Losses in Australia on Preparation for the Visit

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1948, Page 7

Losses in Australia on Preparation for the Visit

BUSINESS PEOPLE “STAGGERED” BY CANCELLATION

(Rec. 10.50) SYDNEY, Nov. 23 After having been geared up for months to the preparation for the Koyai visit of the most lavish pageantry in Australian history, officials and business people have been staggered by the news of the postponement. Their concern, as with the rest of the Australians, was chiefly for the King. They all admitted, however, that the decision came as a severe Plow.

It. is unofficially estimated in Canberra that the preparations by the Commonwealth Government have cost over ten thousand _ pounds, including the cost of a visit to London of the Minister in charge of the tour, Senator Armstrong, and the Commonwealth Director, Lieutenant-Gen-eral F. H. Berryman; also a surveying trip by the naval vessels Warramunga ana Kulgoa to the Barrier Reef to map out, the course of the Royal visit; and also for surveys of airstrips. New South Wales and Victoria had begun the construction of Royal trams, and the Commonwealth is well on with the production of four thousand booklets, which were to have been distributed to school children. Many private firms had notified their intention to produce books, flags and other souvenirs,, and these will suffer a dead loss, unless they have insured themselves against the cancellation of the tour. One Sydney firm laid out twenty thousand pounds in decorations. Of this outlay, half is covered by insurance. , .... The dressmakers and the milliners will also be heavy losers. A CLOSE SECRET The secret was wel kept in Canberra until Mr Chifley’s anouncement at 11.30 a.m. Apart from him, the only persons who knew of the can-nor-General McKell and his secretary; and two Ministers. ceilation were his secretary; Gover-

Mr. Fraser’s Deep Concern

(Rec. 9.5) LONDON, Nov. 23. Rt. Hon. P. Fraser said: “The King has never spared himself in his most generous exercise of the functions of his high office. The earnest prayer of all of his loyal subjects to-day will be that the King should soon be restored to health.”

Regret in Greymouth

He was sure that everyone in Greymouth would join him in expressing deep regret that Their Majesties would not now visit the Dominion next year, said the Deputy Mayor (Mr J. E. Stokes) yesterday. He added that the news of the King’s illness had come as a shock, and, on behalf of the Borough Council and the citizens of Greymouth, he expressed the hope that His Majesty would make a quick recovery. The executive of the Royal V isit Committee is taking immediate action to cancel arrangements already made for the Royal Visit. These include the cancellation of an oraer tor £6OO worth of fireworks from England. Details will be finalised at the meeting of the Royal Visit Commitee which will be called when the Mayor (Mr F. F. Boustridge) returns from Auckland later in the week.