THE PRINCE

Southland Times, Issue 18815, 7 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE

NATION’S WELCOME AT WELLINGTON

STRIKING SPEECHES

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 6. The Prince of Wales spent a quiet morning at Government House, but the afternoon was crowded, three big functions occupying his attention. These were the civic reception at the Town Hall, the Government luncheon at Parliament Buildings, and a military review at Newtown Park Leaving Government House at a little after 12.30, the Prince drove via Kent Terrace, Courtenay Place, Manners street, and Cuba street. Not satisfied with the remarkable ebullition of patriotic fervour with which they heralded his entry into the city last night, the crowds to-day were out to give another demonstration of the fact that Wellington can rise above the cold official atmosphere in which (to strangers at anyrate) she so often seems to be wrapped as in a cloak of indifference or reserve. Wellington people are right at heart, however, and the whole route from Government House to the Town Hail testified to that fact in a manner that could leave no room for doubt. The Wellington College Cadets lined the drive to the gates at Government House, and inside the street entrance were drawn up little children from St. Mark’s School. Police and Territorials lined the streets, but the crowds, though wonderfully enthusiastic, were very orderly. The streets were decorated all the way with pylons bearing shields and flags, while several arches span the thoroughfares. A triple arching at Government House gate is easily best of these efforts. 1 Progress was slow through the densely packed streets, though Wellington crowds seem to have learned the art of opening out to let sections of processions through and then closing in again immediately. This probably is the result of the long series of processions during the war. At anyrate the fact is noticeable. At the Town Hall a great mass of people filled the street in front and spilled over into the adjacent thoroughfares, while every point of vantage on balcony or roof or at. windows was seized upon by more enterprising or agile onlookers. Everywhere flags waved, people cheered, and children shrilled glad cries of welcome, and the air fairly pulsated as the “Digger Prince” rode by, continually standing up and making quite a conspicuous figure even in the unpretentious uniform of a colonel of the Welsh Guards. As he waved his acknowledgments of the popular greeting he was frequently showered with confetti. At the Town Hall a band played the National Anthem as the Prince arrived. Then he inspected the guard of honour and the band played a verse of “God Bless the Prince of Wales” and he moved to the steps and was received by the Mayor and Councillors. THE CIVIC WELCOME.

PROCEEDINGS AT THE TOWN HALL. The Royal visitor's arrival inside the hall was the signal for another tremendous outburst of cheering. The large assembly room was tastefully decorated, and the stage made a wondrous picture of life and colour, yet withal free from the coldness of formality. Besides the Prince on the platform were Admiral Halsey, Colonel Grigg (the Prince’s private secretary) and other officers of the staff, the Prime Minister and Mrs Massey, with other members of the Cabinet, the Chief Justice, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. W. D. S. Mac Donald, the Mayoress, the Town Clerk, and other leading citizens. The grand organ pealed forth the National Anthem, and then the Mayor briefly welcomed the Prince, his remarks evoking wild enthusiasm. Mr Luke then read the citizens’ address expressive of loyalty to the King, the thankfulness that the great war had ended, and their pleasure that the Prince was able to visit these far-off islands. It also recalled the fact that the visitor’s father laid the foundation stone nineteen years ago of the building where this memorable welcome was now being extended to his Royal son. THE PRINCE’S REPLY.

