Sir Keith now K. G.

Press, 24 April 1980, Page 2

Sir Keith now K. G.

PA - Wellington The Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) yesterday expressed his “personal delight” and that of the Government on the appointment of the Governor-General (Sir Keith Holyoake), as a Knight of the Garter. “It is a great honour for Sir Keith,” Mr Muldoon said. “It recognises Sir Keith’s extraordinary lifetime of service to New Zealand, the Commonwealth and the Crown as a member of Par liament from 1932 to 1938 and from 1943 to 1977; a Minister of the Crown from 1949 to 1957 and from 1975 to 1977; as Prime Minister

in 1957 and from 1960 to 1972; and, lately as the Queen’s personal representative.

Sir Keith was the first resident New Zealander to receive the Garter and the first Commonwealth former Prime Minister to be so honoured.

A New Zealander, Lord Elworthy, a former Constable of Windsor Castle, was made a Knight of the Garter in 1977.

“Appointments to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the senior of all orders of chivalry, which are limited to 25 knights, are very much the exclusive gift of the Queen,” Mr

Muldoon said. “It is therefore a signal honour for New Zealand that Her Majesty should have chosen Sir Keith to be a knight,” Mr Muldoon said.

Sir Keith was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1954. appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in .1963, and created a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1970.

Field Marshal Sir Rich* ard Hull, an infantry commander during World War II and a former Chief of the British General Staff, has also been made a Knight of the Garter.