THE ROYAL TOUR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3601, 19 February 1927, Page 3

THE ROYAL TOUR.

RENOWN AT FIJI ISLANDS

Suva, February 10

Punctual as usual H.M.S. Renown anchored in the picturesque harbour of Suva at 2 o’clock this afternoon, escorted thereto by three or four typical Sydney dinghies, motor-boats, and a whole fleet of native catamarans, their brown mat sails swelling to a favouring breeze and the crews waving and cheering in emulation of the Europeans aboard the more civilised craft.

The Duke and Duchess landed at 3 o’clock and .received a tumultuous welcome from the crowds gathered on the wharf, where the lauding stage was placed. The Royal Party was received by the Governor, the Mayor, the ChiefJustice, members of the Executive Council and other dignatories.

The native Address expressed thanks for the visit of the Royal representative of a mighty nation. They were especially grateful to the visitors for turning aside to view their small Islands. The visit would remain a living memory as were the visits of the King and the Prince of Wales. They were grateful for the presence of the Duchess as the representative of Scotland, which had given Fiji many sons to govern and lead. They were pleased to see the Renown again as a symbol of the invincible fleet guarding the Empire and ensuring peace. They gave assurance that the form of Government, established by Great Britain after the cession of the Islands was deeply appreciated. The benign rule preserving their interests and privileges increased their knowledge and wealth. They prayed the Duke of York to convey to the King their assurance of unswerving loyalty and thanks for the sympathetic Government. They prayed for prosperity, happiness and long life of the Duke and Duchess.

The Duke of York expressed thanks on behalf of the Duchess and himself and said he would not fail to convey to his father the message of loyalty and gratitude. The Duchess had be(*i especially touched by the reference to Scotland. He rejoiced to hear that the memory of the visits of the King and the Prince of Wales were still fresh. They had told of happy times spent in Fiji and / their loyal reception. The welfare of native subjects in all Dominions was ever near the heart of the King and all Kings of the House. “Continue to work with those the King sets over you, guard your interests, and all will be well for you and yorr descendants. I pray you will continue to flourish and prosper,” so the Duke of York concluded the address.

The Municipality tendered a welcome to the Duke and Duchess of York with an assurance of loyalty. It referred to the King’s visit in 1881 and the Prince, of Wales in 1920 and acknowledged the further honour of the Duke and Duchess of York’s visit to the colony on which it hoped they would carry away happy recollections. The Duke of York replying sincerely thanked the Municipality for the expressions of loyalty. He deeply appreciated the welcome,and it was a pleasure to renew the personal ties of friendship established in the past by his father and brother who retain the happiest memories of times spent in Fiji. “We are looking forward to repeating the delightful experiences and feel that such a visit will not fail to knit closer the bonds between the Mother country and distant portions of the Empire, which we assume you are not forgotten at Home. We realise to the full that the Empire is our greatest heritage, something infinitely precious, which we hold in trust from our forefathers for our children. YV e know too that if we are to keep that heritage it is our duty to learn and understand to help each other. Then united under one Hag, and owing allegiance to one sovereign, we may by co-operating prove worthy of the great trust handed down to us.”

Ho concluded by cordially wishing them happiness and prosperity.