PRINCE OF WALES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 78, 27 December 1919, Page 7

PRINCE OF WALES

SPEECH AT MANSION HOUSE LUNCHEON LOYALTY OF THE DOMINIONS (13y Telegijiph-Prcss Association-Copyright (Rcc. December 21, 7.30 p.m.) London, December 18. At the conclusion of the Guildhall function, when the Prince ot' Wales was | presented with the freedom of tho city, j the Prince, while proceeding to the Mansion House to Iho luncheon given by the Lord .Mayor, was tho recipient of further ovations from tho citizens in the streets. Mr. Lhivd George, in proposing the health of iho Prince, emphasised that tho throne- united tho varying languages, institutions, and peoples of tho Empire, which had a' multitude of races owing common loyally to the Throne. This loyalty had been displayed conspicuously at a time of peril. lie affirmed that the Prince's visit to Canada and other Dominoins would act like a tonic, and have a powerful and invigorating effect. The Ph'iiJc of Wales, in responding, described .his lour, and said that nothing annealed lo him more than the number of ex-service men who greeted him everywhere. He could not speak too strongly of Hie groat debt the Empire owed to its soldiers ( and He wanted all ex-service men, in every part of . the Empire, to remember him as an old comraJe-iri-nnns, and lo regard him in tho future as a comrade in spiritHe had -returned with a much clearer, idea of what was . meant by tho British Empire, or what might move appropriately be called tho British Commonwealth, Britishers had long felt the Grecian and Roman idea of Empire. Behind the Empire there was now something far grander implied in tho partnership of free nations living under tho same system of laws, pursuing the same democratic aims, and actuated by tho same human ideals, and tho younger nations, such »a Canada,' Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India, were now universally recognised as nations fact that they woro signatories to the peaoo treaties which they had fought so magnificently to secure. ,/The Prince paid a tribute to the part India had played in tho war, and said that he looked forward to visiting that wonderful country. Tho position of tho self-govern-ing Dominions was different. They were inhabited by highly'advanced democracies, who had mado new civilisations out of wilderness. Continuing tho Prince said: "Think what they havo achieved in four generations. Think of their nolje sacrifices in the war. Thoro is no limiting the bounds to which their progress and development may somo day attain." It was no exaggeration to ray that tho united action of l.ho British Empire in the war was ono of tho features least expected by tho'onomy, and . it wag most effective in securing a victorious peace. Tho people of tho Old Country must realise that the patriotism of tho 'Dominions was a national patriotism, not mere loyally to Britain. It was loyalty to their own British institutions and loyalty to the world-wide British system of life and, government, and, nbove all, loyalty to the British Empire, of which Britain, like tho Dominions, was only ono part. Ho had felt the inspiration of this great idea throughouthis tour, but lie had also learned that the loyalty of tho Dominions in a very special sensi) was loyalty to the Crown, and ,the Crown represented tho unity or the Empire. Tho King was constitutionally Sovereign of tho Empire, and occupied exactly tho same place in Canada and the rest, of the British Empire as he did in Britain. His house, although originally founded in Britain,/ belonged equally to all other nations of the Commonwealth. Tho Prinao of Wales said he looked fonvArd keenly to visiting in tho near future other Donr'nions, where ho knew that ho would feel equally at bomr;. After expressing, warm appreciation of the welcome given him in the United States, ho concluded: "The war has. put an end to tho idea that Britain is played out. The Dcmnions were tho first to recognise, that Britain took the first strain of tho war, bore the heaviest 'burdens, and made tlie greatest sacrifices.' Tho world still looks anxiously to Britain for an example in confidenco and steadiness. Brtain's duty was now to show the world that 6he could work in adjusting tho social, economic, and industrial problem with "oneral fairness and sympathy. We •should strive wholeheartedly towards tho goal of happier conditions of life, ensuring that c-vcry man and woman in tho country enjoy' the just proceeds of their labours, and that every child born into the country has a fair snorting chance." -Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eenter. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COMING TOUR. London, December 23. Although the itinerary for the tour of the Prince of Wales Ims not yet been arranged, the correspondent of the Australian Press Association learns that ho will proceed direct to Australia, and, then to New Zealand, and will possibly visit South Africa cn his way home. It is officially announced that he will visit India next: winter.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo A?sn It is officially stated, that the Princess will not accompany the Prince on his Australasian Princo hopes to spend three moimis in Australia and New Zealand.—United Service.