The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1926. AN AMBASSADOR OF EMPIRE

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1926, Page 6

The Daily News. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1926. AN AMBASSADOR OF EMPIRE

The proceedings at the luncheon tendered to the Duke and Duchess of York by the Australian and New Zealand Club were in every way worthy of the occasion. It was in that spirit of loyalty and for the purpose of promoting and strengthening the ties of unity and solidarity that the Premiers of the Commonwealth of Nations which comprise our world wide Empire assembled in conference recently in London, and there is a special fitness in that successful gathering being followed by a visit to Australia and New Zealand by members of the Royal family, thus emphasising the reality of the bond which connects the Motherland and the daughter nations by means of personal affection, by a common loyalty, the recognition of equality of status, and a justifiable pride in citizenship in an Empire which stands for ail that is most precious in the civilisation of the world. As a Royal Ambassador of Empire the Duke of York will assuredly be welcomed with as much pleasure, loyalty and enthusiasm as was his father (King George) and his brother (the Prince of Wales), while the presence of the Duchess of York will certainly evoke the most lively interest and add to the success of a tour that cannot fail to be an object lesson in spontaneous recognition of the devoted services of •the Royal Family to their people in all parts of the world. The only feeling of regret likely to be experienced by the people of New Zealand is that the visit will be of too short a duration to enable the Duke and Duchess to gain an adequate and personal knowledge of the country and its people. It seems that a tour of this kind should not be rushed, but ample time given for visiting the scenic beauties which are to be found in abundance throughout the Dominion. More important still, that time should permit of a longer stay of an hour at important centres, or of a mere stoppage at railway stations. The people of the provinces want to evince their loyal welcome by every means in their power and to ensure that the visitors shall be shown as many interesting things as possible, yet the time allowed makes such a course impossible, although there are infinitely more attractions for visitors in the provinces than in the four centres. That, however, is by the way. What matters is the heartiness and sincerity of the welcome, and of that there can be no doubt. The Federal Premier (Mr. Bruce) accurately interpreted the spirit of the people of the Southern Dominions when lie said that a welcome awaited the Royal visitors surpassing any demonstration they had yet received. “We shall welcome you,” he said, “because of your great interest in social movements, particularly your devotion to the cause of the rising generation in which the Empire’s prosperity rests.” That is the reason why the children of the Dominions will take a prominent position wherever the visitors are accorded a reception, and it is no idle boast to proclaim that the Ambassador of Empire—a scion of the Royal house at its head—cannot fail to be impressed with the outlook for the future of the Dominions when he comes into personal contact with the wellfavoured children who will greet him. If the Duke of York, as he stated at the luncheon, found something stimulating in a gathering of New Zealanders and Australians. he will experience a far greater stimulus and inspiration when he meets them in large numbers in their respective countries. There is much that will be new to the Royal visitors on their tour, much that should impress them, especially in relation to the vast resources of the Empire. It may be confidently anticipated that, in common with other visitors from the Mother Country, they will find, especially in New Zealand, a loyalty that is second to none. When presiding at the chib luncheon, Major-General the Hon. Sir Newton Moore, referred -to the present King’s visit to Australia a quarter of a century ago. Much has happened since then. ■ The Dominions have attained a

status as self-governing nations, placing them on an equality with the great nations of the world. In many directions they have given a lead in progressive development, self-reliance, social advancement and productive power, as well as in a well regulated independence, while their prowess on the fields of recreation and those of war have won due recognition. The Duke of York will have the opportunity of judging the Dominions as they are to-day, and there need be no fear of his verdict.