LONG TERM UNLIKELY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 November 1943, Page 3

LONG TERM UNLIKELY

APPOINTMENT OF DUKE OF GLOUCESTER AS GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA. DUCHESS TO ACCOMPANY HER HUSBAND. (Special Australian Correspondent.) RUGBY, November 15. Till the present moment, it would have been impossible to appoint the Duke of Gloucester to the post _of Governor-General of Australia, because under the Regency Act he being the next person of full age in succession to the Throne, would have had to act as Regent in the event of the King's death. With Princess Elizabeth attaining her majority in April, 1944, this difficulty automatically disappears and with Lord Gowrie's term extended there will be no occasion for the Duke to leave Britain before the Princess cdmes of age. It is understood that no definite term is attached to the Duke’s appointment, but it is unlikely that the appointment will extend over a very long period. The Duchess of Gloucester and their son, Prince William, who will be two next month, will accompany the Duke. Australia will find the Duchess a charming and unassuming woman, though perhaps one of the most retiring members of the Royal Family. The “Times,” in a leading article, says that 'unwearying as the Duke of Gloucester has been in the discharge of the manifold duties of Royalty in England, and much as he and the Duchess will be missed, there is no worthier task to which a prince of the blood can be called than that of presiding over the Government of one of the great Dominions. If events follow the generally expected course, his arrival may coincide with, or be closely followed by, the transfer to the Pacific Ocean of the centre of strategic interest in the world war.’lt will fall to him to represent the King at a time when the continent which Australians so resolutely defended in very anxious days is made a base for an irresistible forward sweep by the United Nations across the ocean. “He may reasonably anticipate being still in Canberra when Japanese usurpation is overthrown throughout the Far East and while a better order is taking shape in the Southern Hemisphere. Victorious Australia will have greater power in this order and will bear heavier responsibilities than ever before. The good wishes of the Empire will accompany the new govern-or-general on his mission.”