SOME PRESS OPINIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14348, 27 April 1920, Page 6

SOME PRESS OPINIONS

A CHORUS OF PRAISE. Here are some Press comments uptH the speech recently delivered by the Prince of Wales at the Mansion House, • London:— Priceless Gifts. The Times: "The Prince of Wales revealed the secret of his recent triumphs in Canada and the United States. The alchemy of deep feeling translated what might have been a mere formal utterance into an expression o: Hue emotion. This shone in the speech again and again. We doubt, as we have said often since the Armistice, whether the principle of Dominion equality with Great Britain-is yet thoroughly understood here. The Prince warned Great Britain against failure to understand ih No more simple yet complete definition of the tie which effectually unites the Empire (of national patriotism, not of mere loyalty) has been uttered in public, and it will remain as the most signal proof of the Prince’s gift for putting into words what he has learnt during his tour. Our only fear is that his desire to devote himself wholly to his duties of his present position may overtax his strength. Sensitive sympathy, generous emotion—the appeal of these is irresistible, but they take their toll. They endow the Prince with gifts priceless to him, to this country, and to the Empire—gifts which should not be drawn upon except for the highest national tasks.” New Ideal of Emnire. The Daily Telegraph: "Deep down in the hearts of the five nations there is a freshly-awakened pride that in these days of upheaval and change in an exhausted world the British Commonwealth possesses a Royal Family whose position is surely based on the admiration, respect, and loyalty which it inspires. The Prince spoke as one who has come face to face with fellowcitizens, to report himself, after completing a mission of importance to the future of that peculiar civilisation which we have planted throughout the world. Simply, and with characteristic modesty and sincerity, courage and vigour, his Royal Highness explained whit lessons he had brought home. A new volume in the history of the British peoples is about’to be written, and there was none better fitted to pen what we may describe as a preface than the Heir-Apparent, fresh from his travels on the American Continent, and on the. eve of setting forth to visit thj Dominions of the Pacific. By his candid, statesmanlike, and far-seeing speech, the Prince set up the new ideal of Empire in the sight of all men, and reminded us in words that will not soon be forgotten, that ‘the world is feeling rather lost at the present time, and it is up to us. the British nation, and to all the nations of the Empire, to show the way.’ He has the confidence of youth that the British peoples will not fail and his faith will find an echo in the hearts of men and women of maturer years, here and overseas, who will believe in the mission of our race.” The Star of England.

The Morning Post: "In spite of all her troubles, the star of England rides high in the firmament, and it is to that beacon that the young Prince points us to-day, appealing to all to work together to the one end. There is none save a scion of the Royal House who could so profoundly impress upon the British people, here and throughout the world, the course they must follow. There is none who has done more than his Majesty the King and the Royal Family to lead in the right way. Before his rank and station the Prince set his claim to comradeship with every ex-service man, ami for that reason alone he has a following unmatched in the world. But he also exercises the influences of native ability. Inheriting his father's and his grandfather’s intuitive knowledge of the right thing to say, the Prince hardly glances at his notes, and uses plain words with an admirable diction and delivery. We hope that the Prince will presently be enabled to visit Ireland, where his personality will achieve what statesmen have failed to accomplish, which >s simply a good understanding.” Our Young Man.

The Daily Mail: “His countrymen—sweeping all in a sense—wide as the British Empire—have suddenly realised that in the Prince of Wales they have : comrade and a counsellor admirably fitted to carry out the duties that are and will be laid upon him in this the most exacting and inspiring period the world has ever seen. The Prince made

a wonderful speech. His review of the facts imd impressions he had noted and received astonished a uniquely experienced audience. He appeared to be imbued with such a sound and instinctive Understanding of all things, little and big, which affect the whole Commonwealth. We shall need all these qualifies, and the Prince may depend on it that we shall call on them often and long. Our privilege and task—the Prince summed it up in three words—is to ‘show the way'; and if we are not greatly mistaken this wonderful young man is going to be uncommonly helpful in telling us how to do it."

The Daily Chronicle: “The Prince of Wales has said exactly the word which the times require: just as his father did many years ago in the same place after a similar return with his ‘Wake up. England!’ Let us hope that the new appeal may bear as much definite fruit as the old one unquestionably did." Surprises the Statesmen.

The Daily News: "The statesmanlike quality of the speech surprised even the critical audience of statesmen and ambassadors who had gathered round the luncheon tables in the Egyptian Hall.” Audience Cheered end Cheered.

Daily Express: “Mr Balfour did not take his eyes from the face of the Prince. Earl Haig seemed very proud of the young soldier who had served under him in the field. It was a splendid achievement—a speech as fine in its way as the famous 'Wake up, England!' speech by King George when, as Prince of Wales, he came back from his Empire tour. At the end the audience cheered and cheered." Proud of the Prince.

Daily Graphic: “We are all proud of the Prince. If we have a duty to ourselves and the Empire, we have also a duty to the world as a whole, and we could render other nations no better service than by showing them by our example how to overcome their own difficulties. The Prince gives the people an ideal which is the key to happiness and prosperity.” The Evening News: “In 1914 the Prince of Wales was but a boy. He has since told us that the war has made a man of him, and. it may be added, a very fine man. too."