The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1927 THE ROYAL VISITORS

Southland Times, Issue 20111, 23 February 1927, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luceo Non Uro. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1927 THE ROYAL VISITORS

Yesterday the Duke and Duchess of York arrived in Auckland on a visit which, like those of King George and the Prince of Wales, will do much to strengthen the ties of loyalty and sentiment that bind New Zealand to the Mother Country. From this most loyal Dominion the Royal Guests will receive a welcome worthy of their gracious personalities and of the important mission they are undertaking. Auckland’s wonderful enthusiasm is symbolical of the greeting that will be accorded Their Royal Highnesses wherever they go, so that when the time comes for them to board the H.M.S. Diomede at Bluff they will realise that they have found their way into the hearts of all New Zealanders. It is only in comparatively recent years that the overseas Dominions have been officially visited by members of the Royal Family. In 1869, very shortly after the Maori wars, the Duke of Edinburgh arrived. Then just before the South African war had terminated the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (the present King and Queen) visited the Dominion on their prolonged tour of the Empire during which they covered 45,000 miles. It was this voyage in the Ophir that really began the series of Empire tours that have done so much to strengthen the bonds of the British Commonwealth of Nations. To use the words of our present King on his return from the voyage in the Ophir, the Royal visitors went as the embodiment of “that pride of race, that unity of sentiment and purpose, that feeling of common loyalty and obligation, which knit together and alone can maintain the integrity of our Empire.” In 1920 caine the memorable visit of the beloved Prince of Wales, though it seems only yesterday since thousands of cheering men, women and children greeted the illustrious visitor in this southern city. Now seven years later we have as our guests his brother the Duke of York and his charming wife. The presence of the Duchess of York, who has already so greatly endeared herself to the people of England, will help to win the affection of the thousands of children who will assemble at the various centres to greet the representatives of the King. Her sweet womanliness will appeal to all of those she meets, and the Duke of York will find his mission rendered much less difficult because he has his young wife by his side. Though Their Royal Highnesses will have a very busy four weeks in the Dominion, it is most gratifying to know that they will not depart without seeing most of the magnificent scenery of which New Zealanders are so unappreciative and of which the rest, of the world knows all too little. It must not be thought, however, that, though the visit, of the Duke and Duchess provides joyous occasions to so many centres, it is merely a tour of enjoyment. It is in a very real sense a mission undertaken at the request of the King. The Duke firmly believes that the way to promote mutual goodwill and understanding is by bringing people together and helping them to know each other. “I am one of those,” he has said, “who hold that the main principle which should be adopted in finding a solution of the great problems of to-day, be they political or industrial, is the principle of the personal touch.” It is in that spirit that he set out on his Imperial mis-

.v.on, and we need have no doubt that this popular son of King George and Queen Mary will succeed in communicating that oersonal touch which unites every part of the Empire, that common bond of loyalty to the Crown which makes the scattered peoples of the Empire such a great power for good in the world. Invercargill has almost four weeks to wait before the Duke and Duchess of York set foot in the town for two brief hours. That the citizens of Southland's capital would like to see much more of the Royal visitors need not be stated, but any regrets at the shortness of the stay should be banished before Tuesday, March 22, arrives. The co-operation of all in the town and environs is necessary so that they may fittingly do honour to the representatives of Britain’s King before they leave for the neighbouring Dominion.