Sir Charles Fergusson

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 277, 3 November 1924, Page 5

Sir Charles Fergusson

A FAREWELL DINNER. LABOUR’S BEST APPOINTMENT. MR THOMAS SELF-CONGRATU-LATORY. London, Nov. 1. Mr J. H- Thomas, Secretary of State for the Colonies, speaking at a farewell dinner to Sir Charles Fergusson, Governor-General designate of New Zealand, took credit, amid laughter and cheers, for making what he declared the best appointment ever made for New Zealand, which was one redeeming feature of the Government’s career. He emphasised. that Britain must send to the dominions the best men possible, irrespective of party or class. Sir James Allen, in proposing “The Guest,” recalled the abortive move, of New Zealand to select her own Governors. and added: “May the idea long i lie dead.” If there was one thing which meant more to New Zealanders than anything else it was the association of the Mother Country and the other dominions under one Crown and one flag.

Sir Charles Fergusson, in responding, said he had no illusion regarding ills temerity in undertaking the office. He asked for the indulgence of New Zealanders in having to learn the ropes. He feared it might bo a case of a tool rushing in where admirals feared _to tread. He recalled that he left New Zealand almost exactly 50 years ago. while his wife was in New Zealand more recently, namely, 25 years since. He felt that while his youthful escapades had long passed into oblivion, his wife still had something to live down. (Laughter). He hoped his 40 years’ soldiering would be or service to New Zealand. He wished to be of the fullest service to all services in the dominion, also in anything appertaining to the training of the youth.—(A. and N.ZJ