PRINCE AND COMMUNIST

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 643, 20 April 1929, Page 13

PRINCE AND COMMUNIST

MR. COOK THANKS FRIEND OF MINERS STRIKING TRIBUTE PAID (United Telegraph Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) LONDON", Thursday. The Prince of Wales and Mr. A. J. Cook stood chatting in the liveliest fashion after a luncheon at Mansion House, at which the Prince personally thanked those who worked for the Coalfields Distress Fund. “I wish to thank, from the bottom of my heart," said the Prince, "those subscribers, small and large, not only in England, but in the Dominions and America. One might almost say the subscriptions were world-wide. The response had been remarkable, but we are not yet out of the wood, and much » remains to be done. I know I can rely on the continuous valuable assistance of all.” Mr. Cook said: "We owe the Prince the most real measure of thanks, with whole-hearted enthusiasm. He has brought the throne quite clos£ to the populace. It is thanks to the Prince that I am able to come here without contaminating anyone. His conduct and his attitude have shown that all mankind has great qualities in common."

"You, sir," said Mr. Cook, speaking directly to the Prince across the table, "have done a marvellous thing. Never was I so impressed as by your speech on Christmas night. I was with two Communist friends when your name was announced. They undoubtedly scoffed, but when you finished there were tears in their eyes. They put their hands in their pockets and gave what they had."