson, i thank you for the very cordial welcome with which you have received me upon my arrival in New Zealand.”

Acknowledging the addresses from the Harbor Board, Cook Island and various organisations, His Royal Highness expressed appreciation of the evidences of loyalty and affection displayed, and said the King confidently relied on the continuation of New Zealand’s co-operation in the maintenance of peace throughout the world. Port Nicholson, he said, provided a vital link of the Empire, a haven for shipping, and a hospitable resting-place'for seamen of every country. “I am most grateful for the welcome you offer me, my staff, and my shipmates on H.M.S. Australia,” he concluded. H.M.A.S. Australia experienced a heavy swell on the trip from Brisbane and rolled heavily. The Duke proved an excellent traveller however, and it is stated that although lie nearly fell several times owing to the rolling, he was frequently about the decks.