HEARTY WELCOME

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 146, 17 December 1924, Page 9

HEARTY WELCOME

THE CITY'S RECEPTION

TO SIR CHARLES AND LADY ALICE FERGUSSON

GREAT GATHERING IN TOWN HALL

Wellington citizeijg thronged the main chamber of the Town Hall last evening to bid welcome'to the Gover-nor-General (Major-General Sir Charles Fergusson) and Lady Alice Fergusson. The hall was crowded half an hour before the appointed time for the commencement of tho proceedings, which were cordial and hearty throughout. , ■ v

The Mayor (Mr. R, A. Wright, M.P.) presided,. and in addition to the Viceregal party, there were seated on the platform Sir Francis Bell (representing tile Government), Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), members of the City Council, and many well-known citizens. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice,' Major-General C. W. Melvill, and others. . LOYALTY OF WELLINGTON The Mayor said he was sure the large gathering would be pleasing to Therr Excellencies, who, he was satisfied, would find that the people of Wellington were loyal to the King and His Majesty's representative. (Applause.) Mr. Wright quoted Hia Excellency's ,long and distinguished military record, mentioning the fact that in the last three months of the Great War he had had the New Zealand Artillery under his charge. (Applause.) 'It was fortunate for the Dominion that Their Excellencies were no strangers to these shores. (Applause.)- They could not plead that they had been "taken in." (Laughter.) "Your Excellencies are both Scotch," said Mr. Wright, amidst applause, "but you .will find that you will make many friends among the English, Irish, and Welsh." (Applause.) They were all glad. that Their Excellencies had come to New Zealand, and on behalf of the people of Wellington the speaker accorded them a hearty welcome, expressing the hope that their stay in the ' Dominion would be a pleasant one,' and that when they left again for Home ! they would be able to count many thousands of the people of the city and the Dominion as their friends. (Ap- , plause.) ■'-■;■■ Mr. Wright then presented His Excellency witli the following • address, signed by the M^tvyor and Councillors :— : To His Excellency, General Sir Charles Fergussou, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., X.C.8., D.5.0., M.V.0., Governor-General mid Commanderin Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand, and its dependencies .May it Please Your Excellency, We, the Majior, Councillors, and Citizens of Wellington, Joyal and dutiful subjects of Bis Meet Gracious : Majesty, King George the Fifth, ex- : tend to Your .Excellency v most cordial-and hearty welcome to New Zealand to enter upon the high and -. honourable office of Governor-General j of this Dominion and its dependencies. .. ; We welcome you to this, the Cap- - ital City, and appreciate our privilege in.being the first to greet you. ifou are1 not a stranger, to. New Zealand, though it is many years 6ince you were here, but during that time ■our growth has been so rapid and full, that you will fail to recognise in the Dominion over which you will preside as His' 'Majesty's represents-, tive, the land and people known to your boyhood, when your late father, the Eight Honourable Sir James Fargussori, was Governor. Members of your family have for generations past won distinction in public life, and we heartily appreciate the action of His Majesty in selecting as His Representative here, one whose family history has been so closely associated with ,the public life v of the Empire, and one whose per- v sonal career has been'so distinguished and successful in the service of the State. . '■ In connection with your eminent . services in. the Great War, w» are pleased and proud to recall the fact that in that struggle you were associated with- our Expeditionary Force ! a Brigade of. New Zealaiid Artillery having been attached to your command. ■ • - . . . Her Excellency- Lady Fergusson, also, is not a stranger to us, she hay- . ing been in New Zealand with her lather, ex-Governor, the late Earl of Glasgow. We now heartily -welcome her as the wife of our new Gov- \, ernor-General, and earnestly trust that both she and her family may have a very pleasant time in this Dominion. We offer Your Excellency every as- ■ :»urance of the loyal and ready support .and assistance of all sections of our ■ community in the carrying out of the discharge of all the functions appertaining to your administration^ may you have a very happy an d sue- ■ cessful term of office in New Zealand. , MESSAGE FROM PRIME MINISTER The Hon. Sir. Francis Bell read a' message from the Prime - Minister in ' winch. Mr. Massey expressed sincere regret that, owing to indisposition he was personally unable to attend .tho function, but in which he' -"extended a ■ most, cordial welcome to Their Excellencies. "I>desire to take this opportunity, however," said Air Massey's message, "of expressing again as Prime Minister, the great pleasure it gives us in marking their safe arrival in the Dominion, aucli of assuring them of our good wishes for thuir 'happiness during their slay in our midst. They may be fully assured of a very hearty reception, not only in Wellington, but in every part of the Dominion, especially having regard to their close association with the early' life and administration of the country through their- respective parents. The Dominion has, indeed, been fortunate in the selection of so distinguished .1. personage us Sir Charles Fer'susson, as the Sovereign's representative. I know that I -c*n speak for the whole of the people of New Zealand in sincerely hoping that Their Excellencies and their family will enjoy their sojoiiro among us, »ud find 'the climate

