ROYAL TOUR FILM

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 5 December 1927, Page 5

ROYAL TOUR FILM

REVEALS THE ENTHUSIASM. G(/0D THAT VISITS DO. (Received 5. 9.25 a.m.) London, December 4. The seven-reel film of the Duke and Duchess of York’s Australian and New Zealand tour was shown ior the first time at a kitchen benefit for Earl Haig’s ex-Servicemeii'a Fund. Earl Cavan, in the happiest vein, recounting the incidents of the film, declared it was almost impossible to describe the Dominions’ enthusiasm. Royal visits did incalculable good. Britons are only able to realise the Australians’ warm-hearted loyalty if they imagined that their Royalties resided in Australia and were only visible in London once in a decade. Even then is would be necessary to multiply thrice the enthusiasm that the colder Britons would display to gain the slightest idea of the warmth of Australia’s welcome. Earl Cavan emphasised the complete success of the tour. There was no shadow for a single moment. The Duke’s staff, the ship’s company and the journalists accompanying were the happiest family. After the New Zealand section was shown. Earl Cavan drew attention to Wellington’s stiring welcome, and added. “But you have yet to witness Australia’s.” Earl Cavan recalled that when they entered Sydney harbour every rock and stone seemed a mass of people, and this mass stretched six or seven miles in every direction. It was the greatest gathering and most wonderful display of enthusiasm l.e had ever seen. —(A. and N.Z.)