The Press FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1935. Lord and Lady Bledisloe

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21423, 15 March 1935, Page 10

The Press FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1935. Lord and Lady Bledisloe

To-day Lord and Lady Bledisloe will leave for England after a five years residence among the people of New Zealand. "On arrival in il this city five years ago," says Lord Bledisloe in a speech in Wellington reported in " The Press " this morning, " I gave you one undertaking 'only, viz., that we would do our ■' best to identify ourselves with your "lives and interests." The new Governor-General was well qualified by his training, by his political experience, and by his practical interest in farming to carry out the task he had set himself. Yet these qualities alone could not have won for himself and Lady Bledisloe the very deep affection in which they arc held by all classes and interests in the community. The real explanation of that affection is to be found in Lord Bledisloe's unflagging energy, iin his naturally enquiring mind, in 'his capacity to sympathise and understand, and, above all, in his gift for leadership. It may seem strange, and to some even slightly indiscreet, to talk of leadership in a Governor-General, since his Majesty's representatives in the Dominions are required to preserve a strict neutrality in all questions which come within the sphere of] party politics. But leadership does not necessarily involve guidance in the practical affairs of the moment. It is possible, and Lord and Lady Bledisloe knew the secret, to lead a nation by example rather than by specific precepts, to emphasise and strengthen national solidarity by giving it a point of focus which is removed from factional strife. The economic misfortunes of the last few years Jiave imposed a very severe strain on the steadiness and discipline of the New Zealand people, and that they have come through the ordeal so well is due in a large measure to Lord Bledisloe's capacity for emphasising the unity that underlies party and sectional conflicts. To enumerate Lord Bledisloe's more specific services to New Zealand would be difficult, for his knowledge of industrial, educational, and social problems was so wide that he seldom discussed a subject of public interest without offering useful advice or suggesting a new line of thought. Two of his more special interests may, however, be mentioned. He has done perhaps more than anyone in the history of New Zealand to encourage the view that farming is a skilled profession and that the prosperity of farmers depends more than anything Cze on their willingness and ability to enlist the aid of scientists. Lord Bledisloe's other special interest was in the voluntary effort by the community to lessen the hardships of the unemployed. Probably no country in the world has done more for' its unemployed through private organisations; and for this the example set by Lord and Lady Bledisloe must be in part responsible. Only two thoughts mitigate the sadness of the present farewell. One is that Lord and Lady Bledisloe leave a young nation happier, more prosperous, and more confident of the future than it was five years ago. The other is that they will return before very long.