MESSAGE FROM KING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 24, 8 November 1939, Page 6

MESSAGE FROM KING.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S SPEECH. HERITAGE FROM PIONEERS. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, This Day. Formally declaring the Centennial Exhibition open this afternoon, the Governor-General read a message received yesterday from the King: “I am glad to hear that the Exhibition in connection with New Zealand’s centenary will be opened at Wellington to-morrow, and I send my best wishes for its success. —(Signed) George R. 1.”

Lord Galway said that naturally at a time like this our thoughts go back to the commencement of the era covered by the Exhibition. He outlined the circumstances under which New Zealand became a British Colony, adding: “Most fortunately for New Zealand, most of the emigrants who arrived in the country were men and women of good physique, character and foresight—people of the best British colonising type. We cannot help thinking of their courage and determination — the long, hazardous voyage from the Mother Country, endless discomforts, and no real knowledge of how they would find things on arrival. Transport was primitive and the warlike natives were as yet anything but friendly in many parts of the country, and settlers were necessarily thrown on their own resources. The greater part of the country consisted of heavy bush, which had to be cut and burned before effective use could bo made of the land, but those pioneers had spirit and courage, and it is to their efforts mainly that much of the progress already achieved is due.”

After tracing the development of New Zealand in trade and population, Lord Galway referred to the spirit of courage displayed by the New Zealand troops in the South African and Great Wars, showing the qualities of the early settlers had been inherited by their descendants.

“So, too, during the present war wo are sure that when called upon to do so the present generation will show the same sense of courage, loyalty and patriotism.”

The Hon, D. G. Sullivan (as president of the Exhibition) read a, cablegram from Mr Peter Fraser, Mr Anthony Eden (Secretary of State for the Dominions), Mr Robert Hudson (Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade), and the Governor of Fiji, convoying best wishes for success.

Mr Eden’s message added : “Although the opening comes at a moment of storm and stress in the world, the Exhibition will fitly commemorate the history of 100 years of peaceful effort and strenuous progress which have seen the building up of a strong, vigorous New Zealand, ready to play her part in war as in peace.’’