“THE DUKE’S ESCAPE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 66, 9 June 1927, Page 1

“THE DUKE’S ESCAPE”

Had to Break Programme to Go Among the People AUCKLAND OFFICIALDOM ATTACKED

AMONG the many flattering references to the Dominion which appear from time to time in the English Press, the following from the “Manchester Evening Chronicle" will come as a surprise to many New Zealanders who pride themselves on the democracy of their free and enlightened country. Judging from the “Chronicle” it would appear that New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, is still shackled with the chains of early-Victorian officialdom.

Referring to incidents of the Royal tour, the writer makes special mention of Auckland Government House in the following terms: “A confrere who was in New Zealand when the Duke and Duchess of York were touring the Dominion tells me that for lack of appreciation of the needs of the Press in connection with the Royal functions, Government House, Auckland, has few equals. “It seems these local officials were overawed by the importance of the occasion, and failed to realise the democratic methods which have alwavs characterised their Royal Highnesses. Finally, he tells me, the local Press transferred their grievance to the

Duke's personal staff, and thanks to the energetic representations of Mr. A. H. Batterbee, of the Dominions Office, whom we all know here as the essence of tact and discreet initiative, and who is specially attached to the Duke’s staff, matters were immediately straightened out. “Frequently, I am told, the Duke and Duchess astonished local officialdom by breaking away from the formal programme in order to gratify their desire to mingle more freely with the people whose guests they felt they were for the time being.’’ * s That the reflection comes from the very home of officialdom will by no means lighten the blow.