Has Complete Faith In New Zealand

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31542, 2 December 1967, Page 42

Has Complete Faith In New Zealand

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, December 1.

Sir Arthur Porritt today declared his complete faith in New Zealand and her ability to overcome her economic difficulties.

“Everything in this lovely country, with all its natural assets, everything in this sturdy people, with their national vigorous character, surely ensure this ultimate result,” the new Gov-ernor-General said at the swearing-in ceremony at Parliament House.

‘The interest of the next few years lies in the method of achieving that result—a result which may well lead to an even greater degree of national entity than previously acquired. "I believe fervently that this can be done while strengthening the love of, and loyalty to, the home country, which are so much of our previous heritage.” Sir Arthur Porritt said it was not unfitting that a New Zealander should be accepting the Vice-Regal responsibility in his own country when that country was facing somewhat difficult times.

To both it was a challenge.

Sir Arthur Porritt said he returned to his native land after 45 years with feelings of nostalgia and emotion. “It has been my honour and privilege over the last 30 years to serve in a personal capacity our beloved Queen and her father and mother before her. But never in my wildest dreams did 1 envisage this extension of service, allowing me to become Her Majesty’s own representative in the country of my birth.

“Queen’s Men”

‘To us in this country, the monarch is the keystone in bur arch of national faith; to us the Crpwn is more than a symbol. It unites personal regard and warm affection, probably even more than in the days of the Empire. ‘The Queen is that dynamic, individual factor which ensures a common unity in a conglomerate Commonwealth. ‘To us in New Zealand, physical chains, bonds, ties

and links, as such, are really unnecessary. We are born and bred Queen’s men—and in our short, but robust history we have shown how proud we are of this.” The new Governor-General said of the future: “A new world is developing in the Pacific area—a stimulating, exciting world full of enormous possibility. That New Zealand’s part in forming this

new world is destined to be a major one, I have no doubt. He added: “I am sure 1 need not say my wife and I are looking forward enormously to being with you. . . . To us life has been more than mere existence, and the living of it has been a fine adventure founded on happiness, trust and friendship. These gifts we want to share wholeheartedly with you.”