WARM WELCOME

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 135, 4 March 1941, Page 8

WARM WELCOME

New Governor-General In Auckland

AUDIENCE OF 3000

Proceedings Marked By

Enthusiasm

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 3.

On the occasion of their first official visit to Auckland the people of the metropolitan area gave to the new Governor General, Sir Cyril Newall, ' and Lady Newall, what the mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, described as a truly Auckland welcome.

Every section of the community was represented in the huge audience of more than 3000 people which gathered in the Town Hall at midday and numbers more who could not gain admission gathered outside in the hope of catching a glimpse of their Excellencies.

All through the proceedings enthusiasm showed itself in the eager and spontaneous applause which greeted every point made by the speakers. This warmth of feeling was particularly noticeable whenever the speakers referred to Sir Cyril’s achievements as leader of the air defence of the Empire. Specially loud handclapping confirmed the remark of the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, when lie said that no representatives of the King had been taken more quickly to the hearts of New Zealand’s people. Hearty Applause.

• Before entering the building, Sir Cyril inspected a smart naval guard of honour 100 strong from H.M.S. Tamaki. This brief ceremony was watched by a large crowd which heartily applauded him. In the official party which accompanied their Excellencies in the procession when they entered the hall were the Prime Minister and the mayor and mayoress. Those ou the stage included the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, the Attor-ney-General, Mr. Mason, Mr. J. G. Coates and Mrs. Coates, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, and other members of Parliament. Front seats in the body of the hall were occupied by foreign consuls and 200 delegates to the Municipal Conference. A conspicuous figure in uniform was Commander J. P. Olding, United States naval observer in New Zealand, who sat beside the American Consul. Mr. J. G. Groeningen. Associating himself with the welcome to their Excellencies, the Prime Minister assured them they would find the same enthusiasm and warmth of heart in every city and town from North Cape to the Biuff. He went on to refer to the published interview with Sir Cyrjl’s predecessor, Viscount Galway, who had impressed Canadian newspapermen as in spirit more a New Zealander than an Englishman.

“Before Sir Cyril and Lady Newall leave this country,” he remarked, “I hope they will achieve the same —I will not sgy transformation but progression. I feel that they are already now on the way, for sever in the history of the Dominion have those who have come to represent His Majesty been more quickly'and whole-heartedly received and taken to the hearts of the people than they have been.” Sir Cyril Newall received an ovation as he rose to reply. He waved a hand light-heartedly to someone in the gallery and brought "down a second storm of applause by addressing all present as “fellow citizens.” Gratitude for Welcome.

“My gratitude at the warmth of the welcome extended to Its is too heartfelt to require any but the simplest language,” he said. “My words before were formal, but sincere, and now to all who have welcomed us so kindly I will just say ‘thank you.’ “Before leaving England my wife and I had the pleasure of a visit to Lord and Lady Bledisloe. who are as devoted as ever to-your country. They impressed upon us that we would find New Zealand very like the Homeland, and so without doubt it must have been, as I can see even after these few days.” Sir Cyril described the England of today as very different from the Englund to which Lord Bledisloe returned in 11935. The country was mobilized and men, Women and children were all in the front line with the fighting'services. Work was continuous day aud night aud many, on the completion of their day’s work, assumed voluntary duties to allow fellow citizens either to play the part for which they had been chosen in the prosecution of the war or to enjoy the rest which w as essential to efficiency.

“The whole country is one ream and al! differences have been laid aside. All are united under a chosen leader in their-determination to prevail, and prevail they will, no mutter "’bat the cost. Theirs is n spirit which cannot be beaten. Never could it be said more truly of any nation ‘United we stand ’

‘‘Let us pray God New Zealand will not have to endure the sufferings of the homeland. Tn any case we must examine our consciences and make cer tain we are giving of our best. It shall never be said that we failed those who are carrying the burden of our tight.” concluded Sir Cyril. Nearly 2000 jieople were outside the hall when their Excellencies left, and tlie body of police bad some difficulty in clearing a way for their car through the excited crowd.