VICE-ROYALTY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18220, 3 November 1924, Page 8

VICE-ROYALTY.

• ♦ VISCOUNT JELLICOE'S SUCCESSOR. ENTERTAINED IN LONDON. A HAPPY GATHERING. vBX CABLE—rRESS ASSOCIATION—COriRIGHT) (Al-STKALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Reecived November 2nd, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 1. Mr J. H. Thomas, speaking at the farewell dinner to Sir Charles Fer--*usson. referred to the result of the election, and declared that the verdict, having been given, must bo accepted. Not only must the King's Government be carried on, but whatever political party was in power the one paramount consideration Mas the prosperity and well-being of the Empire. When ho handed over the seals of office he would be satisfied in his own conscience that he had endeavoured to discharge his high office impartially as regards class and creed, ever keeping in mind that the British commonwealth was held together not by creed, dogma or written constitution, but by love and the bond of freedom. He deplored the announcements in the Press conveying the satisfaction in some Dominions at the defeat of the Government, adding that if there was one thing the Dominions resented it was an accusation of party bias. The foolish, blind people who did not understand that were real enemies and a danger to the British Commonwealth. The Dominions insisted, whatever their choice of government, that that choice must be accepted" by everybody, and just as the Dominions demanded that for themselves, so equally must they concede the right to others. Mr Thomas concluded what he described as his last speech as Colonial Secretary by declaring that the characteristic of the country was that they must be sports. Although tired jaded and unwell ho would not have an outsider say that a temporary political setback prevented him from being present. He took credit, amid laughter and cheers, of making what speakers declared to be the best appointment ever made in New Zealand, which was the one redeeming feature of the Government's career. He emphasised that Great Britain must send the Dominions the best men possible irrespective of party or class. Sir James Allen, in proposing the health of the guest, recalled the abortive move made in New Zealand to select its own governors, and added: "May the idea long lie dead." If there was one thing which meant more to New Zealanders than anything else it was association with the Mother Country and the other Dominions under one Crown and one flag. Sir Charles Fergusson, in responding, said he had no illusion regarding his temerity in undertaking office, and asked for the indulgence of New Zealanders in halving to learn the ropes. He feared it might be a case of a fool rushing in where admirals feared to tread. He recalled that he left New . Zealand almost exactly fifty years ago, '. while his wife was in New Zealand more ( recently, namely, twenty-five years ] since. He felt that while his youth- ] ful escapades had long passed into oh- , livion, his wife still had something to i live down. (Laughter.) He hoped his i fQTty years' soldiering would be of service to New Zealand. He wished to ( be of the fullest service to all services > in the Dominion, also in anything ap- 1 pertaining to the training of the youth ' of the country.