THE COMING ROYAL TOUR

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 11

THE COMING ROYAL TOUR

VITAL LINK IN THE UNITY OF THE EMPIRE DUKE OF YORK AT THE PILGRIMS’ DINNER EARL OF BALFOUR ON THE WORK OF CONFERENCE The Earl of Balfour, in proposing the Duke of York’s health at the Pilgrims’ dinner, emphasised the value of the forthcoming Royal tour in uniting every part of the Empire. He also referred to the significance of the resolutions of the Imperial Conference. The Duke of York, in his reply, said he and the Duchess were keenly anticipating their tour, in which they were being given a great opportunity of partaking in the cementing of the Empire. By Telegraph.—Press Association. —Copyright.

(Rec. December 2, 8.20 p.m.) London, December 1.

A distinguished assemblage attended the pilgrims’ dinner at the Hotel Victoria. Viscount Cave, the chairman, was thanked by the Duke of York and the Prince of Wales. The Earl of Balfour, in proposing the Duke of York’s health, said the Duke was going on a mission which was neither administrative nor diplomatic, but was no less important to the Empire on that- account. None could accomplish it so well as members of his house, achieving the personal touch, thus uniting every part of the Empire. The Earl of Balfour referred to the similar missions of the King and the Prince of Wales, but said he doubted if either knew the incalculable value of their services. The tour of the Duke and Duchess of York supplied a vital link because it occurred after the Imperial Conference. It was said that there was nothing new in the resolutions at which they had arrived, "but what has never been explicitly stated is the moral, emotional base upon which the whole fabric exists. That has now been unanimously accepted.;

EMPIRE DEPENDENT ON COMMON IDEALS.

"The new thing is not that there is Mo control by the Mother Country of the self-governing Dominions, but that the self-governing portions of the Empire explicitly regard themselves as elein a great unity, which does not depend on control, but on common ideals. It is hard to-accept the belief that the great Empire can exist without control. For the first time we have announced to the Empire that we are an Empire of which the self-gov-erning portions are united by something greater, sublimer, more effective. Tt is only now that the Empire begins to be what it was predestined to be.. It is only now brought home to its constituents that it is their business to manage their business as they please, but that they are all parts of a greater whole. lam certain the Dominions will always be ready to offer their services to the Empire whenever the need arises. '

DUKE AND DUCHESS SINGULAR. LY GIFTED FOR TASK.

"An Empire in which control no longer counts must depend upon personal intercourse, and for this reason the service which the Duke of York is about to render will be immensely helpful. He comes of a family to which all the citizens of the Emoire loyally turn. He and the Duchess are singularly gifted for the task they have taken upon themselves. The services they Will render cannot, in the existing circumstances of the Empire, be too highly over-valued. Therefore, we not only give them Godspeed because, we Jove and esteem them on their own account, but because of the great service they are

about to render to the Empire of which they are devoted children.’’ THE DUKE’S REPLY. His Roval Highness the Duke of York said he hoped that in the next six months lie would justify the claim to the title "Pilgrim.” He said: “The Pilgrims’ Society’s object is the same as that of my journey, namely, furthering good feeling between the different portions of the Anglo-Saxon race. Premiers of the Dominions made their first public appearance in England during the first Imperial Conference at the Pilgrims’ dinner in 1901.

"I share your belief, that the way to promote' mutual understanding, is by bringing the people together. The main principle in finding a solution of great problems, whether political or industrial, is the personal touch, and learning to understand, even if yon do not agree with the other man’s viewpoint. Lacking this atmosphere, suspicion is .apt to arise among strangers. Personal contact must broaden the mind. That is why the Duchess and I are so keenly anticipating our Australian and New Zealand tour, and hope, apart from official ceremonies, to see for ourselves the people’s life, and to share their successes and difficulties. ’• A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. "We are being given a great opportunity of partaking in the cementing of the Empire, and we intend to avail ourselves thereof to the utmost. My brother, the Prince of Wales, has shown us the way. “I regret that circumstances,prevent including in our journey’any American territory, except Panama Who is there who does not believe that genuine lasting Anglo-American friendship is essential to the peace of the world and the progress of humanity 1 I hope some day that I shall be enabled to promote this spirit. It will be a proud day when, like my brother, I can say that now, indeed. I am a true Pilgrim.”

MR, BRUCE’S TRIBUTE TO THE EARL OF BALFOUR.

Mr. Bruce paid a tribute to the Earl of Balfour’s services at the Imperial Conference. He said the Conference’s report was one of the most valuable documents ever presented in our history. "There was no necessity to stress the unity of the Empire. It will be even greater than in the years that have gone. It rests upon our shonlders to take advantage thereof.” Tn wishing the Duke and Duchess of Yord God-speed, Mr. Bruce offered them a warm welcome in Australia, particularly in view of the fact that they will open the Commonwealth Parliament at Canberra.

Among the messages of good-will read at the gathering was one from Mr. Coates.