THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO FEILDING.

Feilding Star, Volume XX, Issue 63, 13 September 1898, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT TO FEILDING.

mittee and nil th. -v -..u took a prominent part in ir ki. g ihe necessary arrangements for Mi ■ ho*»i fc welcome aud hospitable reception of Mi., in Feilding, on its sncec, ; ,i)d their pro^i sion for the child* tj. a id ,v* peop^s' i-n---joyinent. I have wit-mis? >i many similar i functions in the Old Ca urrry, but none, I i think, any more impo*"tan r - and certainly j none the more imposn ■? n -preuaony than that of which I \va~- a spectator last I Friday. It is this sort of gathering that unites us more and more to serve vvuh those, only distanced from us by water — "one Queen, one Flag, one Empire"— and it is pleasing to see in this democratic age snch a feeling of loyalty and patriotism as evidently exists in our inidat. I am, etc., Raymokd P. Walsh.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Allow me to give my impressions as to the Governor's visit last Friday, when such a large concourse of people assembled in the streets of our quiet little town. I was much impressed by the orderly bearing of the crowd ; also by their well dressed and prosperous appear ance. The quiet and well bred behaviour of everyone was very noticeable, and when we take into consideration that amongst the 3000 people assembled, there was only one constable to the thousand to preserve order, the contrast to such an assemblage for a like purpose in other countries was very much in favor of New Zealand. As an old soldier, however, I should like to have seen a greater amount of enthusiasm displayed by the general public. When we remember that we were assembled to do honour to the repre sentative of the Queen I feel sure that the nonchalance shown was not from any disrespect but rather from want of thought as to the importance of the occasion. We do not appear to sufficiently realize the immense obligations we are under to the Imperial Government nor to remember that were it not for the prestige of the British connection our shores would be open to the teeming millions of Asia. Ido not think, even Mr Seddon could frame an 1 undesirable' Immigrants' Bill, which would be strong enough to keep them out, without some more forcible argument behind it. That argument seßms to me to be the British Fleet, towards the maintenance of which, I am under the impression, we pay nothing (except in the matter of trade). When we consider the great liberty we enjoy in being entirely left to ourselves in the matter of government--a oase unparalleled m the world's history, for not even the great Roman Empire (which comes nearest to our position) allowed her outlying provinces the inestimable boon of selfgovernment — we should show a little more appreciation of the immense benefits which under these circumstances occur to us. How can we better do that than by honouring the representative of that mighty Power which shelters us ? I thick few of us realise the enormous sacrifice involved by ladies and gentlemen breaking up their homes in the Old Country, and from a sense of duty prpceeding to the ends of the earth, as it were, and so expatriating themselves for a term of years, We do not sufficiently appreciate that this implies the severance of family and social ties, and not infrequently immense pecuniary loss. Should we not impress these matters on the rising generation, so that they may grow up with more responsive feelings to those who make such sacrifices for our safety? I submit that there must be a defect in our education system when such an important matter as this is lost sight of, as without knowledge, there is no appreciation, therefore, it follows, there is no sympathy or enthusiasm. I am, etc., J. liddlk.