WITH THE NEW ZEALAND DIVISION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 108, 31 January 1919, Page 5

WITH THE NEW ZEALAND DIVISION

THE VISIT OF THE PRINCE OF WALES '. (From the N.Z. Official War Correspondent.) London, January 19. There is no more loyal part of Hie Empire than New Zealand, and every man in the Division is proud of the fact. Therefore it was befitting that the Prince, who is to be our future King should pay our fighting force the compliment of n visit while it is still in the field and before it returns to its own land. Historically it is an interesting fact that the Heir to y.ie Throne has visited us during our occupation of enemy territory. Ho cornea 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 he himself phrases it, he had not yet "put up his crown." From the German frontier he flew across the Rhine, his pilot winding up the'fliglit with stome "stunting" over the great waterway. He came on to the New Zealand Division in an open car, and attended only by ■ the young army captain who usually accompanies him on these jourueyings. The unostentatious manner in which he travels rather appeals to, the Army as a whole, and' especially to the troops from overseas'. In his recent' visits to enemy territory he has risked danger of Bblsheviki 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 through the streets of Cologne oi' 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. Hβ has mixed as freely with them as if he were one of them'selvee, 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 lie were porniitted, would have gone over the top with his men. he has undoubtedly endeared himself' to the overseas troops. Yesterday the Prince liad a great clay with the "Diggers," mixing and chatting freely with them in the villages where they are billetted, at ,a shooting match, where he himself shot, and at a football match. He quite succeeded in breaking through the traditional reserve of tile New Zealand "Diggers," who, finding him so approachable, freely questioned him about his recent experiences and Ins future plans. They were especially interested in his projected visit to «ew Zealand, where he will Iμ assured of a hearty welcome. This will be all the more enthusiastic beeauso of his visits to our soldiers during the war.'