“A WHITE MAN.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 April 1926, Page 5

“A WHITE MAN.”

lord SGMiEiRS. VICTORIA \S- NEW GOVERNOR. KEEN OIN AUSTRALIA. LONDON, March 24. It is now officially -announced that Lord Somers has been appointed Governor of Victoria, in succession to Lord Sitradbrolce. ~_ Interviewed by the special, representative of The.'Sun, a titled lady moving in Court circles, who knows Lady Somers exceptionally well, says that, the latter is an intimate friend of Princess Mary and of the Duchess of York.. She frequently dines at Buckingham Palace with the King and Queen, and entertained them' in Scotland. She traces her descent from, hue of the most venerable 'Scottish families —the Fletchers of |Saltoun —who were descended from. Robert the Bruce. -Lady Somers, with her sister, Lady Aipslev, was a, V.A.D. nurse in wartime and was married in 1921. Shelias a daughter, born in 1923. The lady interviewed says that it has fallen to the lot of few Englishmen representing the King overseas •to, take out such a charming wife. Lady Somers is under 30, and probably will be the youngest lady to become the chatelaine- of the Victorian Government House.

Lady Somers isi at present visiting Paris, choosing clothes in order to do iustioe to her place" in Melbourne' society. v > • Lord Somers, interviewed, said he had not expected the announcement so soon. The whole affair had been a series of surprises. He bad continued, “I always had wanted an opportunity, not only of seeing tlie E|m}»ire, but of being/ able to feel that 1 wasi in a position to do something of real service, in making the Dominions and the Mother Oounbry know one another as they .should; ‘■‘'Some of my friends say I'm a Bolshevik. Here’s the truth: I’m a perfectly normal soul, Who will always speak his mind. I haven’t the 1 slightest doubt but that I will fit in quickly in Australia, because, .although 1 have not been there, I imagine I know a lot about your people already. Six of my close friends, all army colleagues are settled in Australia. I have hea.r,l great things about the land from, them, and also from Lord and Lady Apsley, with whom I have frequently discussed it. They often tell me that they will be delighted to return, when they get the chance, to this young men’s country.” , Discussing his sporting activities, Lord Somers said : ‘‘l’ll play Whatever and wherever I can. I eagerly anticipate seeing Flemington. I’m a great racegoer, but have not yet decided whether tci follow Lord Stradbroke and become- an owner. I ant just as anxious to see the cricket grounds. I will certainly play cricket, but do not ex-j>ect to find me a champion.” The interviewer referred to the Governor’s comparative youth for such an appointment, suggesting that the idea was that they would return to Britain as vigorous Dominion ambassadors, i Lord Somers said: “That is the reason why I .specially welcome the prospect. 1 realise that if a man goes to Victoria when he is young and comes l back young, lie can convey to headquarters ,a most desirable influence.” Lord Somers impresses one as an ideal Governor, of forceful -personality, straightforwardness, and candor. He does not hesitate to call a spade a spade, even “a blanky spade.’’ He is what Australians regard as “a. white man,” the sort of newcomer that Australians would willingly -stand on the wharves in thousands to welcome, if they .could get them.