ROYAL TOUR

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1927, Page 1

ROYAL TOUR

THE DUKE’S REVIEW. (Australian N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON", July 10. London’s ill-behaved summer relented at mid-day to-day, and gate a a., sunny setting to the Duke and Duchess nf Yoik’s triumphant drive, afcompanicil by nil escort of Info Guards. The route to the Guildhall was packed with cheering crowds, the Duchess everywhere being delightfully greeted, especially by shop girls, who perched at windows overlooking the Strand. I lie ceremony really constituted the final epistle of the wonderful tour, because it was not only London’s official welcome home, but a reunion with the Dominion officials, with whom the Duke and Duchess say they range themselves in making known tile virtues and anxieties of the Southern outposts, also permitted the Duke eloquently and earnestly to review the Royal tour. There were nine hundred guests, including the Prince of AYale.s. Prim: George, the Duke of Connaught. Air Baldwin, Air Aniory. Lord Beatty. Sir .las and Lady Parr, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London. Af>- Ramsay MacDonald, and Air J. 11. Thomas.

Tbe first ceremony was in the Library, where the guests were welcomed with a fanfare of trumpets, the Duchess looking her prettiest in n cream lace gown, with a pink hat. The address of welcome recalled the King’s and Prince of Wales’s visits, emphasising the tact, insight and onerg v with which the Duke and Duchess had strengthened tbe ties binding the Empire.

Luncheon was served in the historic Guildhall, further fanfares of silver trumpets heralding the coming of the guests to the lop of the table. Mr Baldwin. Prime Minister, emphasised that lie spoko. not only on behalf of flic ( it.v ol London, hm of the people ol Britain. He rejoiced that the Duke and Duchess especially had stood the strain ol the long tour so well. Few realised what a strain it was. It was no easy task to he cheerful and easy tempered all day and every day. AIL Baldwin concluded by coupling with the toast of the Duke and Duchess “a lady. he said, ‘I have never met, hut have already (fallen in love ivif-h. through her photograph, the Princess Elizabeth.’’

DUKE’S APPRECIATION’. LONDON, July 10. The Duke and (Duchess of York had a wonderful reception from cheering crowds on their first public appearance since, their return. u,.hon they visited Guildhall. Responding to a toast at lunch, the Duke said: “We both had a wonderful time in the last six months, which have been the most interesting and memorable of our lives, lmt it is good to ho in the old country again in our own home with our own family. ] endeavoured everywhere to study the natural icsoi trees and industries. My first and foremost impression was the wonderful loyalty of all classes to the Throne ami Empire, and their affection for the .Mother Country, which they still call Home. AVlien I say loyalty, L do not mean only loyalty in the sense of affection for His Majesty's person, and family, of which indeed we had the most moving abundant evidence personally, and in remembrance of the visit of the King. Queen and Prince of Wales, hut in the widest sense of deration to all those things for which the Crown and Empire stand Justice. 1 liberty, fair play and love ol P< Th 0 Duke of York, in replying spoke very warntlv and fluently, having evidently hit'll deeply touched with tlio warmth of their reception everywhere. He was loudly applauded when he paid a tribute to flic effectioiiate loyalty to the. Crown displayed throughout the visit. Tie gave a vivid word picture of the scenery and sporting possibilities of the Dominions, and concluded with a scries of crisp impressions of what Tie had seen. f(. was noticed that tho Duchess beamed approvingly when the Duke referred to the beauty and physical fitness cf The children of the two Dominions. The Duke of York, in bis speech, continued : “My second great impression was that of the marvellous development of Australia and New Zealand within three generations. When one reflected what those Dominions are to-day and what they were a century ago, it is a tribute to British pluck and determination to have created those great civilised countries out of the wilds. No one can realise these' things withoutseeing them for himself. There are wonderful possibilities of the futuic. Given a continuance of the spifjb which animated the pioneers, and I am sure we need have no doubt of Ibis. I see no limit to the future development of these great countries, for which I predict a wonderful destiny. As their population increases, industry and production will grow. Tn both Dominions the people arc united in a desire for a large population, bid this can only he achieved progressively. and hv wise development. Tn this T am convinced they are right. Bath countries are intensely critical, and are determined that their lilt ..re population must he of British slock.

Roth are desirous of welcoming their kinsmen from Home in assisting them in the great task before them. T am confident that, with wise development, and an increased power of absorbing large numbers, they in future will he among the greatest homes of the Bi itisli race.

“Xot only will their increase mean a great acquisition of strength to the Empire, with the desire for reciprocal trade which is Australia's and Xew Zealand’s policy, but it will provide increasing markets for British industry. and larger employment here and overseas. Settlement overseas is one of the most important functions vitlii which we have to deal to-day. Both Australia, and Xew Zealand at present have great opportunities for settlers with a will to succeed though hard work is essential, and the newcomer must he prepared to adapt himself to local conditions.

■‘lf T may make one practical suggestion. it is that a few of the successful settlors and their wives, who have been in the country, say. for five years, should be sent home to tell the intending migrants the true facts. If successful settlers are wanted, we must not over-colour or under-colour 'tiie picture, hut must tell the essential facts and the conditions to he faced, which nobody can do better than the settlor, who himself lias succeeded. Tt is desirable that all the new settlers should develop the true Australian and Xew Zealand outlook, one of The best

encouragements of wlitcli is family settlement for girls as well as boys, there is room for more Fairbridge Schools. YVe were immensely impressed by tbe happy faces and the strong, stmdy appearance of the girls. They are the best advertisement for the wonderful healthiness of the climate and a testimony to their careful upbringing. On our return from this lcniarkable opportunity. the Duchess and myself try to act as interpreters between the parts of Empire. Such personal intercourse is the best means of preserving the sense of kinship upon which Empire unity largely rests. "I return a thorough optimist.'' declared the Duke of York enthusiast ieally. “When one has travelled vast extents of our Empire, when one has witnessed what our fathers have accomplished. when one lias seen how the grit and creative purpose of our overseas kinsmen have conquered tremendous difficulties, it is impossible to despair of the future of the British race. So long as wo remain members of one family, with the qualities which have successfully carried ns through the War, wo shall he enabled to surmount all difficulties.”