A ROYAL VISITOR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 223, 26 January 1911, Page 7

A ROYAL VISITOR

IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA. THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS NEEDED. The first thing that strikes the ob .server about Prince Leopold of Batten berg, son of Prince Henry of Battenberj ami Princess Beatrice, and grandson o the late Queen Victoria, cousin of Kin; George, and brother of the Queen o Spain, is his keen perception (says tin Sydney Morning Herald oi January 18) The next thing is that he looks mon like a German than an English prince He is fair and full-visaged, and has hit moustache curled at the ends. He is young and fresh-blooded—he only at tained his majority a lew months ago—and is fond of riding, tennis, motoring and all outdoor amusements. And now lie is travelling to gain some experienci of the possibilities and the problems ol Britain's colonial possessions. The Prince reached Sydney on Monday January 10, after spending Sunday witn his Excellency the Governor at Moss Vale, and was escorted to the Federal Government House. There, on January 17, he was interviewed by a Sydney Herald reporter. He is what may be termed an approachable type of the blood-royal. He is not hard to interview—but he is exceedingly diplomatic in bis answers. His brain is as keen and alert as his eye. You will not catch him sideways with a question which, when jmt directly, he discreetly considers it undiplomatic 10 answer. No ; he will take a cigarette out of the case, light it slowly, puff thoughtfully, and, "Ah, but " CITY AND COUNTRY LIFE. "I left home on November 11," said Prince Leopold, "and came straight out hero, reaching Melbourne on December 19. We called at Fremantle and Adelaide, and I went ashore there, but only spent an hour or two in each place. I stayed in Melbourne, however, for a week. I was struck by the line buildings and broad streets. It seemed to be a very well-run sort of a place. 1 went to the theatres, and was surprised at the excellent way in which the plays were staged. I saw the pantonine 'Jack and the Beanstalk,' and thought it compared favorably with the productions at Home. The choristers and. the color schemes I thought extraordinarily good. On Boxing Day I went to Caulfield and enjoyed the racing. After that I went to the western district and stayed with Mr Gordon Chirnside for the best part of a fortnight, spending most of the time in riding and motoring. Your country life is fine. People ought 1 to come out here and spend six months on a station. It would do them good. I am leaving for New Zealand to-morrow (January 18), and will probably spend three weeks there." NEED FOR IMMIGRATION.

What were his impressions of Aus tralia, and the Australians!

"Australia is a tremendously go-ahead place," said Prince Leopold ; "and everybody seems to take a great pride in the country—in its wealth—in its growth. There does not seem to be any idleness here. Everybody is working. There is plenty of work to be done. You need a lot more people here. I think it would be a great thing to get immigrants from Home—thousands of them. The only trouble is the distance. That frightens them. But if the laboring classes at Home only realised wiiat tremendous openings there are here, I am sure they would be only too willing to come. Look at the pay they draw here compared with what they get at Home. "On the ship I came out in, the Omrah, there were many immigrants, and apparently they were not coining out on the chance of getting a job, but had the work waiting for .them as soon as they arrived. It had been all arranged before they left Home. Friends of theirs had come out, and then written to them. Every man who conies here has friends at Home, so that the more- people come here the more friends there will be to follow them when they are advised.

"IF AUSTRALIA WERE CANADA." "If only Australia were where Canada is, it would make a lot of difference. It is so cheap to get to Canada compared with what it costs to come here. Canada is only four or five days' steam from England. I think Australia should emulate Canada and go in for a more vigorous advertising campaign. You have the wealth and the resources, but you want the people, and the way to get them is by advertising the country. Yon can take thousands of immigrants, ami there are thousands who would be glad to come.

"They would have to work hard, ol course. The Australians are a hardworking and very sturdy lot of fellows ; and they are very keen oh sport and al. that kind of thing. Nobody seems to be loafing about, and there is an absence of poverty and squalor. The work in the bush is hard, but they sleep all the better for it, and make ' money. The bush is the place for the immigrants. It is not like grinding over a desk." Had His Highness seen the destroyers Yarra and Parramatta, the beginning of the Australian navy?—"No; I. clid°not see them."

Did he think it would be a good thing for Australia to have a navy of her own°, instead of contributing directly to the cost of the Imperial Navy ?—"That is a question which I would rather not discuss." DEFENCE., "What impression has Australia made on your Highness!" asked another interviewer. "A great impresion. Everything here is go-ahead. Even a casual visitor as I am is struck with the fact that vou are progressing more vapidly than is possible in any part of the Old Country. . . The fact that you are now earnestly stirring to build up a navy of your own, and that you are strengthening your forces by a system of compulsory service, has impressed the world that Australia is quickly merging from the position of dependence to that of a great factor in Imperial defence—and possibly offence. I can tell you this fact is gradually becoming recognised in Britain."

"I notice that the King and Queen are to visit India next winter," ventured the reporter. "Yes," the Prince replied. "That cablegram came as a surprise to me. Nothing of the kind was mooted when I left England. In view of the recent troubles in India, such a visit will be attended with some risk. But, on the other hand, his Majesty's visit would go far to allay any disaffection. Of course it is a plucky thing to do, but doubtless his Majesty regards it in the light of a national dutv."