PRINCE OF WALES

Southland Times, Issue 18834, 29 May 1920, Page 5

PRINCE OF WALES

OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS AT MELBOURNE. PARLIAMENT HOUSE DINNER. THE PRINCE'S SPEECH. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.! MELBOURNE, May 28. The Prince’s levee and investiture a‘ Government House was crowded, the Prince shaking hands with 2000 people. He made a short speech, returning thanks for adureases of welcome.

Addresses from the House of Representatives and the Senate were presented at night, expressing a welcome to His RoyalHighness not only os the future Sovereign, hip as one who was held in esteem by Australian soldiers as a comrade on the field.

The Prince made his first formal speech at, the official dinner at Parliament House, which proved a brilliant function. He paid a warm tribute to Australia’s part in the war, including the women. He spoke of five fittingness that the Australian ship Anzac should have brought him to Melbourne. He was impressed by his passage through the Australian fleet, which was a splendid example of the forethought and enterprise of the Australian people, who must feel proud of their navy, realising the important part it played in the war. Refer ring to Australia's responsibilities, he said she lipri won her spurs in the war, taken her [dace in the council of nations, and become the mandatory power responsible for the wel’-beiivt and protection of a large, uncivilised population in- the late German pos i-mqions. He was proud she had undertaken this respon,vitality. The people’s welcome touched him most deeply. He would never forrret their friendly greetings and the mag nificence of the arrangements. He did not ■is a rule move about in such pomp and ceremony, and would feel uncomfortable if that was the only method in which they were going to allow him to travel about the muni rv. He already knew Australians through the war and they needed no further introduction to make them regard him as one of themselves.

The whole proceedings, including sp-e'dic: of welcome by Mr Hughes and Mr Tudor were marked by the greatest enthusiasm.

REVIEW OF THE FLEET. A SPECTACULAR FAILURE. MELBOURNE, May 2S. (Received May 29. 1.15 a.m.) The Prince, on the destroyed Franklin, nspacted the fleet. The review, from the •oint of view of the assembled crowds ■■shore, was a failure, na owing to a thick fog only the dim outlines of the vessels -. a a visible. The weather is now bitterly cold, with a "hiak white frost. The fog affected the ■ rlnae, who is troubled with a deep rough. Mounted police have been dispensed with in aom-cation with the visit, as His Royal Highness considers that people might be injured by the horses among the crowd. At the Exhibition Building this aftermen the people’s reception was held, the Prince being greeted by 14,000 people.