A STATE LUNCHEON.

Wairarapa Age, 9 March 1927, Page 5

A STATE LUNCHEON.

ROYAL VISIT FESTIVITIES AT WELLINGTON.

DUKE AND DUCHESS OF YORK ENTERTAINED. A WORD TO THE CHILDREN. . There was a big assemblage at the Wellington Town Hall yesterday when the Duke and Duchess of York were entertained at a State luncheon. The company included members .of tho Royal Party, Ministers of the Crown and their ladies, and leading representatives of all sections of the community.

In the course of the speech in which he proposed the health of “Our Royal Guests,” the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) said: 11 Since the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses in Auckland a fortnight ago they have met with a spontaneous and enthusiastic welcome from both our races throughout their travels in the North Island. Our Maori people have vied with their pakeha brothers in the warmth and heartiness of the greetings which have been extended to Their Royal Highnesses. I feel sure that the splendid demonstration at Rotorua •will long live in their memories. It was a striking proof of the loyalty and attachment to the 'Crown which forms so marked a characteristic of the Native race in New Zealand (Applause). In an Empire so widely spread, whose different portions are largely united by ties of sentiment and common institutions of government the personal touch counts for a very great deal. For this reason we specially welcome our Royal visitors to our shores. It is the communication of this personal touch which helps so much to strengthen the bonds of loyalty to tho Crown, and to unite our citizens in a spirit of mutual goodwill and understanding. “It is well known to you that our Royal Guest, apart from his many other activities, takes a deep personal and practical interest in the life and well-being of the people of the Empire, and, particularly, in the industrial life of the nations. (Applause). “I am quite sure you will all agree with me when I say that Her Royal Highness is well known to us all, and, apart from her own personality, her deep interest in the social welfare of the people, of our Empire has endeared her to our hearts. No doubt had they consulted their own personal interests, they would have preferred to spend more of a holiday in the tourist re--sorts of New Zealand, but they willingly complied with the eager desire of the people that they should visit as many cities as possible. “Ono of the most pleasing features of the Royal Visit has been the kindly interest takUn by Their Royal Highnesses in the children, who have everywhere gathered so enthusiastically to greet them.” (Applause). THE DUKE’S SPEECH. In his reply, the Duke of York spoke of tho interest and pleasure with which tho Duchess and himself had viewed this country, and congratulated the white and Maori inhabitants of the Dominion on the happy relations exisiting between them. He stated also that they had been deeply impressed by the wonderful resources of the country. “Wherever we have gone,” the Duke continued, “we have been struck by the sturdy appearance and happy faces of the children. The gatherings of children in every city and town we have visited will remain one of the happiest memories of our tour. If we can judge by the appearance of these future citizens of New Zealand I think we can safely say that the prosperity of the Dominion is assured. I will give you an old proverb in a new form: 4 Take care of the .children and the country will take care of itself.’ (Applause). “I have spoken of your advantages. No doubt you have your difficulties, but if you meet them in tho same courageous spirit as the early pioneers, there can be no doubt that you will successfully surmount them. We, too, in the Old Country have our difficulties—very great and serious difficulties—during the years since the war, but I should like here to say that the Mother Country is not finished yet, and that we are determined to win through in these difficult years of peace just as we did in the dark years of war. (Applause)l feel certain that the turn of the tide has come and that a new period of prosperity is beginning for the Old Country, in which I trust that New Zealand and all parts of the Empire will share. For we can none of us live by ourselves, and it is only by increased trade between all parts of the Empire, only by our all helping and assisting one another, that we can solve the problems of unemployment and other problems which are at present weighing upon us. j “Once again, oh behalf of the Duchess and myself, I desire to thank you for your welcome to us here and the overwhelming kindness we have everywhere received. We are deeply grateful to the New Zealand Government, and to you, Mr. Coates, personally for the arrangements you have made for our comfort and enjoyment. We shall never forget tho wonderful time we have had in the Dominion, and we thank you all from the bottom of cur hearts. (Loud applause).