RUMOURS DENIED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1939, Page 5

RUMOURS DENIED

ROYAL VISIT TO CANADA RECEPTION PLANS CHANGED BY DELAYS. TIME OF LINER’S ARRIVAL UNCERTAIN. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. QUEBEC, May 15. Bulletins posted tonight, state that the liner Empress of Australia, on which the King and Queen are travelling to Canada., may arrive on Wednesday morning, but this is regarded as doubtful. Ottawa reports that the Dominion Government has decided to withhold further announcements concerning changes in the Royal tour till it is more definitely established when the liner will reach Quebec. There has been talk that their Majesties’ visit to Ottawa would be reduced by two days, but there is no confirmation of this. Since all changes must be wirelessed to their Majesties for their approval a final decision is unlikely to be made before tomorrow. The special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press here says that the staff of the hotel Chateau Frontenac tonight dined on choice trout intended for their Majesties and 250 guests at the official luncheon tomorrow, while orders were hurriedly telegraphed to secure a fresh supply of Canadian delicacies. Thousands of snow birds, however, are safe on ice. These migratory birds, the size of sparrows, can only be secured in April. They were to be the highlight of the luncheon. Four breasts embalmed in jelly are required for each portion. The hotels here are contented, however, as Quebec is jammed with waiting visitors. Rumours are running wild, but it is officially denied that the delay is due either to the King’s illness, the international situation, or the presence of a submarine off the coast. The latter rumour gained currency because of the operations of minesweepers off the coast of Nova Scotia since a foreign submarine was reported off .the mouth of Halifax harbour three weeks ago. CLEAR OF ICE EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA NEARING QUEBEC. NOW EXPECTED TO ANCHOR AT MIDNIGHT. (Received This Day, 9 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 15. It is officially announced that at 8 a.m. (Eastern standard time), the Empress of Australia was 20 miles eastward of Gallantry Head. The liner was proceeding under forced draught at 19 knots, and was expected to anchor at midnight on Tuesday. The liner wirelessed at 9 a.m. that she was clear of the icefield and maintaining full speed. The Canadian Press representative aboard the Empress of Australia says the sailors said the ice conditions were the worst within their memory. It was felt that under the hazardous conditions the caution of Captain Meikle, the commander of the ship, was well justified. On Sunday afternoon a member of the Royal party invited the Queen to the upper deck to see one of the larger floes. The Queen replied: “No thanks, it is so nice and warm in this lounge. Anyway I am beginning to think one ice floe looks very much like another.”

KING OF CANADA OBJECT LESSON IN IMPERIAL RELATIONS. PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT POSTPONED. (Received This Day, 9.25 a.m.) QUEBEC, May 15. The King’s presence in Canada will throw into bold relief the positions of the nations of the British Commonwealth in relation to one another, particularly their equality of status, says the special correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. All State acts during the Royal visit will disclose that the King holds exactly the same relationship to the Dominion parliaments and Dominion Ministers as he holds to the Parliament Ministers of the United Kingdom. This is in accordance with the Statute of Westminster, under which Great Britain and the Dominions are defined as autonomous communities within the Empire, in no way subordinate to one another, though united by common allegiance to the Crown and fieely associated as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. From the moment his Majesty sets his foot on Canadian soil, to be met by the entire Cabinet, his position as King of Canada, acting with respect to Canadian affairs upon the advice of his responsible Canadian Ministers, will be made apparent. His Majesty has not brought a Minister from the United Kingdom and he will be accompanied throughout his tour by the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Mackenzie King, who will act as Minister in Attendance in the full constitutional sense. A proposal that the Canadian Cabinet should share this honour was dropped because in the Canadian Government the Prime Minister is also Secretary for External Affairs and. in view of the international situation, it is essential that the King should be kept in the closest contact with developments abroad from Whitehall. It will be Mr Mackenzie King’s duty to see that important dispatches are communicated to his Majesty and an opportunity given to discuss them. Parliament is unable to complete its business in time to allow his Majesty to prorogue it. This would have been the first time the King had performed this Royal function outside Westminster. However, while at Ottawa, his Majesty may attend a sitting of the Senate and give the Royal assent to certain Bills. ROYAL REGRETS AT INCONVENIENCE CAUSED. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) QUEBEC. May 15. The Canadian Press representative aboard the Empress of Australia states that their Majesties expressed sympathy with officials and citizens inconvenienced by the liner's delay. The Queen, leaning on a rail in the promenade deck, said: < "The people I am sorry for are those who have been making plans to see us in Canada and perhaps have travelled miles to do so.”

PREPARATIONS IN U.S.A. (Received This Day, 11.0 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 15. The “Daily News” Washington correspondent states that there has been very little in the way of blandishments or flattering artifice at the British Embassy as preparations are made for the arrival of their Majesties. The correspondent criticised the social arrangements for the visit.