PRINCE OF WALES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1920, Page 4

PRINCE OF WALES

FAREWELL MESSAGE TO NEW

ZEALAND

“HAPPY AND AFFECTIONATE * ’ MEMORIES.”

, CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. TJio following farewell message was handed to the Prime Miusiter by the Prince of Wales last night on board the H.M.S. Renown. To the Government and people of New Zealand:— My delightful visit to Now Zealand has come to an end, and I cannot sail to-morrow morning without sending a message of affectionate farewell to the people of the Dominion. When 1 spoke in Wellington, 1 tried to express the great pleasure which my travels tlirough the North island, rapid as they were, had given me; and I said that I looked forward to having just as good a time in tlnf South. The event has exceeded my expectations, high though, they woro. I can say now that not a day has passed since I landed on the 24th of April which has not added to the pleasure and value of iny tour. I have been most deeply touched by the wonderful welcomes which have met mb everywhere, and I can never think of t..e people of New Zealand without affection and gratitude. I should like to renew the thanks which I have expressed before to the Government of the Dominion and to all the authorities throughout New Zealand who have been at such pains to make my journey puctual and comfortable. The excellence of all the arrange, ments lias enhanced the pleasure of my travels both by road and by rail, and I, aril particularly glad to have seen even a very little of the magnificent scenery of mountain, river, and lake, for which this Dominion is fainous throughout the world. ® I I have only one regret—that my visit has been too short to enable me to see ail that I should like to have seen. J. have stayed nowhere without wishing that my stay could be prolonged, and 1 ieel that 1 have missed a great deal. I am particularly sorry that owing to the shortness of the time at my disposal 1 couid not travel a little through less settled districts and see for myself something of up-country 4'ife. 'L have seen, enough of town and country, however, to realise that a splendid future awaits .the Dominion. Your achievement since the country Was annexed to the British Crown, only eighty years ago, justifies the almost visonary confidence of your pioneers, arid constitutes an*amazing monument to the grit and enterprise of those who have so rapidly civilised and developed the land.

iwo things have particularly impressed me Hero, in tile lirst place, New Zealand is a land not mereiy of opportunity ior sumo, but of equal opportunity lor all. i have never seen ivell-rio-biig and happiness more unitormly evident inrougliout the population ol country and town, fn the second place, this Dominion is a living example oi the fact that a European race may take over a new country without injustice to its original, inhabitants, and both may advance in mutual deuce and understanding on a common path. Both races of New Zealand, pakeka and Maori, are an essential element in the life of the Dominion, and 1 have been deeply gratified, to see wliat progress the Aiaori people are making hand in hand with their British fellow-subjects. New Zealand is one of the greatest Monuments of British civilisation in the world, and I have felt from, end to end of the Dominion that there is nowhere a British people mroe set 'in British traditions or more true to British form. 1 have found the strength of your loyalty to the 'Empire, and its Sovereign as keen and bracing as mountain air, and I know that you will never weaken in your devotion to British unity and British ideals.

The spirit of New Zealand ■ wivs shown most signally by the _ splendid troops wliicli she sent to the front in the great war, and also by the way in which the whole country threw itself, without hesitation or reserve, into the Empire’s cause. It has been a special pleasure to me to thank so many of your returned men, and I should like to thank them once more for turning out in such large numbers to meet me wherever I have been. *1 regard them always as my old comrades-in-arms, and I am happy to see that they are maintaining the close ties of comradeship which, bound them together in the held. New Zealand need ,iear nothing of the future if her manhood preserves the spirit which this generation fought and endured for freedom and right.

In its Permanent Forces the Dominion possesses a very valuable nucleus of trained officers and men. I have been struck by their smart and soldierly appearance on parade, and I have also been impressed by your Territorials and Cadets, who have turned out in large numbers and always looked very well., You have reason to be proud of the results which your system of training has achieved. ,

