THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1927. THE ROYAL VISIT.

Wairarapa Age, 23 February 1927, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1927. THE ROYAL VISIT.

New Zealanders find themselves heartily of one mind in extending a loyal and enthusiastic welcome to the Duke and Duchess of York, and there is no need to hunt about for an explanation of this satisfactory state of affairs. Here and in other Dominions it is recognised and understood that the Monarchy serves an invaluable purposein linking firmly an Empire that otherwise is loosely £nit. Although it was only at the last Imperial Conference that new and formal emphasis was set upon the direct relationship between His Majesty the King and each of the autonomous communities into which the British nation, is divided, the fact has long been apparent that King George 'is as definitely King of New Zealand and of other Dominions as of the Mother Country itself. Some problems of Imperial relationship have yet to be solved, but where the Throne and Monarchy are concerned, no such problem exists. It is a fact none the less remarkable for being usually taken for granted that British people throughout the Empire look to the Throne as a bond and guarantee of unity and one that they are loyally determined to uphold and maintain. As individual communities, and as Empire partners, we may and do differ about many things, but there are no differences of opinion worth mentioning where the Throne and Monarchy are concerned. Through centuries of experience, the British Monarchy has evolved as an institution in which the nation has complete confidence. At the present day, every British citizen worthy of the name feels that in upholding the Throne he is upholding his own birthright. A perception of the commanding place the Throne takes as a unifying influence in the life of the Empire will in itself go far to account for the loyal welcome of which the Duke and Duchess of York are so well assured in every part of this country. To this it may be added that our Royal visitors will be welcomed heartily for their own sakes. Both the Duke and Duchess of York have ishown that they possess happy gifts of personality. Wherever they have gone they have won golden opinions in their contact with people in different parts of the Empire and in the discharge of State duties that are not infrequently exacting and onerous. It need not be doubted that in their tour of Now Zealand they will inspire personal liking as well as the tribute of loyalty to which, they are entitled as representatives of the King.