GOVERNOR-GENERAL SWORN IN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 128, 24 February 1941, Page 8

GOVERNOR-GENERAL SWORN IN

Marshal Of The Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall In Capital

WELLINGTON’S WARM WELCOME An Impressive Ceremony At Parliament Buildings

At an impressive ceremony on the steps of Parliament Buildings, Wellington, on Saturday morning Marshal of the Royal Air I'orce Sir Cyril Newall was sworn in as Governor-General and Commandcr-in-Chief of the Dominion. A distinguished company of representatives of many interests in the State joined a large assemblage of tne public in extending to him a warm welcome to the nation’s capital. Former Chief of the Air Staff, London, and chiefly responsible for building the Royal Air Force into the powerful offensive and defensive weapon it is today. Sir Cyril Newall is the first representative of that service to become New Zealand’s Governor-General. He wore the uniform of Marshal of the Royal Air Force. The day was brilliantly fine and hot, with a light breeze, and in the picturesque setting of Parliament Buildings the scene was one of some splendour.

The Governor-General Designate, Lady Newall and the members of their family and party arrived at Wellington shortly before 9 a.m. by special train from Auckland. The Administrator, Sir Michael Myers, and the Clerk of the Executive Council boarded the train and welcomed them. They were followed at 9 o’clock by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser.

When Sir Cyril and Lady Newall left the train they were greeted with a Royal Salute by a guard of honour from the Army School, Trentham, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, accompanied by the Air Force Band. Sir Cyril and the Administrator inspected the guard. Lady .Myers, Mrs. Fraser, Ministers of the Crown, the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee, the High Commissioner for Canada, Dr. W. A. Riddell, members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives and the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Services, aud their wives, wore presented. Wreath Laid at Memorial. The official party then left for the Town Hall and at. the Citizens’ War Memorial in Bowen Street Sir Cyril laid a wreath as one of his first acts in the capital, and met representatives of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. At the Town Hall the Prime Minister introduced the mayor, Mr. Hislop, and Mrs. Hislop. City councillors, their wives and the chief council officers were presented. Sir Cyril then drove to Government House. Au air escort of 20 planes in formation roared, overhead as the official party, preceded by a mounted police escort, left Government House at 10.50 a.m. for Parliament Buildings, travelling via Cambridge Terrace, Courtenay Place, Manners Street, Willis Street and Lambton Quay. They were warmly greeted by crowds along the route. In Parliament Grounds at 11 o'clock they were received by a guard of honour commanded by Captain G. F. MacCulloch, comprising 50 men from the Army School and 50 from the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The Royal Salute, accompanied by the Air Force Band, was given as Sir Cyril stepped from his car. Guard of Honour Inspected. The Governor-General designate, accompanied toy his A.D.C., Captain C. J. Holland-Marfin, his Comptroller, Wing Commander 11. Bevan, the Chief of the General Staff, Major-General Sir John Duigan, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Commodore W. E. Parry, and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore 11. W. L. ‘Saunders, inspected the guard of honour, and then mounted the steps of Parliament Buildings for the swear-ing-in ceremony.

In the official party on the dais were the Administrator, Sir Michael Myers, the Prime Minister, members of Cabinet and of the War Cabinet, members of both houses of the Legislature, representatives of the other Dominions and other countries, members of the judiciary, heads of State departments, representatives of national and civic interests and their wives.

The commission of appointment of the Governor-General was read ‘by the Acting-Clerk of the Executive Council, Mr. T. R. Aicken, and Sir Cyril then took the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Office, which were administered by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers. The Royal Salute was repeated and the Vice-Regal flag was‘broken out. Mr. Fraser then delivered his speech of welcome on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, to which his Excellency replied. Returned Soldiers Inspected.

Accompanied by the president of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, Mr. Perry, M.L.C., the president of the Wellington branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, Lieu-tenant-Colonel A. Cowles, and Colonel C. H. Weston, K.C., Sir Cyril inspected a parade of approximately 300 returned soldiers.

The Royal Salute was given again as the Governor-General and his party entered their cars to return to Government House.

Majesty the King should come from the armed services, and from among the most conspicuous of those who have given such unstinted services to the Empire during the present conflict.

“We have in the past had many distinguished representatives from the other Services—the Royal Navy and the Army—and we are deeply sensible that your appointment is a source of great honour to this Dominion. We count ourselves singularly fortunate on this occasion that New Zealand should have, as its Governor-General, an airman of such exceptional experience ; one whose profound knowledge of the problems of modern warfare in all its phases commands the very highest respect; and one whose achievement in building up the Royal Air Force, till it has become the finest in the world, commands the undying gratitude of the British people. Defence of British Isles.

"We know, from the many striking tributes that have been paid to your outstanding part in the defence of the British Isles against the terrible onslaught of the German Air Force, that you have succeeded in forging a weapon on which not only the security of the United Kingdom, but, indeed, the ultimate outcome of the war must largely depend.

“In extending this welcome to your Excellency and Lady Newall, I do so on behalf of the people of both the races, Maori and pakeha, which, in the short course of a century, have come to regard each other as brothers and as equal partners in a common enterprise. Bound together as they are in a common destiny, and in their loyal devotion to the British Throne and Commonwealth, the two peoples have freely united once again to offer their blood in defence of their democratic ideals.

“The Maori people look forward to greeting your Excellencies with all their customary friendliness as, indeed, do all New Zealanders throughout the length and breadth of the land. You are assured of the warmest welcome wherever you may go. It is indeed the earnest wish of all of us that your stay here in New Zealand should be a source of pleasure to yourselves and to the members of your family.

“I wish to express, on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, our deep satisfaction at your Excellency’s presence in our midst at a time when we are confronting, with all our resources, new tasks and unparalleled dangers,” said the Prime Minister. “We trust and pray that early in your Excellency’s term of office the manifold blessings of peace may be restored to us and that, in common with the rest of the world, the Dominion of New Zealand may turn again to the task of reconstruction securelj’ based on a new and better outlook in the management and conduct of human affairs.

"May the stay of your Excellencies among us be most happy. We know it will be beneficial to our Dominion.”