POPULAR ROYALTY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19786, 9 March 1927, Page 10

POPULAR ROYALTY

ENTERTAINED BY GOVERNMENT

DUKE OF YORK AND COUNTRY’S INDUSTRIES

ROYAL VISITOR A KEEN OBSERVE’’

The tour of the Duke and Duchess of York continues to he one of triumphant progress. The last few days it has been Wellington's turn, and right well has the Capital City done its part. A memorable function yesterday was the Government luncheon tendered to Their Boyal Highnesses, and the Duke made a notable speech in reply to the Prime Minister’s welcome. It is very surprising that the Duke should take sn£h a keen interrest in the industries of the Dominion and the welfare of the workers. The Duke came to New Zealand as a Royal Ambassador; he will depart as an Ambassador to tell the people of Great Britain and other portions of the Empire of the wonders of this Dominion.

BRILLIANT SPEECHES

DUKE REPLIES TO WELCOME KEENLY INTERESTED IN THE DOMINION. [ Per Prest Association. J WELLINGTON, March 8. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) presided, and his Royal Highness the Duke occupied the place of honour on his right, and the Duchess that on his left. The order of seating, according to precedence, on the right and left of the Royal guests at the top of the table, was as follows: Mrs Coates, Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell, Ear) of Cavan (the Duke’s Chief of Staff), Countess of Cavan (Lading-in-Waiting to the Duchess), Captain Sullivan, Hon. Mrs Little Gilmour (Lady-in-Waiting), Hon. AV. D. Stewart (Minister of Finance and Customs), Hon. W. Nosworthy (Postmaster-General), Lady Carncross, Mrs J. G. Anderson, Sir Charles Statham (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Sir Walter Carncross (Speaker of the Legislative Council), Mrs W. Nosworthy, Lady Statham, the Hon. G. J Anderson (Minister of Labour), Sir Charles Skerrett (the< Chief Justice), Lady Rhodes, the Mayor and Mrs Norwood, Miss Steward, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes (the accompanying Royal party as representative of the Government), Hon. A. D. McLeod (Minister of Lands), and Mrs McLeod. On the other side of the top table in order of precedence w'ere Mr P. K. Hodgson (the Duke's private secretary), opposite the Prime Minister; Lady Poma re, opposite the Duke; Mrs Rolleston, opposite the Duchess; Right hon. Sir Robert Stout, Sir Maui Poniare (Minister in charge of the Cook Islands), Mrs K. S # Williams ,Lady Stout. Hon. O. J. Hawken (Minister of Agriculture), the Hon. F. J. Rolleston (Attorney-General), Mrs D. F. Bollard, Mrs Hawken, the Hon. R. A. Wright (Minister of Education), the Hon. K. S. Wiliams (Minister of Public Works). Mrs Wright, Mrs J. A. Young, the Hon. I). H. Guthrie, the Hon. R. F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs), Mrs George Forbes, Mrs Guthrie, Sir James Allen, the Hon. J. A. Young (Minister of Health), Mr Justice Reed, Miss Skerrett, Mr G. W. Forbes (Leader of the National Party), Sir Thomas Mac kenzie, Mr Justice Macgregor, and Mr Justice Alpers. In addition to the top table there were eight other tables with accommodation for 40 persons each, and six with places for 30 each. The Duke and Duchess of York were to-day entertained at luncheon by the Government at the Town Hall. The Prime. Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, proposing the toast of the Royal visitors, said, in part: “I feel it a very great honour to have the privilege of proposing for your acceptance the toast of our Royal guests, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York. (Applause). Since their arrival in Auckland a fortnight ago they have met with a spontaneous and enthusiastic welcome from both our races. Throughout their travels in the North Island our Maori people have vied with their pakeha brothers in the warmth and heartiness of greetings which have been extended to their Royal Highnesses. I feel sure that the splendid demonstration at Rotorua will long live in their memories. It was striking proof of the loyalty and attachment to the Crown which forms so marked a characteristic of the native race in New Zealand. (Applause). The Tour Half Over.

