OATH OF OFFICE

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 169, 13 April 1935, Page 8

OATH OF OFFICE

New Governor-General Sworn In A STIRRING WELCOME Wellington Acclaims Lord Galway Lord Galway took the Oath of office as Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of New Zealand and its dependencies shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon at Parliament House. The ceremony was a stirring pageant of friendliness and national loyalty. Even a blustering southerly wind and a threat of rain failed to chill the enthusiasm of a splendid assemblage of the country’s representatives and Wellington citizens. A ripple of cheers from Lambton Quay to a dais at the main entrance to Parliament House heralded the approach of the Governor-General-desig-nate, Lord Galway, and Lady Galway, who were preceded in a car by their family, all costumed cosily in horizonblue coats, and obviously eager, as children are, to take part in their first ceremonial outing in a strange land. The cheering increased as Lord and Lady Galway reached the platform. From the beginning of the ceremony a great gathering of people demonstrated a friendly Interest and a spontaneity of kindly welcome. A guard of honour provided by the General Headquarters Training Depot was mounted in front of the dais. The precision of its movements won admiration. It was inspected by Lord Galway, a resplendent figure in the uniform of his office, who was accompanied by two A.D.C.’s, the General Officer Commanding the Ntw Zealand Military Forces, General Sir William Sinclair-Burgess, and the Senior Naval Officer, Rear-Admiral Burges Watson. The Band of the First Battalion (Wellington Regiment) was in attendance. Returned soldiers and South African war veterans also paraded. Commission of Appointment. After Lord and Lady Galway and .suite had taken their places on the dais the King’s Commission of Appointment of his Excellency as GovernorGeneral and Commander-in-chief of the Dominion of New Zealand and its dependencies was read by the actingClerk of the Executive Council, Mr. A. W. Mulligan. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice, Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Myers, who, since the depar-ture-of Lord Bledisioe, had acted as Administrator of the Government. In a firm, resonant voice Lord Galway took the oath. Immediately upon completion of this formal ceremony the guard of honour gave a Royal salute, and 19 guns were fired at -Fort Jerningham by members of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery. Welcome from Government and People. Speaking on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, the acting-Prime Minister, Rt. lion. J. G. Coates, addressed his Excellency as follows:— “I extend to you and to her Excellency a very warm welcome to this Dominion, and in thus welcoming you I assure your Excellency of our earnest desire that your stay in our midst may be a very happy one for yourselves and for all members of your family. “There is no portion of the British Empire in which there is a stronger feeling of affection and loyalty to the Crown and to their Majesties personally than in New Zealand, while from the early days of settlement the people of this country have been bound to the Motherland by the closest ties of kinship and sentiment. These bonds of Empire have been strengthened by the distinguished people whom his Majesty the King has been pleased to appoint to represent him in this Dominion. Your Excellency’s predecessors have fully maintained the dignity and authority of their high office, and have won the affection and esteem of people of all shades of opinion throughout the country. Our knowledge of your Excellency’s distinguished career and of the personality of yourself and of Lady Galway leaves no doubt in our minds that your appointment will be a source of honour to tins Dominion. “New Zealand lias not escaped from the effects of the economic depression which has afflicted the world during the past few years. We should have wished that conditions here might have been more prosperous on your Excellency’s arrival than they are to-day. We feel, however, that New Zealand is now emerging from the worst of the depression and that file improvement already in evidence will be maintained and accelerated. Botli Races Join in Welcome. "In welcoming your Excellency and Lady Galway to our midst, I speak on behalf of both the races which are helping to mould our national life. In the future, as in the past, Maori and pakeha will work together, bound by a common loyalty and a common love of country and of Empire. "It has always been a matter ef gratification to our brothers and sisters of the Maori race that his Majesty’s representatives in New Zealand have been pleased to accept their hospitality and friendship and have taken pleasure iu their art and traditions. ’They welcome your Excellency and Lady Galway in the same spirit and in the desire that they may in the same way add to the enjoyment of your stay among us. “Maori and pakeha join together in hoping that your sojourn witli ns will give you both pleasure and satisfaction, and in expressing their confidence that your Excellency’s term of office will be of lasting benefit to the people of New Zealand and to the British Commonwealth of Nations.” Prime Minister’s Message.

