ROYAL TOUR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18890, 4 January 1927, Page 15

ROYAL TOUR.

CANBERRA CEREMONIES. ON MAGNIFICENT SCALE. ITROU OVB 0W» COEBISroKDMT.) SYDNEY, December 24. Within a fortnight, the Duke and Duchess of York will leave England on their tour of New Zealand and Australia. They will travel through New Zealand, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, and Victoria, in that order, before they pay their brief visit to Canberra to open the Federal Parliament in its new and permanent home, federated Australia's new capital. But already plans have practically been completed for the entertainment of the Koyal visitors, though the ceremonies do not take place until May 9th. Since the Canberra ceremonies are the whole raison d'etre of the Duke's visit, interest attaches to these plans. A Skeleton City. It must be understood that Canberra to-day is a skeleton city. True, its progress towards completion has been marked by activity during the past eighteen months or two years, but it still remains a city in the making. The completed buildings include the Parliament buildings, a magnificent hostel, another hostel on not quite so high*' a plane, scores of civil servants' homes, and dozens of business premises. Its population to-day is but a few thousands, but it is estimated that its population during the two days of the Duke's visit will be between 50,000 and 100,000. A Vast Influx. To cater for this largo and rapid influx of people has been the arduous duty of the Federal committee of entertainment. Before Parliament House, space has been allotted for 100,000 people to see the imposing review of the military, naval, and air forces. Twenty aeroplanes will circle above the gathering. Eight hundred military and naval forces, in addition to airmen, will be encamped and these will take part in a review before Parliament House steps, where welcoming speeches to the Duke and Duchess by the Prime Minister and others will be carried to the waiting thousands by loud speakers.

Motor-Car Transport. The New South Wales Eailways will be unable to carry more than 3000 people on May Bth and 9th. Hence most of t"he public will visit Canberra by means of motor-cars. Steps are being taken to improve the roads leading to the capital. Parking space is being provided for 30,000 motor-cars. Motorists will have numbers allotted to them corresponding to numbers in these various motor "parks," and there will thus be a minimum of inconvenience in reaching their allotted stations. A complete medical service will be established with a casualty clearing station on the lines of a military camp. Elaborate measures are being taken for sanitation. Thousands of tents will be provided, and overnight Canberra will become a canvas city, for the present hotel accommodation will be all reserved for official guests who are expoctcd to number hundreds in themselves. To this canvas city water pipes will be laid. Fireplaces for people using tents will be provided for them to cook their meals. Official Guests. Every nation with a consular representative in Australia will be represented by them. The Governor of every State and their staffs, the Premier and Leader of the Opposition in each State, and the Lord Mayor of each State capital will bo among the official guests There will be other official Fede al guests, and, in addition, a batch of invitations will be sent to each State Government for distribution. All these details have been announced by the main entertainment tee after two months' discussion and thought. There still remains much to be done.