THE PRINCE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1920, Page 5

THE PRINCE

THE WELLINGTON WELCOME. A SPLENDID RECEPTION. THE CIVIC TRIBUTE. By Telegraph.—Pr«ss Association. Wellington, May (!. Wellington to-day gave the Prince of Wales an official welcome in a manner which, while not transcending the spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm which greeted him last night, was yet wonderful in its warmth and sincerity of expression. ,

Crowds early began to line the route from Government House to the Town Hall, via Kent Terrace, Manners Steret and Cuba Street, and the enthusiasm grew iu intensity till, by the time the Town Hall was readied, it was indescribable. The Prince stood in his ear practically all the way acknowledging the vociferous plaudits of the crowds. At the Town Hall the Mayor, Mr. Luke, received His Royal Highness and presented an address from the citizens. In the course of remarks prior to the reading of the address of welcome from the citizens, the Mayor referred to the pleasure the people of New Zealand' had felt at the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York nineteen years ago, and added that as the- result of his actions in participating in the dangers of the troops at the front their Royal visitor of that day had so endeared himself to the people that there was no man in the world who would be so •warmly welcome*! to Wellington. The address referred 'to the fact that the Prince's father laid the foundation stone of the hall in which he now stood.

The Prince's- rising to reply was the signal for a- great burst of cheering. His Highness expressed his deep appreciation of the wonderful welcome Wellington had tendered him in the streets and in the hall. He had long looked forward to a visit to tliis far part of the Empire. His welcome had exceeded anything he had been vain enough to expect. A deep impression had been made upon him by the sight of the veterans of three wars—the Maori, African and European. He had also been greatly impressed by tiie sight of so many thousands of line, sturdy young Britons.

The Prince concluded amid applause, again expressing pleasure at the reception given him. An address from the Harbor Board was also presented by the chairman, Mr. Harkness; an address from the Anglican Church was presented by Bishop Sprott; from the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand, and from several other churcVes, all expressive of loyalty and appreciation of His Highness' personal worth. The presentation of an address from the Welsh Society of Wellington was followed by the singing of a hymn in Welsh by a special choir, ending with a verse of "God Bless the Prince of Wales" in English. Other addresses came from the Maoris of the district and the Chinese in Wellington.

GOVERNMENT LUNCHEON. PRINCE'S REPLY TO WELCOME. Wellington, Last Night. In the afternoon the Prince attended a Government luncheon. In the c.uirse of his reply the Prince expressed his gratitude for the enthusiastic welcome accorded him everywhere he had been in New Zealand. He made humorous reference to the railway troubles, and said he was delighted to be able to carry out the North Island programme without serious curtailment. He had long looked forward to his visit to New Zea land, but never in any flight of imagination had he expected the warmth of the reception accorded him by Pakelia and Maori alike.

He was amazed to see the progress made by the country in such a brief space of time since it was lirst settled. What struck him most, however, was the splendid spirit of the people, proved first in the Maori wars, then a generation later in South Africa, and the greatest test of all was in his own time, and he was glad now to be able to pay a personal visit to the land whence so many brave men went to uphold the Empire's name.

The Prince paid a tribute to the work of the women during the war, and offered condolences to all people who mourned the loss of dear ones through the war. He was greatly struck by the systematic way in which New Zealand trained its children to become good citizens of the Empire. The late war had resulted in hard times for many people, but even more difficult times were with tis now. A new epoch in the history of the world had arrived, and the responsibilities of the British Empire were greater than ever before. The British peoples, however, he believed, were recovering from the war effects more quickly than other nations, and enjoyed a measure of well-being still denied to the majority of some of the peoples of Europe. _ Unrest prevailed to some extent in British countries, but this could be overcome if we showed the steadiness and fairness, which marked our conduct in the war. We must remember the eyes of the world were upon us, and settle our disputes with comaion-sense and fairness to all, not letting local controversies affect our common devotion to British justice and the freedom'and unity of the'great Empire which our hands made.

The Prince's speech occupied a quarter of an hour, and was frequently interrupt ed by applause and cheers. The Prjnee attended a military review at Xewtown Park in the afternoon, and to-night he is the guest of the Governor-General at a ball given in his honor at Government House.