Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1920. HAEREMAI!

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1920. HAEREMAI!

There is no question about, the height, depth anj breadth of the welcome to be accorded His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales by the, people hero to-night and to-morrow, The loyal feelings of file public generally have been finding expression during the past few days in the comprehensive preparations being made to welcome the Prince in the heartiest manner possible. The willing workers who have vied with each other in decorative work have displayed an interest and a zeal in the visit which as typical of the feelings of the people generally, An eminent pressman (who by the way is accompanying the i toy a l visitor on behalf of the English publications) has put the object of the Royal tour to his Australian readers from tlie Prince’s viewpoint. Writing to the Sydney “Sun” on the eve of the departure from London, Mr Keith Murdoch the well-known war correspondent in question, said: “The Prince of Wales wants to know You. He wants to be p friend amongst friends, fo •become just as much-a part of Australian ljto as he is a part of British life, He could ride through superbly as a niej-e symbol—a correct, formal symbol of Britain a stately puppet on a stately battleship and in stately carriages, representing what is and has been Britain, its history, its traditions, its age and majesty and power, its prestige as a protector of Australia. That alone would win f° r him a. welcome, outdoing even that- or America where some such vision of the truculent but generous /Gld-Power lay -behind the immense reception. Such a. role does not satisfy the Prince. He is young—younger than his years, according to Australian patterns. Buf he has already taken his stand with the new idea of the Empire as an independent nation, and as heir to the formal throne or hereditary presidency which unites (them all, he goes to claim citizenship pf eacfc par}-, That is much more than •being a fresh-faced, golden-haired youth, an epitome of Britain’s history and house. How will lie do? His record makes conspicuous success likely. Itis a record teeming with experiences and successes that spell out a wonderful story of youth.”

I The prophetic vision of the war correspondent was not amiss. A.s His Highness has worked his way .south' on his strenuous tour, his welcome has grown day by day, Tho story gf his reception on alj sides tells «>f his wonderful popularity and the impress he has made by his own personality. He is a figure of Empire in being. 4. realisation of the personage we have hat} in mind of someone afar off, but now / so near. The silken cord which binds 1 the oversea dominions to the Motherland, frail though it might bo in appearance, is in actual texture an unbreakable chain, and the master ijuk : now being forged ;by the Royal visitor in person, makes assurance doubly sure and binds this young nation the stronger to the Old 'Land. Now Zealand is happily a loyal country, and this position, and the Dominion yields to no other province in its expression of loyalty fo the throne of England. It is only a iitfle over half a century since West- | land was first settled. The pioneers j who came to fheso shores in the day of the gold “rushes''’ wero of the liar- * dy British stock. They braved dangers and difficulties in search for the precious metal. They were the parent stock of the later “digger” who laid J down his life for the Empire op the fields of Europe and elsewhere • where ' the Anzacs fought. The pioneer miners built well and their families coming 1 after were no less loyal and true. These be the men, women and children of to-day who with heart and voice ten- ' dor a digger’s warm-heated welcome to ' our goldier 'Prince, pud shout with one voice:

“WELCOME TO WESTLAND.”