ROYAL VISIT TO TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1926, Page 9

ROYAL VISIT TO TARANAKI

STAY CONSIDERED TOO SHORT. PROTEST FROM EDUCATION BOARD “An aggregate stay of 66 minutes at the Taranaki centres is ridiculous,” said Mr. A. Lees when referring at yester- . day’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board, to the forthcoming visit of the Duke and Duchess of York. It was decided to enter a strong protest at the arrangements made. The Royal party would spend one hour in New Plymouth, and three minutes each in Stratford and Hawera, explained Mr. Lees, and as only children on the railway line would receive the benefit of travelling concessions it meant that pounds would have to be spent on motor-cars to bring the children in to sec the Duke and Duchess for three minutes at a crowded station. It was absurd, and was not the way to instil patriotism. The time allowed was. entirely inadequate. Mr. H. Dempsey: I agree with everything Mr. Lees has said. The chairman (Mr. S. G. Smith): And so do I. It was decided unanimously that the board deplored the fact that the itinerary of Their Royal Highnesses for sueh an exceedingly short stay in the Taranaki district. The aggregate stay in the centres would not exceed 66 minutes, and the board considered that so short a period entirely defeated the Imperial and patriotic purposes of the visit, and would prove most disappointing to the people, more especially to the children, who would probably gain the impression that Royalty was guilty of a lack of consideration, for which the authorities were themselves responsible, it was hoped that the authorities would recognise that the importance of the visit demanded a more adequate expression. It was agreed that a sub-committee comprising the chairman and Messrs Lees and Eaves, and the Rev J. L. A. Kayll, should be appointed to arrange conferences of chairmen of school committees and secondary school boards at New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera to make the necessary arrangements for the Royal visit.