Your confidence in the future has another solid ground. No one realises more keenly than I how heroic was the part which the women of the. Empire played in the prolonged and terrible ordeal of war. I should like to take this opportunity of congratulating again the women of New Zealand on their great services and brave endurance during the last five years, and also of offering my heartfelt sympathy to those whose gallant men will not return. New Zea. land women have proved themselves indeed the valiant counterpart of their husbands, brothers and sons. Both men and women, moreover, have created a noble tradition for the new generation which is growing up to-day. j have been greatly impressed by the gatherings of school-children which have been organised for me everywhere, and I have never seen a more robust, goodmannered, and promising race. I always felt when seeing them that they were very lucky children to have been horn in such surroundings and amid such promise, and they made me confident that they would be a credit to their country and their King, i I must end this message now, but I shall ot say good-bye. I feel myself a true New Zealander in heart; I look upon yon, the people of New Zealand, as •my own kith and kin; and I trust

1 that you on your part will always re- ] gard me as one of yourselves, who be-

longs to you as muoh as to the Old Country or any other of the King’s dominions.

There is a good part of the world for me to traverse still before I can say that I have seen the British Empire as a whole, and I do not know how long it may be before I can pay you another vist here. But this at least I cansfty that I shall be drawn to Now Zealand by very happy and affectionate memories, and that when the opportunity arises of returning hero again, I shall take it ivith delight and without delay. Kia Ora. EDWARD P. Lyttelton, May 21st., 1920.

WESTLAND’S FAREWELL. Mr T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., sent the following farewell message to His Royal Highness on behalf of the people of Westland:—“His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales, Lyttelton,—Accept from the people of Westland, after your visit to us, our sincere good wishes. We shall follow your, career with deeper and even more devoted interest. Goodbye, God speed.—'Thomas Seddon.” His Royal Highness sent the following reply through Admiral Halsey : “Thomas" Seddon, G rey mouth,—H.R.H. asks me to thank you very much for kind message, which he deeply appreciates. It is deeply regretted that GreynioutTi and Hokitika cannot be passed. Au Revoir, Kia Ora. —Admiral Halsey.”

(Per Press'Association.)

FELICITOUS MESSAGES. WELLINGTON, May 22.

On the departure oi fi.M.S. Renown from Lyttelton on Saturday mornirig, the Governor-General despatched ■; .he following message to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales—-“I join with my Government and the people of this Dominion, in expressing to your Royal Highness our fervent hope that your tour so auspiciously commenced m these s'outliern seas may draw the ties of Empire still closer together and at the same time prove a source of knowledge and' pleasure to yourself. New Zealand ports with your Royal Highness and those who sail with you, witfi the deepest regret after an all too short visit amongst us, Kia Ora. Liverpool, Governor-General.” His Excellency received on Saturday evening the following reply from His Royal Highness—“l am greatly touched .by Your Excellency’s message of farewell on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand. Please convey to all, my warmest thanks. I

can never sa'y, how much I enjoyed my first visit to New Zealand, nor shall 1 ever forget the loyalty and affection with which I was welcomed everywhere. New Zealand will never be far from ray thoughts and I hope to pay the Dominion another visit at some future time. The sooner the opportunity comes, the happier I shall be. Kia Ora. —Edward R.”

THE PRINCE’S MESSAGE

AUCKLAND, May 22

Hon Parr lias received from the. Prince, in? his own handwriting, a feeling farewell to your people, who were so enthusiastic in giving him s\ welcome to the Dominion. The message will be published in the School Journal, and read irt all schools simultaneously on Monday week.

1 AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] SYDNEY’S PREPARATIONS. SYDNEY, May 22. Emulating New Zealand, the city is making great preparations to entertain the Prince. It is estimated that the street decorations, will cost £60.000 . f which the Government’s share, which is mostly on public buildings is expected to he £15,009. The balance is mostly supplied by business houses along the route of the procession, which is getting itself lined with tall Venetian mats between which will be struflg greenery bunting and designs in coloured lamps. The buildings are alive with workmen erecting electric fittings. Besides the public buildings the Government ; s preparing on an elaborate scale a landing place at Farm Cove and Macquarrie Street. The main scheme is blue and white, the Prince’s colours, and the street is- divided into sections representing Britain and various Dominions. The business people have charge of the remainder of the route through the city which is divided into blocks and various enthusiastic block committee's are vieing with each other to produce the best possible effect. To view the harmonious whole, one grandstand at the top of Macquarrie street only,, is provided for veterans and incauacitated soldiers.

Melbourne preparations are in a forward conditions and are being feverishly pushed ahead. The city is being decorated on a lavish scale, the business people handsomely backing up the Government.