The Prince replied as follows: “Your Worship and Gentlemen, —It is hard to express my very deep appreciation of the wonderful welcome which Wellington has given me within the rather formal limits of a reply to an address. I am very grateful for the generous and loyal sentiments which your Worship has expressed, and I shall be proud to convey them to my father the King, who always looks back with pleasure to his stay in Wellington, nineteen years ago. The sincerity of those sentiments could have no more convincing proof than the warmth and friendliness of the greeting accorded to me by the citizens of Wellington when I drove through the streets. I have long looked forward to the day of my arrival in this capital city, the most distant dominion of the King, but the reality has far exceeded anything which I was vain enough to expect. I can truly say that I have never had a welcome which has touched me more deeply, and I thank you from the bottom of ray heart. “Two features of my reception in New Zealand have appealed to me with special force, first, the great numbers of veterans of three wars who have been good enough to parade for me everywhere, and second, the fine appearance and bearing of your cadets and school children, as sturdy a breed of young Britons as one could wish to see. The impression made upon me by those three generations, the old, the present, and the new, is very strong. In the older veterans I recalled the early struggles of the colony to spread British civilisation. In the veterans of the South African and European wars, pakeha and Maori alike, I saw the great development of the dominion as one of the bulwarks of British unity. Freedom in the future is certain to be yours if your children line up to the example of their fathers who won and made and fought to defend this lovely and fertile land I must thank you also, your Worship, for the much too generous things which you have said about myself. I can only say that this visit is proving an even more pleasant and valuable experience than I hoped. I shall carry away very happy memories of my stay in New Zealand, and I shall keep them all my life.” OTHER ADDRESSES. Addresses were also presented by the Har. hour Board, from the Church of England, from the Roman Catholic Church, from the Baptist Church, from the Hebrew community, the Salvation Army, the P.P.A., the Welsh Society, the Chinese residents, and from Indians, as well as from the Otaki people, whose loyal greeting was cut out owing to the re-arrangement of the itinerary following the railway trouble. The Welsh greeting was peculiarly impressive, a large choir, accompanied by the organ, singing the text ip the Celtic tongue and ending with a portion in English. The singing drew heartiest expressions of approval from the huge audience when the last notes faded away. As time was becoming short, the Prince had to abandon the practice of greeting the people individually as they filed past him, and had to hurry away to Parliament buildings for the Government luncheon, his passage along the streets being marked by another continuous sound of cheering and waving of flags. No victor returned to ancient Rome rich with the the spoils of conquest could have been acclaimed with greater enthusiasm. Edward Prince of Wales has come to Wellington and completed his conquest of the people’s great warm heart, which already had opened to him by reason of his close association with our boys on the field of battle in distant France and Flanders.

