The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 30th, 1925. THE PRINCE’S TOUR.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 30th, 1925. THE PRINCE’S TOUR.

ilia ilovAf, Highness the Prince of Wales is continuing his Empire tour with the unvarying success which marked his travels over other ooun- . tries within the Empire. The great asset of Prince Edward is personal magnetism. It seems to exude from him, for not on any occasion in all the great tours he has undertaken has he failed to capture the hearts and minds of the peoples and win their admiration and respect.’ Jlis experience in that respect has been remarkable, for his tours have taken him among till classes of people. .Some time enemies or budding enemies, have been captivated by a speech or the wonderful charm of manner the Prince has with him. His addresses all convey a suggestion of inherent eloquence. If there were prejudice before it is replaced by a cordial atmosphere of friendliness. Where government is concerned, it means that passive assent or toleration is succeeded by enthusiastic support. The winning ways of tile Prince are outstanding for their great personal effect. In the present tour, which opened with the wonderful scenes marking the Prince’s visit to West Africa, there is a case in point. The magnetic influence of a remarkable personality was in evidence at once, and the tamed and untamed chiefs of darkest Africa were vieing with each other to do the Prince honor and homage. Mr Lloyd George coined the right title for the Prince of Wales when he styled him ‘‘The Ambassador of the British Empire.” As the Prince goes about among the people there is always something human, something natural in the touch or turn he gives his acts or speech. Those actions arrest and impress the

mind in such a way as to count for peace and happiness, and ensure a respect for laws and ordinances, hv the very friendliness engendered mutually between the Prince anil the people. All the way down the West African coast, at every point touched, there were cheering frantic masses of black humanity. At every stopping place gorgeously arrayed paramount chiefs met the King's representative and did all honor to the son of the Great W hite King. There, too. were met small knots of Britishers in the back country, bolding together an Ivin pi re by fair and careful administration. There ill those far-flung outposts, links of loyalty were forged and the bonds of sympathy and understanding cemented by a- personal contact with the representative of the British line of Kings. Everywhere where tlu* Prince came, ho saw. and he conquered. Throughout it all. in the trying stages of the trip covering the equatorial territory, Prince Edward ‘‘stood” tlie journey without personal ill-effects. 'I here were rounds of official ceremonies which always had first place, and not iniicli time for relaxation, for the account of the journey shows that the Prince broke away when lie could pass and mix among the dusky people the better to see and understand thorn for their native worth; and on such occasions it is interesting to know he was not recognised. As In the "West, so in South Africa, the unseen magic wand which the Prince wields so naturally. was again in action, and lie received a welcome worthy of his worth and the occasion. Britain and Boer were at one in honoring the Prince, and lining so, honored themselves in a very worthy way. Alaiiy memoirs will linger of the tour, for it occasioned numerous unique episodes and gatherings. With the dark races, some in semicivilisation, there were touches of barbaric splendour in the spectacles organised for the Prince’s honor and entertainment. .Such an event was presented in Nigeria, COO miles irom the Coast, which produced a spectacle rare indeed! lor "Pile men all thiiuugh centuries to have seen before. Here is a word picture of the wonderful scene ol the massed gathering at Kano durbar, where Nigerian chiefs assembled ill force, from the pen ol the- London “Daily .Mail” correspondent, a picture typical of many another remarkable gathering prepared in honor ol the must distinguished visitor and which marked the Koval tour almost as milestones along the varied route:- “The barbaric splendours of the march past of the huge mounted host ol hums and their retainers. 20,000 strong, was not an ordered parade in rank alignment. but just ail impetuous torrent ol exotic colour and primitive implements of war. Here came a tilling whose horses wore hidden h.uieuth ([lulled armour in purple, green, and lielintiop' 1 stripes, while tlie rulers had euis brass helmets surmounted with towering black ostrich leather plumes. Kadi chief brought Ills own tumult of cacophonous instruments trumpets long a.- Inures, with strange, twisted 11 1 11"11s, oddly thrilling drums, from the sine of a tambourine to that ol a dining table. Chain ' mail glistened Ireside leopard skin. Every violent coinin' danced brlore the eye until the head swam. Shrill war cries split the air. Banners llainitcd. Flashing broadswords curved and scimitars whirled in an arc id light. Ponies [dunged and danced. Hidcrs ol camels sprang to their led on the high saddles dominating the whole proces-sion--to throw their weapons into the air and re-eatch them. Fvery functionary of a mediaeval Court was there Jesters ill skills were posturing and capering and battering their neighbours. uni with bladders but with i luhs. .Mounted pages sedulously fanned their lords. Troupes of dancers stopped to beat l heir dusty measures before the Prince. Small naked boys poured water from yellow gourds lr> lav the stilling clouds. For an hour, without a moment's interruption, this i mightv reconstruction ol the glory of the Middle Ages vent on. All these •2O.P0I) excited black faces were turned lew-aids one slender, v.liite-Ullifonn-ed figure, slashed across by the v it'll blue ribbon ol the (tarter, but otheiwise uiiornamented except for the green and w hite hackle of the \\ elsli Guards set. in his spiked tropical helmet. Some of that Hausa horde had travelled live weeks through the bush to see him. bringing food lor themselves and their camels with them. Here, at an outpost of tlie Knipire. they were looking on their future King; and to those feudal people that personal contact will be the most vivid emotion of their lives.”