MELBOURNE CENTENARY

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 2

MELBOURNE CENTENARY

KING AND INVITATION. APPRECIATION OF LOYALTY. London, May 19. ■ Official circles appreciatively regard the Commonwealth and States’ wholehearted submission of "the proposal for members of the Royal household to visit Australia, on the occasion of the Melbourne centenary celebrations. Decisions on matters of such moment are not taken hurriedly, but unquestionably His Majesty is gratified .zith this further proof of Australia’s loyalty. He regards visits to outlying portions of the Empire as an essential part of the work to which he and his sons have devoted their lives, as are the countless visits the family, makes throughout Britain. • ' It is realised that there has never been a period in the history of the British Throne when the sovereign and his sons have so unsparingly devoted themselves to the service of the people, or displayed such outstanding energy to secure the consolidation of the Empire, which is tremendously promoted by these visits. Tlie King is not unmindful of the part played in this regard by the Royal tours of the Dominions. However, it must be understood that the social and economic conditions ruling throughout the. world at the time of the suggested visit must be considered, and, therefore, any. acceptance of the invitation for the present moment must, at the most, be informal. Through the Governor-General of the Commonwealth, Sir Isaac Isaacs, the seven Governments of Australia recently transmitted a request to London for the visit of a Royal Prince next year to coincide with the Melbourne centenary

celebrations, but a tour of all tha State® is also contemplated. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, is to make .a . statement in Parliament immediately the King’s reply is received. .. ... It is taken for granted in official circle* at Canberra that the Royal visitor will be one of the King’s son®, and that Prince George will be chosen. The question of the visit was raised by the Victorian Premier, Sir Stanley Argyle, at the recent meeting of the Loan Council in Melbourne, and. the seven Governments represented unanimously agreed that a Royal visit for the Melbourne centenary celebrations would be a mark of Royal recognition of the difficulties which Australia has fought and overcome during the depression years. The Royal progress would include a visit to every State, and to New Zealand. - • In view of the Royal Family’s insistence upon the necessity for every economy during these difficult times, it in likely that the Prince and his staff will go to Australia in a mail steamer. The expense involved in taking the Royal party bn a naval ship or on a specially chartered Royal yacht would not be entertained by the King in present cond> tions - •. '..At. a Sir Stanley said e was hopeful that a Royal visit would be arranged. It would aid the prospects of success for the celebrations and add greatly to .the importance of the occasion. No estimate bad been made of the cost.' He presumed that the' Royal visitor would be-the guest of each State in turn.