GOVERNORS-GENERAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 121, 23 May 1914, Page 6

GOVERNORS-GENERAL

RECEPTION AND FAREWELL. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, 16th May. Our new Governor-General haa received his first welcome in Australia at Fremantle, and his immediate predecessor has started on his way back to England. There is no lack of cordiality in the reception of Sir Ronald Munro Ferguson, while Lord Dennian has been farewelled with many hearty expressions of high esteem. It has to bo said that thus far we have been fortunate in our Governors-General. Although ho _ has shown himself intent upon punctilious correctness iv connection with his official duties, Lord Denman has proved that he knows well how to get into sympathetic touch with all sections of the community. At the last of the valediotory functions in his honour ho said ho did not mind admitting now that speech-making (in which he has done very well) had always been a task with him. He had never really enjjoyed it. Perhaps ho had been spoiled as a speech-maker when ho first took a share in public affairs. At ono of tlje first political meofcings addressed by him in England — in tho Midlands — he said towards tho close — "Mr. Chairman, I now have to aak inycelf a question." A man at tho back of tho hall immediately cried out, "And a damned silly answer you'll get." Ho , had never properly gob over that sot-back. This bit of comical oxplanation darted laughter, which hot not yet died down. Thoso who expeotod, or feared, that Lord Benman might saiy something eevero on tho ove of his departure about his eviction from Sydney Government House (because of disagreement between Federal and New South Waits >i misters) wero relieved by the way in which ho touched upon thiti matter. Ho said fhat he was pleased to stato that ho had been on good terms with tho Governments of tho State, particularly with that of Victoria. It was duo to them that during the greater part of his stay in Australia ho had had a roof over his head, and for this he could not be sufficiently grateful.