A HEARTY WELCOME

Wairarapa Age, 18 February 1927, Page 5

A HEARTY WELCOME

RENOWN ARRIVES AT SUVA.

LOYAL ADDRESSES. DUKE OF YORK ON EMPIRE ARMS. (Received Thursday, 5.5 p.m.). SUVA, February 17. Punctual as usual, the Renown anchored in the picturesque harbour of Suva at two this afternoon, escorted thereto by three or four typical Sydney dinghies, motor boats, and a whole fleet of native catamarans, with their brown mat sails swelling to the favouring breeze and the crews waving and cheering in emulation of the Europeans aboard the more civilised craft.

From the sea, Suva was looking most attractive, rising from the harbour with red roofs peeping above tho tropical foliage. In tjie harbour, the ships dressed for the occasion, but the Renown neither dressed ship nor saluted, moving to her anchorage with the same effortless expedition as ever. As soon as she anchored, the Governor (Sir Eyre Hutson) and the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Seymour) went on board and were received with a full guard and all due formality, the Earl of Cavan welcoming them on behalf of tho Duke of York. The Duke and Duchess landed at three and received a tumultuous welcome from the crowds gathered on the wharf. Their Royal Highnesses were received by the Governor, Mayor, Chief Justice, members of the Executive Council, and other dignitaries, and proceeded to Government House to inspect the school children, and thereafter to a civic reception at the Town Hall and a native reception and presentation of addresses at Albert Park. GRATEFUL ISLANDERS.

The native address expressed thanks for the visit of the Royal representative of a mighty nation. They were especially grateful to the visitors for turning aside to view their small islands. The visit would remain a living memory, as were th'e visits of the King and Prince of Wales. They were grateful for the presence of the Duchess as a representative of Scotland, which had given Fiji many sons to govern and lead. They were pleased to see the Renown again as a symbol of the invincible fleet guarding tho Empire and ensuring peace. They gave an assurance that the form of government established by Britain after tl?e cession 'of islands was deeply appreciated. A benign rule preserving their interests and privileges increased their knowledge and wealth. They prayed the Duke of York to convey to the King their assurance of .unswerving loyalty and thanks for sympathetic government. They prayed for the prosperity, happiness and long life of their Royal visitors. The Duke of York expressed thanks on behalf of the Duchess and himself and said he would not fail to convey to his father the message of loyalty and gratitude. The Duchess had been especially touched by the reference to Scotland. He rejoiced to hear that the memory of tho visits of the King and Prince of Wales was still fresh. They had told of happy times spent in Fiji and a loyal reception. The welfare of native subjects in all his Dominions was ever near to the heart of the King and all the King’s house. f f Continue to work with those the King sets oyer you to guard your interests, and all will be well for you and your descendants. I pray you will continue to flourish and prosper” tho Duke of York concluded. A HERITAGE IN TRUST.

An address from, the municipality tendered a welcome to Their Royal Highnesses with assurance of loyalty. It referred to the King’s visit in 1881 and that of the Prince of Wales in 1920 and acknowledged tho further honour of the present visit to the colony of which it was hoped they would errry* away happy recollections. The Duke of York, in replying, sincerely thanked the municipality for its expressions of loyalty. He deeply appreciated the welcome. It was a pleasure to renew the personal ties of friendship established, in tho past by his father and brother, who* retained the happiest memories of times spent in Fiji. He felt that such a visit could not fail to knit closer the bonds between the Mother Country and distant portions of the Empire which he assured them were not forgotten at Home. “We realise to the full that the Empire is our greatest heritage, something infinitely precious which we hold in trust from our forefathers for our children,” said His Royal Highness. “We know, too, if we are to keep that heritage, it is our duty to learn and understand—to help each other. Then, united under one flag, owing allegiance to one Sovereign, w© may by co-operat-ing prove worthy of the great trust handed down to us.” He concluded by cordially wishing happiness and prosperity to all.—(A. and N.Z.)