THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S TOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 19, 23 January 1935, Page 6

THE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’S TOUR

|\JOW that the Duke of Gloucester has completed his official tour of New Zealand, a little plain speaking on the conduct of the tour will not be out of place. The conduct of the tour was a shining example of how such should not be planned. If the Duke of Gloucester came to see New Zealand, then he had a very unfortunate experience; the Tourist Department would certainly have arranged matters much better for any ordinary tripper. If on the other hand the Duke came so that the people of New Zealand should see him, then the conduct of the tour was equally unsatisfactory. The visit to Wanganui was inadequate to the size and the prestige of the city. The Duke of Gloucester came to Wanganui in an enclosed car, doubtless because of the threat of inclement weather, but despite that he was speeded through the streets at a rate which made it impossible for spectators to recognise the Royal visitor. “That’s the Duke, that was!” was hardly a possible remark for spectators in the streets through which he did pass, while the alteration of the itinerary so that the planned route was not traversed, causing disappointment to very many people. The hurried nature of the visit to Wanganui resulted in a flat and uninteresting demonstration. Had Wanganui been alone in such an experience, little need have been said, but seeing that other provincial centres fared similarly no good purpose is to be served in pretending that the visit was other than what it was, namely, a mishandled affair.