BRITISH CITIZENSHIP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 128, 12 March 1935, Page 6

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP

BLESSING TO THE DOMINION.

GOODWILL IN THE LEGISLATURE LORD 'BLEDISLOE’S TRIBUTE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In his speech at the complimentary farewell luncheon at Parliament buildings, Lord Bledislo© spoke the friendliness in which members of the Legislature and himself had travelled together in the last few years through a period of tribulation. He congratulated both Houses on the dignity and decorum which characterised their proceedings. He was given to understand by experience and observant world travellers that in no Parliament in the Empire were these features more marked, and certainly nowhere was the spirit of good fellowship and personal friendliness among political, opponents more effectively maintained.

Referring to the coming Centenary celebrations five years hence, his Excellency expressed the hope that he and Lady Bledisloe would be visitors. He hoped the celebration would be made a great national event.

“Let the shades of Hobson and Gibbon Wakefield shake hands in eternal friendship as they watch the proceedings, whether at Waitangi or elsewhere, with Godlev and Cargill as sympathetic comrades, and amid the plaudits of Waaha Nene, Hone H'eke, Te Rauparaha, Wiremu Tamihana, and other redoubtable Maori chiefs—all convinced, with the lapse of time, of the advantages of their ancient race of British, citizenship and protection.”