THE GOVERNMENT LUNCHEON,

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION

Parliament House grounds and near-by streets held more thousands of cheering,-flag-waving people as the Prince made his way to the main entrance, the car’s progress along the driveway being marked by showers of confetti and coloured streamers which were thrown across from side to side. The luncheon was a brilliant function, probably the most notable that has “taken place in New Zealand. THE GUESTS. Those present were His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, His Excellency the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice, Rear-Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey, and the following members of the Princes’s staff and officers of the Renown: Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. M, Grigg, Captain Taylor, R.N., Engineer-Commander Milner R.N., Mate Kent, R.N., Commander Rogers, R.N., Engineer-Lieutenant Warner, R.N., Captain Eastman, R.NA., Lieutenant Lord Mountbatten, Captain Dudley North, R.N., Paymaster Lieutenant Commander Janion, R.N., Rev. W .Scott R.N., Captain the Hon. P. W. Leigh, Lieutenant W. Low, R.N., Commander Campbell, R.N., Sir Godfrey Thomas, Lieut.-Commander Eolleston, Lord Claude Hilton, the members of the Ministry', the lions. Sir Francis Bell Sir William Fraser, D. H. Guthrie, J. G. Coates, E. P. Lee, W. Nosworthy, and C. J. Parr, Sir Joseph Ward,, Sir Frederick Lang, the Hon. W. C. F. Caxncross, the Hon. W. D. S. Macdonald, Major-Generals Sir A. H. Russell, Sir W. G. Chaytor, and Sir A. Robin; Brigadier-General G. S. Richardson; Commander T. A. Williams, R. (Naval Adviser to the New Zealand Government), the Mayor of Wellington (Mr J. P. Luke, M.P.), Mr Justice Edwards, Mr Justice Chapman, Mr Justice Cooper, Mr Justice Herdman, the Hons. W. Tnggs, W. Earnshaw, John Topi Patuki, J. Barr, W. Geddes, D. T. Fleming, R. Moore; Colonel W. E. Collins, O. Samuel, C. Louisson, C. 11. Izard, Sir W. Hall-Jones, J. G. W. Aitken, E. W. Allison, R. K. Simpson and Sir Walter Buchanan; Messrs E Newman, C. E. Statham, W. Lysnar, A. D. McLeod, T. K. Sidey, A. D. McNeil, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Messrs T. E. Y. Seddon, H. M. Campbell, A. S. Malcolm, W. H. Field, K. W. Smith, Dr Newman. Mr W. D. S. Glenn, Colonel W. Mitchell' Messrs G. J. Anderson, R. McCallum, A. F. Hockley, C. J. Hawken, J. Craigie, G. Witty, R. A. Wright. A. Harris, R. F. Bollard, T. W. Rhodes, W. D. Burnett, H. Holland, J. A. Nash, W. A. Veitch, H. Atmore, J. Home, J. V. Brown, J. H. W. Ure, E. Kellett, and J. S. Dickson, members of Parliament; Sir John Salmond (Solicitor-General), Messrs J. G. Harkness (Wellington Harbour Board), J. O’Donovan, F. W. Flanagan, P. C. Corliss, F. W. Rowley, C. Wilson, W. R. Morris W B. Montgomery, Colonel Esson, Messrs R. W. McVilly, B. M, Widson, E. K. Matthews, D. Robertson, R. W. Holmes; Dr Valintine, Colonel Collins, Messrs J. H. Richardson, D. W. J. Anderson, J. Hislop, T. N. Broderick, J. Ritchie, R. Duncan, R. Triggs, C. J. Reakes, Dr Hay; Messrs A. F. Lowe, R. E. Hayes, J. R. Sampson, G. C. Fache, H. D. Thomson, Marcus Marks, A. H. Rimbrell, C. R. E. Robieson, A. R. Fowler, R. W. Furloy (civil service heads) ; A. C. Day, Captain Tabu Rhodes, Messrs R. W. Dalton (British Trade Commissioner), D. W. Dutliie, Gavin Hamilton, Dr Boxer (R.S.A.), Messrs C. M. Luke (Central Chamber of Commerce), J. Findlay (Shipowners’ Committee) ; Brigadier-General Gavin, Messrs F. H. Mather, S. M. Stone, J. W. McEwan, and E. H. Rishworth (suburban Mayors), E. Cotts, Keith Murdoch, J. Saiides, V. Marsden, and representatives of the Press Association and the Wellington papers. Other representative gentlemen, including members of Parliament were invited but were unable to attend.

THE TOASTS. The old chamber was tastefully decorated with flowers and foliage, and pictures of the Royal Family draped in flags looked down upon the assemblage. Mr Massey, in the chair, had on his right the Prince and Admiral Halsey, and on his left the Governor-General. The Prince’s staff and officers of the Renown occupied seats near by. Only two toasts wore honoured, that of the King, proposed by Lord Liverpool, and that of “Our Guest,” proposed by Mr Massey, who, after expressing pleasure at the cordiality of the popular welcome extended to the visitor in the North Island, assured him that he would find the South Island no less warm in its expression of goodwill. The Premier referred to the visits of the Duke of Edinburgh and of the present King and Queen, but though they evoked remarkable enthusiasm the present guest’s visit had called forth something deeper. War a dreadful scourge, yet it was not always an unmixed evil. He did not forget the sacrifices that had been made, but one result of the lute war must be remembered. It had brought all parts of the Empire into closer union under one flag and one King, with one destiny to work for, the common cause of humanity. There were great opportunities in front of the Empire if it would take advantage of them. Referring to the future in relation to naval matters, Mr Massey said he felt sure that New Zealand sailors in years to come would give a good account of themselves if need arose. The people must do all possible to develop the resources of the country. If they did this all would be well. Industrial unrest was prevalent, but ho believed that the good old British common sense would bring things rightin the end, and the various differences would be adjusted as they arose. The Premier declared his belief that Britain would again lead the world in industry as she did before the war, and on a grander scale than ever. “His Royal Highness belongs to the younger generation,” said Mr Massey. “The time will come when he will reign over this great Empire—(Applause.)-—and when it comes the knowledge and experience he has gained will enable him to rule wisely and well. — (Applause.) We know his record. He went to the front as any other son of the Empire, and he met our boys on the Western Front. They were his comrades, and this band of comradeship will never be forgotten or broken in years to come.” Mr Massey added that the supremacy of the British Navy must be maintained at all costs. No part of the Empire surpassed New Zealand in its loyalty to the Throne on the field or off it. He predicted that the Dominions would play an important part in the future trade and industry of the Empire. The Premier concluded by tendering a welcome to Sir Lionel Halsey and the officers of the Renown. They had been lately fighting the fight for the Empire, and in doing so they were fighting the fight of this country. The toast was drunk with musical* honours, and the Prince, on rising to respond, was greeted with great cheering and applause.

