PREPARING FOR THE PRINCE IN AUSTRALIA

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1920, Page 1

PREPARING FOR THE PRINCE IN AUSTRALIA

SYDNEY V .MELBOURNE. SYDNEY, Feb. 19

The itinerary of tho Prince of Wales’s visit to New Zealand has already been published in the newspapers here; but there is no sign yet that the Australian itinerary is anywhere near completion. Quite a number of public officials are supposed' to be hard at work “organising” the tour. Portentious paragraphs frequently appear to the unconcealed scorn of the Labour Press—as to what will be proper to wear in the presence of the Prince and which cities shall have precedence in receiving the honour of his visit. But as yet we know very little. All the States will be visited of eourse-and His Royal Highness will also go to certain of the Pacific Island groups—an event, no doubt, which will provide the usual pleasant junketing for a Parliamentary, party. We know also that Melbourne has voted £IO,OOO for the fitting entertainment of the Prince, and that the Labour Aldermen in the Sydney City Council, where they exactly equal in number . the Conservatives, have dared the latter body to bring forward any such proposal. The city of Sydney, however, is becoming really annoyed over the Common wealth Government’s decision to bring tho Prince into Australia through Melbourne. This is being done because Mel bourno happens to he the temporary capital, but anyone who knows Australia will ask why tho Prince should not enter Australia through the front door, which is Sydney. By reason of its size, its beauty ,and its geographical situation, Sydney should be the first to re- I ceive the Empire's future ruler. In arriving via Melbourne, the Prinoe will see first of all the ugly grey expanse of Hob son Bay, the ugly suburbs which clusteron the Bay and tho flat and uninteresting if well-built city of Alelbourne. Ten to one, the skies there at that time of the year will be dull and grey. Sydney approached by harbour lias none oi these disadvantages, but instead would give the Royal visitor a charming first, impression of the Commonwealth. Syd- | ney ns a rule takes very little notice of Melbourne arrogance, but this time tbei protest lias been loud and bitter. !