“The first half of the visit of their Royal Highnesses to the Dominion has almost been completed, and I can assure them that their welcome in the South Island will be equally cordial and hearty wherever they go. I speak for the whole of New Zealand when I say that it is a very real privilege and pleasure to have their Royal Highnesses in our midst. (Applause). We sincerely trust that their sojourn in this portion of the British Empire will be happy and interesting to them both. “In an Empire so widely spread, whose different portions are largely united by ties of sentiment and common institutions of government, the personal touch counts for a very great deal For this reason we specially welcome our Royal visitors to our shores. It is the communication of this personal touch which helps so much to strengthen the bonds of loyalty to the Crown and to unite our citizens in the spirit of mutual goodwill and understanding. “ A Dip Into History. Mr Coates recalled previous Royal visits to New Zealand. The first took place in April 1869, 58 years ago, when H.R.H. Prince Alfred. Duke of Edinburgh, landed at Wellington from JI.M.S. Galatea. “At that time the Colony, as it was termed, was yet in its infancy and was struggling, amongst other difficulties, against a still continuing Maori War. The progress and

development of New Zealand since that time has been truly remarkable, and it is only right that on an occasion like this we should pay tribute to those sturdy pioneers who did so much in laying the foundations upon which following generations have expanded and progressed. ’’ Popular Visitors. “A. period of 32 years elapsed before another Royal visit occurred. T refer, of course, to the historical visit of their present Majesties the King and Queen in 1901. (Applause). Many here to-day will recall the unbounded enthusiasm which that event created. It afforded to people an unique opportunity of establishing what I havu already described as the ‘personal touch’ with their future Sovereign and his Queen. Then came that great Ambassador of Empire, the Prince of Wales, in 1920 (great applause), whose visit is still fresh in our memories. Practical Interest In The People “Now, ladies and gentlemen, we are honoured by the presence amongst us of His Majesty’s second son, H.R.H. the Duke of York, and with him her Royal Highness. It is well known to you that our Royal guest, apart from his many other activities, takes a deep personal and practical interest in the life and wellbeing of the people of the Empire, and particularly in the industrial life of the nation. (Applause). I am quite sure you will all agree with mo when I say that her Royal Highness is well known to us all, and apart from her own personality her deep interest in the social welfare of the people of our Empire has endeared herself to our hearts. No doubt, had they consulted their own personal interests, they would have preferred to spend more of a holiday in the tourist resorts of New Zealand, but they willingly complied with the eager desire of the people that they should visit as many cities as possible. Fondness For The Children. “One of the most pleasing features of the Royal visit has been the kindly interest taken by their Royal Highnesses in the children, who have everywhere gathered so enthusiastically to greet them. “Coming so soon as it does after the recent Imperial Conference in London towards the end of last year, this visit of their Royal Highnesses gives me the opportunity of making reference to that important gathering of representatives of the self-governing countries of the Empire and of India. Here were discussed many questions of the highest constitutional importance from the Imperial point of view and definite conclusions were arrived at. Not ..that any attempt was made to provide a written constitution for this Great Empire, with its diversity of races and climatic conditions. This would have been unwise if not impossible. But it was explicitly laid down that the self-governing portions of the British Empire are. not dependent upon any system of control, but rather upon the common ideals and beliefs, upon the exercise of mutual goodwill, and upon the exercise of the widest freedom, rather than legal restrictions and force. (Applause). After again welcoming the Duke and Duchess, Mr Coates gave the toast, and it was several minutes before his Royal Highness could respond, so heartily sustained was the fervour with which the Duke was received on rising to speak. The Duke’s Happy Reply. The text of the Duke’s reply was as follows: “On behalf of the Duchess and myself I thank you sincerely for the kind words in which you have proposed the toast of our health. I thank you all for the manner in which it has been received. I thank you especially, Mr Coates, for the warm-hearted references to previous visits by members of the Royal family. In an Empire like ours, whose various portions are so widely scattered, it is impossible to exaggerate the value of personal touch, (applause). Before I proceed with the speech I desire to repeat here in Wellington the message from the King which I gave on the day of our first landing at Auckland. “The King wishes me to assure the people of the proud recollections he and the Queen preserve of their visit to New Zealand 26 years ago, as the Duke and Duchoss of Cornwall and York. They will never forget the happy days and the loyal affectionate welcomes accorded them in all parts of Now Zealand which they visited. (Applause). Tribute to the Maoris. “When I spoke at Auckland I expressed a desire to see something of both the industries and scenery of the Dominion, and both these desires have [■been fulfilled within the limited sphere of time at our disposal. To-day I should like to speak to you about our experiences and impressions of New Zealand, I bo far as we have at present seen the .country. At the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Tokaanu, and other parts, we have seen some of the most beautiful scenery and some of the finest sporting country in the world. The Duchess and I have had the opportunity of testing —not entirely, I am glad to say, without success—both deep sea and trout

