PRINCE RATIONS PUBLIC DINNERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18008, 19 November 1926, Page 9

PRINCE RATIONS PUBLIC DINNERS.

TOO MANY INVITATIONS; ACCEPTS ONLY THOSE OF NATIONAL CHARACTER.

(Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON. September 28.

The Prince of Wales has reluctantly decided that, owing to the increasing number of public dinners to which he is invited, he must decline to attend those which are not of a national character or with. which he is not directly connected. This decision was embodied in a letter received by Captain John Stevenson, secretary of the Society of Auctioneers. It was sent from St James’s Palace on Friday, and read as follows : The invitation contained in y.our letter of September 16 has been submitted to the Prince of Wales, who desires me to ask you to convey to the Incorporated Society of Auctioneers and Landed Property Agents his sincere appreciation of it. He regrets, however, that, though your society has been so kind as to extend similar invitations to him in the past, it will not be possible for him to attend the anniversary dinner.

Of recent years Flis Royal Highness has found it increasingly difficult to attend even a small proportion of the many public dinners to which he is invited. These dinners, from the Prince’s point of A'iew, at any rate, fall roughly into three categories: Those which have a national or Imperial character: those organised by the many bodies with which he has a direct personal connection; and those held by independent societies, such as your own, which exist for the promotion of one particular science, art or trade. The number of annual dinners in the first two categories at which the Prince’s presence is, practically speaking, indispensable has increased to such an extent that it is now almost impossible for him to attend those which belong to the third. In that category too, it would obvibe very difficult for him to adopt a selective principle; all such societies have, from his point of A’iew, an equal claim on him. He has, therefore, recently decided that, for the present, he must decline such invitations unless there are very special reasons against doing so. Knowing as he does the value and importance of the work done by these societies, he has taken this decision with reluctance. Fie feels, however, that the reasons for his doing so will be understood, and that his general sympathy with their aims and objects can, perhaps, be comprchensi\*ely shown in other ways.