arid surroundings congenial to their health and happiness." Sir Francis said it gave him great pleasure to take part in the reception to Their Excellencies. He recalled the lasting memories created in New Zealand by Lord and Lady Glasgow, Lady Alice's parents, and Sir James' Fergusson, Sir diaries' father, who was also a former Governor of New Zealand, and referred to the gathering of thousands of people that assembled to bid farewell to Lord and Lady Glasgow before they returned to England. Thousands of people, he said, have happy memories of Lady Alice's parents. (Applause.) The. speech made by His Excellency on Saturday had established his personality in New Zealand, not only as the King's representative, but also as a. man. He went on to speak of the reason why the Government was particularly pleased at Sir Charles' appointment. The responsibilities of the Gover-nor-jGeneralship had been Wnprmously increased in recent years, especially during and since ,the war. The progress of ". the * Imperial Conference was maintained almost daily by messages to tho Governor-General of each Dominion, through whom the messages were passed on to the Prime Minister, and the possession of secret information must be a matter of constant anxiety. The Government welcomed the appointment, of Sir Charles, and his acceptance of the office, because of his wide experience and knowledge in war and peace. Norie the less, they welcomed his appointment because he was a soldier of distinguished service to the Empire and experienced in Empire affairs. (Applause.) At the close of the war Sir Charles had been Governor of the territory occupied by'the British troops at Cologne. Great tact and judgment were required in any man who was appointed to such an important responsibility. His Excellency would find that the people of New Zealand were determined that, so far as they were concerned, nothing should sever the ties that bound them with loyalty to the Old Land, and that they would always owe allegience to the King. (Applause.) .. "UNDERSTANDING, CONFIDENCE, AND FAITH" "I count it an honour to-night to be on this platform to. welcome, on behalf of the opposition, your .fcixcellencies to New Zealand," said the Leader of the Opposition (Air. T. M. Wilford). Mr. vvuford said that no member of the Opposition differed from the Government in loyalty to King, country, and flag. (Applause.). He agreed with the previous speakers as to the high standard of His Excellency's speech after the swear-ing-in ceremony on Saturday, and said that those who had been present out of curiosity came away witli a .feeling of understanding, confidence and faith in His Excellency, who understood tifb human equation. Such a man would understand the people of .the "Britain of the South." (Applause.) New Zealand was 95 per cent. British, and its young men were responsive to type. That was why the New Zealanders had not failed when the call of Empire came. They hoped Their Excellencies would be very happy here. If they were fond of sport, they would find plenty of clean sport here for the naming. New Zealanders had had a sailor for their last Governor-General, and they had loved him—(applause)—but this time a soldier had been ■ sent them; —a gallant gentleman. (Renewed applause). "He thinks that some wisdom," added Mr. Wilford, "is at the back of the mind of the powers that be in the Old Land. When a sailor comes first, and a soldier comes afterwards, there won't be much left for the Home Government to know, Sir, after your term is up. (Laughter.) He thinks there may be some method in the sending—l may be wrong, but it strikes me I may be right. (Laughter.) If you can sea your term of office through, and the majority of the people speak well "of you, and I am sure they will, your mission will be a successful one. May I conclude by saying this to you: The people of New Zealand are glad to see you here. ; They welcome you from the bottom of their hearts. They hope Your Excellencies will be happy, and if there is anything New Zealanders can do to make you happy consider it done." (Loud applause.) Councillor M. F. Luckie, speaking as senior-Councillor, said it was an essentially fitting thing that . the Dominion should firet have had a great sailor, and then a distinguished soldier as Governor-General. In this instance it was a singular coincidence that Their Excellencies were son and daughter, respectively, of former Governors ? *! le_P o™ini °"- Mr- referred to oir Unarles s charm of manner, which he said, could not fail to endear him to all who came in contact with him In conclusion, he referred to Their Excellencies' former stay in New Zealand ?"i* r sai, d he wished to add to what Mr' vvilford had said, and welcome them back home. (Applause.) ' HIS EXCELLENCY'S THANKS On rising to reply His Excellency, was received with cheers, and loud and sustained, applause. He said: Mr. Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of Wellington, I thank you on belmlf of Her Excellency and myself for the very kind" words in which in your address you have welcomed us to New Zealand, r do not, forget that you were also the first to welcome us on our arrivil witlan the actual limits of the city on Saturday last. It is a nT ent satisfaction to us to find ourselves again in a city, and in a community in which we both have the happiest, recollections in our early days. The fact to which you have referred that our parents filled the same office m years gone by makes our return to this country' cloubly interesting. I congratulate you Mr. Mayor, most heartily on ' the wonderful development that has . taken place, and on the signs of progress aiid expansion which ar e so evident—a sinking tce!timo>iy Uj

