NORTHERN IRELAND

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18795, 17 November 1932, Page 7

NORTHERN IRELAND

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT PRINCE TO PERFORM CEREMONY. ENTHUSIASM IN BELFAST. United Press Assn.—Elee. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Nov. 15. The Prince of Wales left Euston tonight to open Ulster's new Parliament buildings at Belfast on behalf of the King. The Belfast correspondent of the Daily Mail says the visit of Ills Royal Highness is stirring the hearts of the people of Northern Ireland like & patriotic saorament because Ulster, hemmed in by hostile territory, is an “outpost of the Empire" even in a truer sense than the most remote territories. Ulster, moreover, is subject to continual challenge on its right to remain British, Nevertheless the enthusiastic welcome to be accorded to the Prince of Wales will demolish the whispering campaigns which have followed various modifications of the Royal programme. Even the desire of the Prince, owing to unemployment, that expense on municipal decorations should be avoided has been represented by anti-British influences as an insult to Ulster. Other despatches from Belfast state that BeTfast is gay with flags in readiness for the Prince’s visit to-morrow. Thousands of people have arrived from all parts of Ulster and are crowding the streets of the city. Nearly everyone is wearing the Prince of Wales’ feathers. The streets have been heavily barricaded in order to marshal the dense crowds on the route of the procession. Every precaution has been taken to ‘ensure that no “incident’’ shall mar His Royal Highness’ visit. Four officers from a special branch of Scotland Yard are already in Belfast and six more travelled with the Prince when he left London to-night. These men will be near him throughout his visit. A Union Jack which was flying from the publio baths In Falls Road was torn down last night. The police removed Republican posters protesting against the visit of the Prince. They also detained two women.

LATER. THE PRINCE IN BELFAST. WARMLY WELCOMED. NEW PARLIAMENT OPENED. ENTHUSIASTIC CROWDS. (Official Wireless.) (Received Nov. 17, 12.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 16. Immense crowds assembled at Belfast to-day from all parts of Ulster to greet the Prince of Wales, who received a tumultuous welcome when he landed on the Quayside from the motor vessel Ulster Queen. The Duke of Abercorn, the Governor of Northern Ireland, and Lord Craigavon, the Premier, boarded the vessel to greet him. As the Prince of Wales landed his standard was broken on the quay, and the cruisers Dorsetshire and Exeter flred a Royal salute. A procession was formed and left for the new Parliament Buildings. Along the four-mile route through Belfast from the Quayside to Stormont, great crowds lined the gailydecorated streets and gave a wildlyenthusiastic greeting to the Prince as he drove to perform the opening ceremony of the new Parliament. Bain fell heavily during the procession, but the Prince Insisted on driving In an open car. Awaiting the Prince in the great hall at Stormont were the Northern Ireland Cabinet and other distinguished Irishmen. The opening ceremony was performed by tbe Prince on behalf of the King, from whom he delivered a message of greeting. The Prince said It was his father’s earnest prayer that they should meet the difficulties confronting the whole world,, as well as their own special problems, with that courage, tenacity, loyalty and devotion which had made Northern Irishmen famous in the annals of the Empire. The Prince afterwards proceeded through cheering crowds to the City Ilall, where an address of welcome was delivered.

His Royal Hihgness’ visit to Ulster will extend over three days, and his activities will include a lour of the representative industries.

LINE RIPPED UP. EXCURSIONISTS WARNED. Untied Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright (Received Nov. 17, 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 16. A section of the Great Northern Railway near Virginia ('County Cavan) was ripped up last night to prevent Free Stale excursionists visiting Belfast to welcome the Prince. Bed Hags and notices gave warning that the line bad been ripped up and mined. Tiie placards read: ‘'lreland belongs to the Irish, north and soutii.” The telegraph also was cut.