THE PRINCE’S REPLY.

AN ELOQUENT SPEECH. The Prince said;— “Your Excellency, Mr Massey, and gentlemen,- —I thank you sincerely for entertaining me at luncheon here to-day. I am deeply touched by the way in which you have received this toast, and by the eloquent terms in which Mr Massey proposed it. I only wish I could express as truly as I feel it my gratitude and appreciation for the loyal and generous welcome which has met me here and everywhere since I landed in New Zealand ten days ago. I am no orator, I fear, but I will try to tell you all I feel. (Applause). I wish first of all to thank his Excellency, the Prime Minister and his Government, the local authorities, and all others concerned for the hospitality shown to me and my staff, and for the splendid arrangements made for my tour everywhere. I am also particularly grateful to the Chief Commissioner of Railways and to all ranks of the railway service for the care taken of me during my very comfortable journey. (Laughter and applause). I know I must have given them all a great deal of extra trouble, and I appreciate the way in which they have helped me. Somehow or other the trains were not running very well last week, but mine could not have run better, and I am delighted to

have been able to carry out my original North Island programme without serious curtailment. I need not say how much I had been looking forward to my visit to New Zealand, and I have been even more impressed by all that I have seen than I expected to be. • Since I landed I have often reflected that Queen Victoria had been on the throne for over thirty years before this dominion, annexed in the first years of her reign, had finally settled down to peaceful progress and development, with the wonderful results which I have noted everywhere. When I sei your towns, your harbours, your roads and railways, your miles and miles of settled agricultural and dairying land, I am amazed at what you and only one generation before you have done. I have had a splendid time in the North Island, and I shall find just as much in the south to wonder at. I can’t exaggerate my admiration for all that you have achieved. Before I leave the North Island I must refer to the splendid Maori reception given to me at Rotorua. I was very grateful for the be.autiful things presented to me, and was much impressed by the whole demonstration. I should like to congratulate the. Maori representatives whom I see here to-day, and the whole Maori people on the progress they have made as citizens of the Empire, and on their proved fidelity as subjects of his Majesty the King. (Applause). “Up to now 1 have spoken only of your material achievements, but what matters most is the spirit of your people, for on this the future«of the Dominion must ultimately depend, Mr Massey has reminded us that, the two previous visits of members of my family to New Zealand, that of the Duke of Edinburgh in ISG9, and of the King and Queen in 1901, both followed immediately after wars. The fine spirit of the New Zealanders which proved itself first in the last Maori War found splendid expression a generation later in the South African War, but the greatest test of all has come in my own time, and this Dominion responded in 1914 more magnificently' than ever to the Empire's call. I have had the pleasure and privilege since I landed of meeting thousands of veterans of all three wars, and I am grateful to them for giving me the opportunity of seeing them. 1 was too young to take part in the Maori and South African wars, but I spent four years at the front in the great European War—(Applause.)—and of all the many experiences which I then gained I value none as much as the opportunity which I had of coming into close personal contact with men of all ranks from all parts of the Empire.— (Applause.) I saw a lot of the New Zealand Division in Egypt and Flanders under General Sir Andrew Russell—(Applause.)—and I found New Zealanders in many other formations, particularly in the Royal Air Force. In this way I was able to appreciate a little the magnificent spirit of New Zealand, Pakeha and Maori, and to realise the strength of the Dominion’s devotion to King, Empire, and Homeland.—(Applause.) I therefore owe a great deal to tbo soldiers of New Zealand, and I hope they will always look on me as a comrade —(Ap-plause.)-—in peace time just as they did on active service, or as they prefer to call me out here, as a “Digger.”—(Laughter and applause.) But the New Zealanders, as the Prime Minister has said, are also a maritime people, and have had men serving in all branches of the Royal Navy'. You must be proud to think that that splendid battle-cruiser. His Majesty’s Ship New Zealand, which paid you a visit in 1913 under the command of my chief of staff, Sir Lionel Halsey, played so gallant a part in all the North Sea actions fought j during the war. — (Applause.) She was one |of only' three battle-cruisers to take part ] in all the actions fought in the North Sea, | and she was in the thick of the fight on all j three occasions. I have been deeply in- | tcrested to hear that the captain of the New Zealand went into action all three times wearing a mat presented to him by the Maori people when the ship visited New Zealand before the war.