OUR ROYAL VISITOR.

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17748, 16 March 1927, Page 4

OUR ROYAL VISITOR.

Oamaru to-day will have the oppSartunity of taking up New Zealand's chorus of welcome to the Duke of York, the second son of his Majesty the King. We are quite sure that the demonstration here will be in keeping with those which have marked the progress of the Duke and Duchess right along the line. Iteference to the Duchess, of course, fills us with deep regret that she will not be with us to-day, but there is the comforting reflection that matters might have been very much worse, ailied with the realisation that the rest which she is enjoying in Wellington will probably do a grpat deal to restore her to full health and vigour. It is an admirable feature in the lives of members of the British Royal Family that they are always' found ready for service. The late King Edward VII. endeared himself to his people by the readiness with which he adapted himself to any calls made upon him, and for the manner in which he entered into the life of the nation. It was well said of him that be was "in politics though not of them," His tact and discretion, his intimate acquaintance with Continental affairs, and his timely hints here and there, helped to maintain the peace of Europe and justly entitled him to be called, as he was. "Edward the Peacemaker." He saw to it that his children were trained on the right lines. "Like father, like son," though possibly in this case the son has proved Ihe greater in his personal service to the nation. King' Geoyge V. trained his sons for service and both the Prince of Wales and the Duke pf York have proved themselves to be no mere figure hqads, but mseful Nin their lives in service for and on behalf of the public good. As far as the present visit is concerned it seems as though this desire for service is being unduly exploited. With the best intentions in the world the New Zealanders are very solicitous in their demands upon the time of diStinguished visitors. The . programme which his Royal Highness has been called upon to fulfil during the past few days has been unconscionably exacting and it will, we are sure, be a great relief to those cliarged with the oversight of the arrangements when a more restful itinerary can be entered upon, more particularly in view of hiscoming Australian -campaign. At the same time the ardours which his Royal Highness is enduring and the physical exertion which he •, has been called upon to undergo will serve a very admirable purpose in emphasising the warmth of the re- | lationship of Crown and its lieges, ! and in bringing the peoples of the Empire through their true Imperial representatives into closer touch. Already, with service as his watchword, the Duke has achieved a great deal. He was, it will be remembered, a midshipman on H.M.S. Collingwood at the outbreak of war, and served with distinction, although seripus illnesses twice incapacitated him from duty. He was present in the Battle of Jutland and was commended in despatches by Lord .lellicoe. In 1917 he joined the battleship Malaya and later joined the Royal Air Force, qualifying as a pilot and being later promoted to the rank of Wing Commander and later still to that of Grou-o Captain. At the close of the war he was in France, serving on the staff of the Royal Air Force. And now as a berald of Empire he is performing greater services still. In the Ladv Elizabeth B'owes-Lvon, his Royal Highness has for his Consort one who has nroved a real helpmate to him, and who bears her part worthily and well in all his engagements. She comes of a distinguished family, as the daughter of the historic house of Strathmore and Kinghorne. In New Zealand she has won all hearts wherever she has been', and the people here will follow the future career of our distinguished guests with the keenest interest, as the result of their activities in our midst.