The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons Motto: Public service. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1920. HOMAGE TO ROYALTY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 523, 16 April 1920, Page 2

The Times. Published on Tuesday and Friday Afternoons Motto: Public service. FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1920. HOMAGE TO ROYALTY.

Notwithstanding the shortage of newsprint paper, most of the socalled leading newspapers in New Zealand have already covered reams of it discussing what foijm of dress should be worn at various receptions to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, heir to the most exalted throne in Christendom, past or present. In all likelihood, the prince is no more desirous of restricting his nationals to certain sartorial formalities than he would be to compel them to refer 1 to him by his full name, Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Pattick David Windsor. Judging by the fine open laughing countenance depicted in his photographs, these things do not matter a "dam" to him—and a "dam" is an Indian coin worth slightly less than an English farthing. (Ignorant modern writers have corrupted this expressive and reputable figure of speech to "damn," which, though good English, is used ordinarily in a senseless way.) What does matter is that the people who are led—God help them —by these "leading" journals, should thoroughly understand what the tone* meaning of the Royal visit is. More commonly than one might suppose in a country where education is free and compulsory, and everyone can read, people talk of loyalty or disloyalty as though the reigning sovereign's . personal qualifications were the attributes to which homage was to be paid or dislike expressed. They do not sense the shining truth that homage is due to the sovereign, his royal line, his ambassadors and governors, because royalty to us is the keystone of the arch of empire. Apart from the natural love of country possessed by all British men and women whose minds have not been perverted by disintegrating doctrines, the British Empire represents- despite black blots on its escutcheon— a magnificent edifice. It is the crowning glory of nineteenth century civilisation. With all its faults, thefe is none other whose people have suffered so nobly, so generously, and with such plenitude of physical, moral and spiritual agony for the sake of helping to uplift suffering humanity; to rescue the perishing and care foU the dyingincluding, recently, victims of a horrible military tyranny and thirst for wo.'ld dominion. This' proud heritage, this inspiring institution, like all thing's else, great or small, must have some fountain head; the British Empire is symbolised by its King, and the Prince of Wales is our King-' to-be. For this inner, reason, we shall pay glad homage to: our future sovereign. Certain Auckland . gentlemen cabled to the prince--ask-ing what they should wear at the reception, and leceived the obvious one and only reply possible, namely", that they could wear what they liked. Though certainly not intended as srch, ,the reply might well be taken as a royal rebuke of frivolity. There is an old saying that it takes nine tailoas to equal one man, and it. ia on record that Queen Elizabeth, when receiving a deputation consisting of eighteen tailors, greeted them thusly: "Good morning, gentlemen both." But it would really seem that it takes nine other adult males to equal one tailor, since we are all more or less slaves of fashion. However, these things may be, let us fully recognise that the Prince oi Wales represents to us the stupendous achievement, the exalted selfsacrifice, the past, present and the living symbol of the future of the proud and powerful, yet forbearing and humane British Empire.