— (Applause.) The ship paid you a second visit last year, flying the flag of that gallant Admiral of the- Fleet Lord Jellicoe—-(Applause.)—and I should like to take this opportunity of congratulating both him and the Dominion on his appointment as Governor-General.— (Loud applause.) There have been no inen-of-war stationed in New Zealand waters for some time, and I am glad to think that the light cruisers Chatham and Diamond arc soon coming out, the latter 1 to replace the Arnokura as a training ship, j and to be manned with New Zealand rati ings. I am very proud also that His Majesty has allowed me to carry out this voyage in the magnificent new battlecruiser, His Majesty r ’s Ship Renown, and I should like to thank the Government and evcry'body for the kindness and hospitality which are being shown to the officers and the ship’s company' everywhere. But, gentlemen, we must not forget cither what our women did —(Hear, hear,) —both overseas and at home during the war. As nurses and in all branches of war work they contributed nobly to our victory. When we tliink of our women our thoughts naturally turn to the blanks which the war has made in many homes which can never be filled again. I offer my deepest condolences to IIH who have sustained loss, i and my' sympathy also goes out to those j who have had the bad luck to be inj capacitated. I am grateful to think of the j splendid care which the New Zealand Gov- | eminent has talien of disabled men in hosj pitals. I have also been very much struck jby the thorough and systematic way in j which you deal with the younger generation I here. I have seen thousands of cadets, Boy Scouts, and school children who have I greatly iriipressed me, and they have | made me realise the enormous value to the dominion which must result from the splendid training and discipline which are being given to the girls and boys of all sections of the community, thanks to your system j of education. Without any enforced militarI ism you have maintained a fine division and other units in the Great War. From what 1 have already seen the coming generation are being brought up to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, who won the great victory', 'illat means that they will know how to build up the greatness of their country in peace by developing its natural resources and industries, find at the same time be ready to defend the Empire and to uphold the great traditions of the past if need should again arise. (Applause.) We have had hard and difficult times during the war, and we are having in many ways harder and more difficult times now. The Great War, gentlemen, has brought in a new epoch in the history of the world, and the responsibilities of the British Empire are greater to-day than ever before. It seems to me that the British people have a very special duty laid upon them now. We are all recovering very rapidly from the | strain of the last five years, and we are I already enjoying a well-being and happiness still denied to nearly all the nations of the old world. I think we are still apt to forget the fact that millions in Europe are still in the grip of famine, misery’, and despair. The Prime Minister referred in his speech to the unrest wluch is making itself felt at the present time, but unrest is natural, and it will bo productive of nothing but real good if we remember that the eyes of the world are upon us and show the steadiness and fairness which marked our conduct of the war. Applause.) I am confident that we shall, and I will tell you why; We are all British. (Applause.) I have met nothing more solidly and unrepcntantly British than my New Zealand kith and kin. (Applause.) That means a lot of things. It means for one thing that all sections amongst us are keen about their rights, and fasten like hull dogs on to what they' consider to be their due. It means for another thing that when we have disputes among ourselves we manage to settle them with common sense and fairness to all (hear, hear) , and it means above all things that our local controversies in no way affect, our common devotion to British justice and British freedom (applause) and the unity of the Great Empire which our hands have made. Nothing can go really wrong with- us if we keep our British temper and our British ideals. Gentlemen, I thank you sincerely for the kindness with which you have listened to me. I can only say that I shall never forget the welcome which you and all New Zealand have given me, and I that I will endeavour all my life to be , worthy of your trust.” (Great applause.)

