THE ROYAL VISITORS ENTERTAINED.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 December 1901, Page 4

THE ROYAL VISITORS ENTERTAINED.

Speech by the Prince of Wales.

[per PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPT RIGHT.]

London, Dec 6,

The Prince and Princess of Wales were entertained by the City of London Corporation to-day in recognition of the success of their colonial tour.

They received a great ovation as they drove through Piccadilly and Holborne. The city was gaily decorated the flags of the Australian Commonwealth being ex-, tensively displayed. The Agents-General of lihe various colonies were amongst the guests to attoad the luncheon at Quildha'l to meet their Boyal Highnesses. Tho hall presented a splendid spectacle. The Prince of Wales in replying to the toast of his health said that he saw in Australia the consummation of tho great niwsion, which was the immediate object of tho Royal journey. His hearers could imagine his feelings of pride in presiding at tho inauguration of the firsll representation Assembly of the Commonwealth. During his happy stay of many weeks in the different States he was able to gain an insight into tho working of the Commonwealth, the social and other interests, and into something of the great progress mads and tho great capabilities of tho Commonwealth. He also gained the acquaintance of many to whose credit tho progress of tho country lies. He found New Zealand in (he fall enjoyment of free and liberal ins Rations. Many interesting social experiments had been put to test and ho had the satisfaction of meeting a large gathering of Maoris, once a brave, resolute foe, but now peaceful and contented. Tasmania was visited on the homeward journey, and added that the olid country must wake up if it intended to maintain its old position of pre-eminence in colonial trade against foreigners. Lord Roseberry in proposing the toast of the Colonies expressed the hope that one result of the journey would be to systematise and make more businesslike the bon is uniting the Empire Mr Chamberlain in responding rejoined that their Highnesses in representing the Imperial idea were welcomed by subjects living in five continents, yet constituting one people. Lord Salisbury proposed the Lord Mayor and Corporation. Commenting on the Colonies’ rally to the Motherland, he said that our distant kinsmen’s support constitutes an approval and sanction which to us is worth infinitely raore than all the contempt and all the censure wo may receive from other nations,,