the wise and far-seeing policy which has utilised the ground to tho best

advantage, reserving space for recreation and for beauty, and yet providing for the business and social requirements of the community. I am grateful for the assurance of your support and assistance in ths carrying out of the duties which will fall to me, and I assure you that such co-operation will be much appreciated, and will render our task both easy and pleasant. We look forward greatly to becoming acquainted with the city and its people. (Applause.)

His Excellency said that Lady Alice and himself had been touched to the. heart with the reception that had been given them. , He could not find words which would express at all adequately what he felt. The warmth of the reception was an encouragement to' Lady Alice and himself in undertaking their duties. The office of GovernorGeneral of a Dominion was a very high honour, which' h» could not tell them how much he appreciated, but it was not an honour that one undertook lightly. It carried with it great responsibility; he was not thinking at the moment so much about the responsibility of administration as the responsibility of vision-and understanding; to see how one could best be useful; to recognise how one could-best fit in, or, to use a more colloquial expression, how one could best "pull one's weight." It seemed to him. that it was in Unit respect that his predecessor succeeded so well. (Applause.) That was not to say that Lord Jellicoe was not a great administrator—far from it; but', as ho tried to hint the other day^ there needed something behind it,, and that was, that touch of human sympathy 5 which went home to everybody's heart, ■ (Applause.) Lord Jellicoe had that, and, though, perhaps, it might not be his place to say it, yet there might be some present who would bear him out when he said he thought that was a gift that was possessed by his (the speaker's) father, and by the late Lord Glasgow. (Applause.)" Both Her Excellency and himself had always looked on Wellington as a second home. (Applause.) That was natural, because both pi them, during the time they were nere in their younger days, spent most of their time here. Wellington had changed beyond all knowledge in some ways, and the development and expansion was nothing shorf of marvellous, but nothing that could be done in the way of building could possibly obliterate the outlines of what was, and he thought always would be, one of the most beautiful spots in the world. (Applause.) . ' ."TAKE US AS YOU FIND US" After referring to matters of Imperial concern, His Excellency said that lie had many hopes, aspirations and dreams, and whether they would come true or not he did not know. He had much to learn, and would make mistakes, but the kindness of the welcome led him to hope that .in their indulgence they would have patience with the inexperience and be generous in regard to the mistakes.

Will you please take us as you find us, remarked Sir Charles, "believing that _w e really have the interests of the Dominion at heart? (Applause.) We hope to find some way in which we can be of use. New Zealand has been called the 'country of opportunity for all." lhat I take rt, refers as much to a new Governor-General as it does to a new settler, and our earnest prayer is that we may have the vision to see and to grasp those opportunities, and to use them to the best of your interests"' (Loud applause,) .The gathering concluded with the singing of the National Anthem During the evening a.programme of musical items was contributed by the Robbms, Howe, and Svenson, Miss Helen Gard'nef and Mr.. Len Barnes