REVIEW AT NEWTOWN PARK. BESTOWAL OF DECORATIONS. After the luncheon the party were photo* graphed, and the Prince proceeded to Newtown Park, being cheered to the echo along the route, and by the great concourse of people gathered on the terrace around the level where 8000 troops were drawn up, including 3000 returned men. A number of decorations were pinned on the men’s breasts by the Prince, who then shook hands with a long line of veterans as they filed past him. BALL AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. The Prince to-night attends a ball at Government House, where a brilliant assemblage is gathered in his honour. It has been a very full day, and one that will bo remembered when many moons have waned, and as one of the most impressive and yet joyous that has passed on the shores of Poneke. To-night the city is brightly illuminated, and crowds are out viewing the blaze of colour. The weather, though dull, kept fine all day, and promises well for to-morrow. VISIT TO INVERCARGILL. MEETING OF RECEPTION COMMITTES. A meeting of the local Reception Committee in the Council Chambers last evening was largely attended. The Mayor, Mr iMm Stead, presided. The chairman intimated that he. had received a telegram from Sir William Fraser and another from Mr Han an, stating that the Prince would leave Invercargill at 10 p.m, and he thought that that advice could be accepted as correct. Mr C. S. Longuet, in referring to the afternoon’s function at the showgrounds, stated that he thought the military had been given too prominent a position, to the exclusion of the children, and was of the opinion that the position should be reversed. The visit of the Prince meant a great deal to the young folk and they were looking forward with more pleasure than anyone else to seeing him. He believed that they should not be placed at a disadvantage or be given such a small part of the ground in comparison with the military. The chairman remarked that the speaker should not forget that the military parade was an immense attraction even to the children. The matter had previously been discussed and the schoolmasters were quite satisfied vrith the position allotted to them. A member suggested that the chairman aa the chief citizen might be able to do something by approaching the military authorities, and in reply the Mayor stated that he might be able to take the Prince to see the children first. Mr Lennie: You can’t do it, your Worship, it would be a breach of military etiquette. The Mayor replied that he would be quite prepared to chance it. Mr O’Toole said that he thought the difficulty could be overcome by allotting equal space to the children and the military and by erecting a stand immediately in front of each group. He was very disappointed that the military were not going to assist by supplying a guard and he had also been informed that they could not do anything in regard to guarding the route. It seemed as if the military were going to have the best of the proceedings and were doing very little to assist. Perhaps Major Glendining had receixed some instructions, which prevented him from supplying the men, as he had always given every assistance he could at other functions. Mr Miller: He has received instructions. The Mayor; I understand that Inspector Fouhy had been promised all the assistance he required. Inspector Fouhy; I was promised the use of eight horses, but now I find that horses are not allowed. The Mayor stated that it appeared that the schools like the military were not going to do a single thing. He had been told that the children would perform some but they were not even going to do that now. Mr Lennie stated that he did not see why 1200 soldiers should take up as much space as 5000 children. It should be pointed out quite strongly and firmly to the military that the children should be given a fair share of the ground. Mr Clapcott, who arrived at this stage of the discussion, apologised for the absence of Major Glendining, who had been called away to Gore. The speaker supported the opinion that the difficulty could be overcome by erecting two platforms. Mr Crosby-Smith said that it would not be fair to place the children a quarter of a mile away from the Prince. After further discussion it was decided to erect two stands as suggested by Mr O’Toole and the Mayor, and Messrs C. S. Longuet and W. A. Ott were appointed to approach the military authorities. It was decided to approve of the list of persons to receive special invitations as drawn up by the committee appointed, but that the invitations be restricted to the afternoon function, and that special invitations to the evening’s entertainment be issued only to those strictly official. It was also decided that seats in the grandstand be reserved for parents or widj ows of men killed at the front and the aged and infirm parents of returned soldiers.