Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1942. A LOSS TO THE NATION.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 August 1942, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1942. A LOSS TO THE NATION.

THE death of the Duke of Kent, reported yesterday to have occurred, in a crash, with the loss of all but one iiieinbei of the crew of a flying-boat in which his Royal Highness was proceeding to Iceland on a special war mission, will be regretted sincerely in all parts of the Empire. The genuine sympathy 01. the whole nation, and not least that of members of the many thousands of families which have themselves suffered nun bereavement, will. be offered to the widowed Duchess of Kent and her children and to other members of the Royal Family in their loss.

Though handicapped to some extent, particularly in early manhood, by rather poor health, the Duke of Kent gave every indication of being animated by a strong sense of public duly. He made an excellent impression in official visits to a number of foreign countries and to South Africa and there is no doubt that had he been spared he would have assisted further to build up that relationship between the British monarchy and people which remains in these days of democratic progress one ol the most potent bonds linking the nations ol: the British Commonwealth. An announcement in 1938 that the Duke of Kent was to become Governor-General, of Australia at the end of the following year was universally welcomed and approved and although the war intervened it was hoped that his assumption of that office had been deferred only temporarily. It ’will occasion deep sorrow in Australia, and in all parts of the Empire that these hopes now cannot be realised.