THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16431, 27 January 1919, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

* PRINCE OF WALES'S VISIT. A HAPPY PERSONALITY. (Prom the N.Z. Official War Correspondent.) LONDON, January 19. There is no more loyal part of the Empire than New Zealand, and ovory man in the Division is proud of the fact. Therefore it was bofitting that the Prince, who is to bo our future King, should pay our fighting force the compliment of a visit while it is still in the fiold and' before it returns to its own land. Historically it is an interesting fact that 'the heir to tho throne has visited us (Turing our occupation of enemy territory. Ho comes to us as a soldier, with the rank of Major, to which he was recently promoted, but he is still wearing his captain's badges, for, as ho himself phrases it, ho had not yofc "put up his crown." From the German frontier he flew across tho Rhine, his pilot winding up tho flight with some "stunting" over the great waterway. He came on to tho New Zealand Division in an open car, and attended only by the young army captain who usually accompanies him on these journeymgs. The unostentatious manner in which he travels rather appeals to the army as a whole, and ospecially to the troops from overseas. In his recent visits to enemy territory he has risked danger of Bolshevists without a guard or an escort — another fact that appeals to the imagination and sporting spirit of our men. The •Germans soon became aware that he was in their midst, but there were not many who recognised him as he walked throilgh the streets of Cologne, or entered the shops there to make some ordinary purchases. "With his youthful appearance and two rows of ribands he was taken, as he often is in French towns, for an aviator. During his stay with us the Prince has spared, neither time nor trouble to see as many of the officers and men of the Division as possible. He has mixed as freely with thom as if he were one of themselves, and by his bright manner, his sense of humour, his happy knack of telling a story, and, above all, by the fact that he is known for a keen and plucky though modest soldier, who, if he -were permitted would havogonoovor the top with his men, he has undoubtedly endeared himself to the oversea troops. Yesterday tho Prince had a great day with the "diggers," mixing and chatting froely with them in the villages where they are billeted, at a shooting match, where he himself shot, and at a football match. He qui to succeeded in breaking through tho traditional reserve of theiNew Zealand "diggers" who finding him eo approachable, freely questioned him about his recent experiences and his future plans. They -were especially interested in his projected i visit to New Zealand, where he will be assured of a hearty welcome. * This will be all_ the more enthusiastic because of | his visits to our soldiers during the war. HONOURS AWARDED. (Australian smd N.2L Cable Association.) (Renter'a Telegram*.) (Received January 2Gth. 5.5 p.ro ) LONDON January 23. Eighteen New Zealanders have been awarded Distinguished Conduct Mwlals. Sixty-four New Zealanders have been awarded meritorious service medals.