ROYAL VISIT TO DOMINION

Southland Times, Issue 23737, 8 February 1939, Page 5

ROYAL VISIT TO DOMINION

Duke And Duchess Of Kent

PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR

“NEW ZEALAND IS A MAGIC WORD”

(United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright)

(Received February 7, 8.10 p.m,) LONDON, February 6.

The Duke of Kent, speaking at a dinner held by the New Zealand Society, of which he accepted membership, announced that he and the 'Duchess would visit New Zealand in 1940. The chairman (Mr W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand), led enthusiastic applause. “We shall try by our personal efforts more closely to unite the Commonwealth of Nations and shall practise what we are now preaching when we visit New Zealand,” said the Duke. T want to see the country and to see the Maoris. If possible, I shall think not only of the beauty of the scenes but all that for which it stands in your and our eyes. New Zealand is a magic word. It conjures up fascinating pictures of a country with wonderful scenery, apart from its wonderful grazing and dairy resources.”

The Secretary for the Dominions (Sir Thomas Inskip) paid a tribute to New Zealand’s enterprise. The 400 distinguished guests included Lord Bledisloe, the former GovernorGeneral.

A model Maori war canoe 9ft long adorned the central table. The occasion was the ninety-ninth anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade (Mr R. S. Hudson) announced in the House of Commons that the Government would participate officially in the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition with a special pavilion illustrating the development of transport on land, on sea, and in the air, showing how it has facilitated intraEmpire communications.

STATEMENT MADE BY MR SAVAGE WARM WELCOME. ASSURED IN DOMINION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. Referring to the announcement by cablegram of the Duke of Kent’s New Zealand visit, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) said tonight that the New Zealand Government had been officially advised of the visit, which was to be made at the end of 1940.

“We will all be delighted to meet their Royal Highnesses,” said Mr Savage. “They will be assured of a warm welcome from the Government and the people of the Dominion. It is hoped they will take the opportunity of visiting various parts of New Zealand and seeing for themselves something of the great possibilities of this country.”