Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd., 1929. LORD BLEDISLOE

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 December 1929, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd., 1929. LORD BLEDISLOE

JT would be interesting to know all the story of the appointment of a successor to Sir Charles Fergusson, as Governor-General of the Dominion. Several months’ notice was given of the departure of Sir Charles, and several guesses were made subsequently, as to his probable successor. Some time ago, Sir Joseph Ward said that a definite announcement would be made in November.' This promise was kept, the official statement being published on the last day of that month. Lord Bledisloe’s appointment was a surprise, as much to him, apparently, as to New Zealanders. He has stated that it was within three days of the announcement that he had been first asked to accept the appointment. Evidently, he whs not the first choice, and the earlier Press intimations may have had some authority. Meanwhile, Lord Bledisloe is making hurried preparations to leave for the Dominion, and there is no doubt that a warm welcome awaits him.

His record has not the glamour attached to the public services of his two predecessors, but it has long been realised that this country was particularly fortunate in securing as the King’s representatives, men of the calibre of Earl Jellicoe and Sir Charles Fergusson. The latter’s success should be rewarded with an early peerage, if such honour were acceptable to Sir Charles. This promotion would enable him to sit in the Imperial Parliament, and give valuable contributions to any debates in the Lords upon Empire topics, particularly those affecting New Zealand That is by the way. Lord Bledisloe is an expert farmer, and as such will be at home in this land of primary products. He was to have led the party of British farmers which is to make a tour of the Empire, and is due to reach New Zealand next February, but in view of his appointment he will not now be able to undertake that mission. The fact, however, that he was chosen for such leadership is evidence of his qualifications, and augurs well for his handling of the duties of his new responsible post.

Apparently, Lord Bledisloe is an advocate for closer settlement, and in this he will find here much cooperation. He has, however, jsome erroneous opinions of the type of settlers in this country, judging from an article from his pen recently published in the “Spectator.” The cablegram reported him as stating: “It is the peasant proprietary system, such as exists in Scandinavia, which has provided Australia, Canada and New Zealand with a far more experienced and confident type of settler than Britain is able to do, either from her urban unemployed or from the ill equipped denizens of the devitalised countryside.” There is great difference between the peasant proprietors of Scandinavia and New Zealand farmers, and to infer that this country^with Canada and Australia, owes her prosperity to nonBritish races is absurd. Some excellent migrants have arrived from Northern Europe, but these are comparatively few in number, and have had small effect on the Do-

minion’s progress. New Zealand is proud that her people are over 90 per cent, of British descent. New Zealand women will be, perhaps, more interested in Lady Bledisloe. She is the younger daughter of the first Baron Glantawa, of Swansea, better known as Sir John Jones Jenkiils, M.P., a Liberal politician and a- great industrialist. The Hon. Elaine Jenkins was a well-known beauty, and both before and after her marriage to her first husband, Mr. Cooper Smith, she followed in her father’s footsteps, taking a great interest in all philanthropic work, and was a promoter of Welsh home industries. She was well known for her eharm and beauty, and her portrait was included in a Book of English Beauties published in 1920. Her marriage to Lord Bledisloe took place last year. She should prove popular, and a valuable assistant in the great task her husband has, undertaken.