fishing, of which we heard so much before we came here. We shall not fail when wo go hpmo to tell our friends of the wonderful opportunities there arc for sport in this beautiful country. “Wo have seen, too, with very deep interest something of the life and customs of the Maoris, and shall never forgot the wonderful reception that was prepared for us at Rotorua. The perfect. rhythm of the dancers, the harmony of the voices, colour and dresses, and enthusiastic crowds of Maoris in the background, all combined to make a picture which left a lasting impression on those who witnessed it. Preparations for this gathering must have entailed a very large amount of work and organisation, and reflects the greatest credit on all concerned. We congratulate both races in New Zealand on the friendly relations existing between them, and we are confident that those relations will always be continued under the wise administration of the Dominion Government Interested in Workers’ Welfare. “I have had, too, what I specially desired, the opportunities of seeing something of the primary industries of this country, specially dairying and butter making, and I hope I may be able to see more. I hope after this luncheon to go to see the woollen mills in Petone. As you have said, Mr Coates, I am keenly interested in all that concerns industry and industrial conditions. Wherever I travel it is my desire to see for myself how the workers live and labour, and especially the arrangements made for their welfare. Improvement of housing and living conditions generally is a subject in which all parts of the Empire can learn from one another (Applause). *■ The Country’s Resources. “We have been deeply impressed by the wonderful resources of the country, its fertile soil, its water power, and the very thorough manner in which those resources are being developed. The products of New Zealand have acquired a great name in the markets of the world, and I am confident that you will do all in your power to see that the reputation of New Zealand goods is maintained, and even, if possible, increased. (Applause).) Wherever we have gone we have been struck by the sturdy appearance and happy faces of the children. The gatherings of children in every city and town we have visited will remain one of the happiest memories of the tour. If we can judge by the appearance of these future citizens of New Zealand, I think we can safely say that the prosperity of the Dominion is assured. T will give you an old proverb in a new form: “Take care of itself.’’ (Loud and prolonged applause). Mother Country Not Finished. “I have spoken of your advantages. No doubt you have your difficulties, but if you meet them in the same courageous spirit as the early pioneers, there can be no doubt that you will successfully surmount them. We, too, in the Old Country have our difficulties, very great and serious difficulties, during the years since the war, but I should like here to say that the Mother Country is not finished yet (prolonged applause), and that we are determined to win through in these difficulties in the years , of peace, just as we did in the dark years of war. I feel certain that the turn of the tide has come, and that a new period of prosperity is beginning ' for the Old Country (applause), in ; which I trust New Zealand and all parts of the Empire will share, for we can, none of us, live by ourselves, and it is only by increased trade between all parts of the Empire, only by our all [ helping and assisting one another, that we can solve the problems of unemployment and other problems which are at present weighing upon us. Having a Wonderful Time. “Once again, on behalf of the Duchess and myself, I desire to you for the welcome to us hero, and the overwhelming kindness we everywhere received. We arc deeply grateful to the New Zealand Government and to you, Mr Coates, personally, for the arrangements you made for our comfort and enjoyment. We will never forget the wonderful time we have had in the Dominion, and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. ” (Loud applause).

CHILDREN’S DAY TEN THOUSAND HAPPY YOUNGSTERS HAVE ROYALTY TO THEMSELVES. [ Per Press Association. 1 WILLINGTON, March 8. Despite the absence of sunshine and the possibility of rain this morning a large number of people attended the first function of the Royalties at, th? Parliamentary grounds. To the general gratification the Duke and Duchess arrived in an open car and for half an hour the children of the primary and secondary schools, the technical schools and colleges had the visitors to themselves. The band of the Renown played selections. The dense crowd all around them of 10.000 children with .10,000 voices and 10.000 flags gave a welcome unequalled in spontaneity during 'the tour. The National Anthem was sung. Then little Shicla Coates presented a bouquet to the Duchess, amid a frantic waving of flags. The Duke and Duchess walked round the ranks of the schools. Then came the turn of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Tie Scouts performed a haka. “Land of Hope and Glory ’’ was sung, and the proceedings ended.

The car was thronged by the crowd as it made its way along Lambton Quay. It was not till the Midland Hotel was reached that the crowd thinned, enabling the procession to make any pace. The Mayor of Christchurch last night was sent the. following telegram by Sir R. Heaton Rhodes: “I regret to inform you that Their Royal Highnesses will not be able to visit Amberley. They are finding their tour very fatiguing. They will be glad for the Amberley children to be brought to Christchurch by train. ’ ’