THE GOVERNOR.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1611, 30 November 1912, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

AUCKLAND'S FAREWELL", SPEECH BY LORD ISLINGTON, NAVAL DEFENCE: SUGGESTED CONTERENCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Auckland, November 29. The Governor and Lady Islington wore publicly farewelled at the Town Hall to-night-by a'large and enthusiastic gather, ing. Among those present was the Primo Minister. Two addresses were presented to tho Governor, one from the citizens and one from the farming community in. Auckland province. Great enthusiasm was displayed. There was enthusiastio applauso when the Prime Minister rose to speak. Mr. Massey said that regret was felt from one end of tho country to. the other at the fact that Imperial interests mado it necessary for the Governor to sever his connection with New Zealand. To the magnificent qualities of its Vioe-Regal representatives was to be attributed very largely the fact that New Zealand was stronglyImperialistic, and so ready to respond l when the Empire called. Referring to Lord Islington's successor Mr. Massey said he was confident that Lord Liverpool would be given a genuine and hearty welcome. (Applause.) "Wo have not heard the last of Lord Islington," Mr. Massey continued. "Changes are imminent in connection, with Imperial affairs, and wjien those changes take place I venture to predict Ix>rd Islington, will play a very prominent part •in connection with them. It will be it good thing for tho nations of tho South Pacifio that wo shall have at tho Councils of the Empire a gentleman who understands and who will to' well able to represent us." An enthusiastio demonstration was made when the Governor.rose to respond. He said the gathering constituted i a most gratifying and pleasant experience for himself and Lady Islington. Ostensibly people had gathered to wish them happiness and prosperity, and Lady Islington and he in. all sincerity desired to express those sentiments to the people. _ He expressed appreciation of the complimentary sentiments expressed in the address. He thanked the Prime Minister for the cordial manner in. which he had spoken, and for the generous expressions he had used in regard to his work during the period in whioh he had been Governor. During his term he had tried, to the best of his ability, to introduce all his energy into his work, and in it he had been assisted to an invaluable extent by the constant and devoted co-operation of Lady Islington. (Applause.) Lord_ Islington said, though it had its constitutional limitations, the position of Governor had poteni tialities and possibilities of the widest possible Imperial value. The progress of a nation must depend upon the character of its own people, and to support that principle was the great work of a Governor. In expressing his appreciation of the address from the farmers, Lord Islington spoke of the tremendous importance of the agricultural industry in. New Zealand. Lord Islington congratulated the country on the establishment of a system of military training, especially jthe commanding officers and men to whoso efforts its successful inauguration was due. In his opinion, the establishment of thesystem was the surest guarantee of ■ peaco for the country from external disturbance. (Applause.) Speaking of the graver problem of naval defence, ho mentioned the two i courses open to New Zealand—to continue its' money contribution to the British Navy, or to assist in maintaining a fleet in the South Pacific. Ho could not, by the smallest limit, suggest his opinion on this matter, but he expressed the hopo that in the course of a very few months a_ conference would bo held in some suitable place of responsible (representatives of New Zealand,' Australia, Canada, • and Groat Britain, to arrive at some decision that would be acceptable to the component parts of tho Empire.