MANY HAPPY DAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1922, Page 5

MANY HAPPY DAYS.

PRINCE IN NEW ZEALAND. TRIBUTE TO SIR F. BELL. FUNCTION IN LONDON. By Telegraph.—-Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Oct. 14, 12.50 a.m. London, Oct. 13. Sir James and Lady Allen tendered a reception to a thousand members of the Imperial Institute, including several Imperial Ministers, many New Zealanders, High Commissioners and Agents-General. The Prince of Wales presented Sir Francis Bell with a casket commemorating his ten years’ service as Leader of the Legislative Council. The Prince, who received a hearty ovation, recalled his grandfather’s interest in the Imperial Institute, which he hoped would be of the greatest assistance to all the Dominions. “The gathering,” said the Prince, “recalls very pleasantly the many happy days J spent in New Zealand during my Dominions’ tour, days which I can never forget. It is a pleasure to honor Sir Francis Bell, to whom I am specially grateful, because he organised the splendid month I spent in New Zealand.” The Prince of Wales referred appreciatively to the outstanding achievements of Sir Francis Bell’s legal and political career, remarking that it was a wonderful record of public service. He concluded by wishing Sir Francis Bell a pleasant holiday. Sir Francis Bel!, replying, commended the patriotism of the Legislative Council in war time, sinking partisanship and co-op-erating in the interests of New Zealand and the Empire, and this non-partisanship was continuing during the post-war reconstruction. He pointed out the success of the repatriation scheme for soldiers, who had already repaid half of the monetary advances, while the failures amounted only to 2 per cent. He eulogised the Prince of Wales’ services to the Empire, and emphasised New Zealand’s loyalty to the Crown and its devotion and respect for the Royal House, which they claimed was as much theirs as England's.