DUKE AND DUCHESS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 3 December 1926, Page 5

DUKE AND DUCHESS.

TOUR OF DOMINIONS. A VITAL EMPIRE LINK. Pies; Association-Electric rdegraph-Copyright. LONDON, Thursday. There was a. distinguished assemblage at a dinner given by the pilgrims of Great Britain in the Hotel Victoria. Viscount Cave was chairman, and the Duke of York sat on his right and the Prince of Wales on tho left.

Bari Balfour, proposing'the Duke of York’s health, said the Duke was going on a mission which was neither administrative hor diplomatic, but was no less important to the Empire on that account. None could accomplish it so well as the members of his House in achieving personal touch, and thus uniting every part: of the Empire.

Earl Balfour referred to similar missions of the King and Prince of Wales but said he doubted if either knew the incalculable, value of his services. The Duke of fork’s-tour 'would supply a vital link, because -it would occur after the 'lmperial Conference. . i.-Ifc is said there was nothing new in the resolutions at which they had arrived, “but what had never been explicitly stated is,the moral emotional base upon which the whole fabric exists. That has now been unanimously accepted. The new thing is not that there is no control by the Mother Country of the self-governing Dominions, but that the self-governing portions of the Empire explicitly regard themselve s -as elements in a great unity which docs not depend on control but oil common ideals.

“Ir is hard to accept the belief that a great empire can exist without control. For the lirst-time we have announced to the Empire that wc arc an Empire of which the self-governing portions arc united by something greater, sublimer, and more effective.

“It is only now that the Empire begins to be what it was predestined to be. it is only now brought home to its constituents that it is their business to manage their business as they please, but that they are all parts of a greater whole. “1 am certain the Dominions will always l>e ready to offer their services to the Empire whenever the need arises. An, empire in which control no longer counts must depend upon personal intercourse, and for this reason the services which the Duke of York is about to render will 'be immensely helpful. He conies of a family to which all citizens of the iEmpire loyally turn. He and the Duchess are singularly gifted for the task they have taken upon themselves. The services they will render cainnot in the existing circumstances of the Empire be too highly over-valued. Therefore we not, only give them God speed,..because we love and esteem them oil their own account, but "because of the great service they are about to render to the Empire of which thev arc devoted children. ’ *

In replying, the Duke said he hoped that in the next six months he would justify the claim to the title “Pilgrim.” lie said. “The Pilgrims’ Society’s object is the same as that of my journey, namely, furthering goodfeeling between the different portions of the Anglo-Saxon race. The Premiers of the Dominions made their iirst public appearance in England during the first Imperial Conference at the Pilgrims’ Dinner in 1901. “I share your belief that the way to promote mutual 'understanding is by •bringing people together. The main principle in iimling a. solution of great problems, whether political or industrial, is the personal touch, and learning to understand even if you do not agree with the other man’s view-point. Lacking tliis atmosphere, suspicion is apt to arise among strangers. Personal contract must broaden the mind. That is why the Duchess and I are so keenly anticipating our Australian and New Zealand tour, and we hope, apart from official ceremonies, to see for ourselves the people 's life'and to share their success and difficulties.

“We are being given a great opportunity of partaking in the cementing of the Empire, and we intend to avail ourselves of it to the utmost. My brother the Prince of Wales has shown ■us the wav.

“1 regret that circumstances prevent including in our journey any American territory except Panama. Who is there who does not believe that genuine htsting Anglo-American friendship is essential to the peace of the world and the progress of humanity? 1 hope some'day that L shall be enabled to promote this spirit. It will be a proud day when, like my brother, 1 can say that now, indeed, 1 am a true Pilgrim.* ‘ Mr Stanley Bruce, Prime Minister of Australia., paid tribute to Earl Balfour’s' services at the Imperial Conference. He said the conference’s report was one of most valuable documents ever presented in our history. “There is no necessity to stress the unity of the Empire. It will be even greater than in years that have gone. It rests upon our shoulders to take advantage of that.” In wishing the Duke and Duchess of York God speed, Mr Bruce offered them a. warm welcome in Australia, particularly in view of the fact that they would be opening the Commonwealth Parliament at Cambcrra. Among the messages of goodwill read at; the gathering was one from Mr Coates. ' ,i