DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18403, 9 June 1925, Page 9

DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE.

' SUGGESTED VISIT TO N.Z. ABANDONED OWING TO ILLNESS. (BPBCUL TO "THB PBXSS.") WELLINGTON, June 8. New Zealanders know well that Mr Massey, while Prinvi Minister of New Zealand, lost no opportunity of impressing upon English statesmen the benefits likely to accrue from visits made by them to the Dominions overseas. In this connexion a pathetic interest attaches to a letter to Mr Massey which arrived by to-day's English mail. Some time ago Mr Massey had taken the opportunity of inviting the Duke.of Devonshire, a former Governor-General of Canada, who filled the position of Secretary of State for the Colonies in the first Baldwin Ministry and took a very active part in the last Imperial Conference, to visit New Zealand. As recently as March last Mr Massey, on behalf of the Government and tho people sent a very cordial invitation, to ,tho Duke and Duchess to como out to the Dominion as the guests of the Government. From the Marquis of Hartington, the Duke's eldest son, a letter was received to-day stating bow warmly his father appreciated the kind invitation, but expressing his fear that the Duke's illness would prevent his father from making the projected trip to the Dominion.