SCOTTISH WELCOME

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12614, 26 November 1926, Page 7

SCOTTISH WELCOME

MR COATES VIS7TS EDINBURGH m YE NO COME BACK AGAIN?” FREEDOM OF CITY CONFERRED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 25, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. Air Bruce, Air Coates, Air Alackeuzie Kins, Air Alonroe and the Maharajah of Burdwan began a tour under the auspices of the British Empire League by travelling to Edinburgh, where they spent a most interesting dav. First they were ndmittod to the freedom of the city before a large assembly in the Usher Hall, made picturesque by the presence of kilted school cadets, magistrates, and councillors in scarlet and ermine robes In receiving the freedom they joined an illustrious roll of burgesses, including Afacnulay. Dickens. Livingstone and Kitchener. The new freemen were acclaimed with great enthusiasm. The visitors nest lunched at the historic City Chambers, where they were played in by bngplnes and enjoyed a meal which in no way resembled Lon-

don’s continental menus, but was of characteristic Scottish fare, including turkey and plum pudding. and the haggis was brought in with due ceremony. The Prime Ministers paid tribute to the prominence of Scotsmen as Em-pire-builders, and sounded a note of strong optimism in connection with the work accomplished at the Imperial Conference. THE CONFERENCE’S WORK Air Coates, after detailing the important part Scotsmen have played in the development of New Zealand, said the recent conference had produced most valuable results. So far as partnership within the Empire was concerned it might not have achieved anything materially new, but it had definitely set the seal on the progress of Imperial relationship, which had come about naturally by evolution. As the result of the conference, the necessity of retaining closer touch with the Dominions would devolve upon British statesmen. New Zealand herself intended immediately to take steps to improve the contact between Wellington and London by providing more direct personal communication. It was hoped also to arrange a system of interchange of views on the outlook with sister Dominions. THE UNIVERSITY The Vice-Chancellor of the University referred to Edinburgh as the University of Greater Britain. It had turned loose upon a sick world 16.000 qualified practitioners, nearly five thoustnd of whom were in the Dominions. But soon there would he no need for Greater Britain’s sons to come to Edinburgh, except for_ a postgraduate course, as the Dominion universities were attaining such high efficiency. The gathering dispersed with the singing of “Will Ye No Come Back Again?” The next ceremony was the conferment of honorary Doctorships of Laws upon Mr Coates, the Maharajah of Burdwan, and Mr Alonroe. The Dean of the Faculty of Laws, in presenting Mr Coates, referred to him as one who, like Cincinnatus, left his farm with a fine physique and a sane outlook to serve his country, first in war and later in peace. The Prime Ministers took tea with the University Union, where they chatted with students from their respective countries. In the evening they were guests at an informal dinner given by Air AVhitelaw. chairman of the London and North Eastern Railwav, after which they attended a reception bv the Victoria League at Lady Findlay’s house.