LORD BLEDISLOE’S ADDRESS

Evening Star, Issue 21904, 15 December 1934, Page 11

LORD BLEDISLOE’S ADDRESS

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, December 10. The Governor-General (Lord Blcdi,too) extended a most cordial welcome o His Eoyal Highness on behalf of all lasses and both races in New Zealand.

His Excellency said: “ Wo are indeed gratified and honoured that, after your .trenuous tour in Australia, you arc, .vith tho King’s gracious permission, ibont to spend six weeks among us, md we hope and believe that your somirn in this attractive outpost of tho ■ iritish Empire will prove enjoyable and .nteresting. Nowhere within the wide ambit of our Empire territory will you rind people more loyal to the Throne, more devoted in their affection for the Royal House, or more steadfast in their attachment to the Old Country and its traditions and ideals than those who inhabit'this dominion. Nowhere, moreover, will you meet better or keener sportsmen. You can be assured ,of a greeting of enthusiastic sincerity from persons of every class and occupation wherever yon may travel within these ocean-girt islands, evoked spontaneously both by their deep respect for our much-beloved King and Queen, and also by your own personal qualities and sympathies, which are such as appeal strongly to tho highest instincts of the virile God-fearing and progressivelyminded nation, characterised by resourcefulness and energy, which New Zealand aspires to be. “ The visit of your Royal parents to this country thirty-three years ago has v left behind in the minds of her people the happiest recollections of the gracious and sympathetic interest displayed by their Majesties in all their activities and in the pleasant environment with which a bounteous Nature has endowed them, and tho indissoluble link of affec-

tibn for the .Royal House is destined to bo still further cemented—if this indeed be possible—by your welcome appear-ance-in our midst on. your way back to tho Motherland, which all New. Zealanders describe as “ Home.’ It is our earnest hope that you will, during your all-too-short visit to this dominion, feel thoroughly at homo among the people of this particlilarly homely branch of the British Family of Nations. “ Our economic, horizon has been sadly darkened by clouds of industrial and trade depression during the last three years, hut the clouds are lifting, and the advent of Your Royal Highness will materially aid in their final dissipation. “ In expressing tho hope that you will thoroughly enjoy your stay here, I would remind you that New Zealand, apart from its healthy, sunny climate and fertile soils, possesses many advantages and attractions, unique throughout tho Empire, in tho wealth of scenic beauty within a relatively small area, displayed by its mountains, rivers, sounds, glaciers, and lakes, and in the wonders of its thermal area and its glow-worm caves, not to mention its sporting facilities, and the rich , feast which it offers to the naturalist. The loyal, happy, and accomplished Maori race will join whole-heartedly with their European compatriots in this welcome which, in the name of all alike, I now warmly extend to Your Royal Highness. May you have a happy Christmas in our midst.”