Tlie following radio message from file Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, who is well on his way to London, via Canada, was read by Mr. Coates: —

“I regret that I am unable to be pres-

ent personally at the induction of Lord Galway as Governor-General and to join with the citizens of Wellington in extending to their Excellencies a most cordial welcome to New Zealand. I desire to take this opportunity, however, of tendering by radiograin an expression of the great pleasure it gives me to know of their safe arrival in the Dominion and to assure them of our good wishes for their welfare during their stay in our midst. They may be quite certain of a very hearty reception not only in the Capital City but also iu every other part of the country. “New Zealand has indeed been fortunate in the selection of such a distinguished personage as Lord Galway as the Sovereign’s representative, and I confidently expect his term of office to be equally successful with those of his predecessors The strong British sentiment which exists among the people of New Zealand will, I feel sure, in some measure compensate their Excellencies for the ties they have temporarily severed and ensure their feeling thoroughly at home among us. His Excellency will find in this Britain of the South a strong and unswerving loyalty to his Majesty the King. . I sincerely trust that their Excellencies and their family will enjoy itheir sojourn in New Zealand and that they will find the climate and surroundings congenial to their health and happiness.” Lord Galway’s Reply. His Excellency, whose voice is pleasant, with a great “carrying” range, replied as follows: — “I must thank Mr. Coates for his most charming speech of welcome to Lady Galway and myself on our arrival in New Zealand to take over this responsible position. It is a matter of great regret to me that I have not had the opportunity of seeing Mr. Forbes, the Prime Minister, for whose cordial message of goodwill I am, however, most grateful. But as you all know he is at this moment on his way to London. I have no doubt that he will have a warm welcome there, as will also Mr. Coates, whom I *am delighted to have met before his departure from Wellington this evening. Neither is a stranger to London, and the link between the two capitals is strong indeed. The reason for their visit to England is twofold; first of all, to take part in the celebration of his Majesty’s silver jubilee, and secondly to join in discussion in conference with Prime Ministers of other Dominions and with the Government of the United Kingdom for promoting policies designed to improve trade and strengthen Imperial ties. Loyalty to the Throne. “At this time all eyes are turned to London by countless millions of the King’s subjects, eager to tender to his Majesty their loyal congratulations on the happy occasion which is about to be celebrated. The Crown is the symbol of the unity of the Empire, and we are indeed thankful to Divine providence that for 25 years of varied joy and sorrow, .danger and success, we have been blessed by the beneficent rule of an ideal King and Queen. “Before my departure from England their Majesties commanded me to convey to the people of New Zealand their most sincere good wishes and to assure them that they never forget the happy time which they spent in this country some 34 years ago. The interest of their Majesties in everything connected with this country is unabated, and I was commanded to keep the King constantly informed of tlie progress of events here. His Majesty made special mention of his loyal and warm-hearted subjects the Maori people, in wnose welfare he has the deepest interest. “A further link between tlie Crown and the Dominion has been forged by the recent visit of his Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, and I am indeed sorry that it did not fall to iny lot to assist in his entertainment. On all sides I hear of the outstanding success of his mission, and of the loyalty and enthusiasm with -which he was received everywhere.

Encouraging Welcome.

The warmth of your welcome has been most impressive. By wireless, while still on my way, messages of welcome came to us, and. on landing further expressions of goodwill met us on ail sides. This is a great encouragement at ■a time when I feel rather overwhelmed •with responsibility in following she footsteps of so many illustrious predecessors. Lord Jellicoe, one of the most eminent figures in the war, and Sir Charles Fergusson, a most distinguished general, were followed by Lord Bledisioe, one of the greatest authorities on agriculture iu England. To follow such men is difficult, and I must crave your sympathetic indulgence while I try to learn New Zealand’s problems and do what I can to help in their solution. Difficult times have been experienced in the last few years —you are not alone in this—but I trust that the worst is over, and I look to the future with confidence that with determination and courage these hard times will soon be a thing of the past. “We have come to make our home among you for five years—to share with you your joys and sorrows, to sympathise with, and endeavour to assist, you in your difficulties, to applaud your courage, and to do our utmost to live up to the high ideals of this important office.” At tlie conclusion of the ceremony his Excellency the Governor-General issued a formal proclamation. Lord Galway inspected the companies of returned soldiers and veterans, and showed a kindly interest in the men. When their Excellencies and family left Parliament grounds for Government House, tlie assemblage, delighted with first impressions, cheered as if cheering friends. GOVERNMENT HOUSE CEREMONIAL Flag For Motor-cars Yesterday the following statement was issued from Government House:— “A cabled statement from London which recently appeared in the New Zealand Press made it appear that, the Governor-General (Viscount Galway) proposed to maintain considerable ‘state’ during his period of office. The statement was made without his Excellency’s knowledge or consent, and is without foundation. But as was the case with his predecessors, it is incumbent upon Lord Galway to preserve the prescribed forms of ceremonial and dignity which his Majesty expects his representatives to observe. “It will have been noticed that on thn motor-cars of the Governor-General a new flag with the Royal Badge of the crown and lion on a blue background Is being flown. The King has ex,pressed his wish that this flag should be adopted by his representatives, and in obedience to his Majesty’s command it will henceforth be used by the Governor-General when travelling by motor-car.”