THE H.B. TRIBUNE THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1935 “HAERE RA, KAWANA.”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 77, 14 March 1935, Page 6

THE H.B. TRIBUNE THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 1935 “HAERE RA, KAWANA.”

Without implying the slightest icfleetion upon those who came ami went before them it may be i truly said that this the most remote ot the British Dominions has , been singularly fortunate in the choices made for our post-war Governors-General. It was a high honour paid to us when the man who had held supreme command in the British Navy was commissioned by the King to be his repre- , sentative in this far-away and relatively small corner of the Empire. Something the same was to be said when our next Gover-nor-General was taken from the other main branch of the great fighting services. The appoint incuts were entirely appropriate following upon the. long and intense armed struggle in which the New Zealand contingents had played their part well and nobly, it was doubtless to some extent in recognition of this that men were sent 1o ns as the King’s vicegerents who had filled leading roles in the same groat tragedy’. And well and truly and with all acceptance to the people did they adapt themselves to their more peaceful duties and to tlieir new surroundings. It was entirely meet that, alter these tokens of appreciation for the ready help tendered to the Motherland in one of the greatest crises in her history, the Admiral and the General should be followed by one skilled in the arts of peace and with a particular bent in directions that have proved of the greatest advantage to those upon whom the prosperity of the country largely depends. From the time he lixt set foot upon New Zealand soil until taking his much regretted departure from us to-morrow Lord Bledisloe has entered heart and soul not only into tlie social but also into the industrial life of the country’ as probably no previous personal representative of the Crown has ever done. It is not too much to say that from the well.-, of bis own inherited knowledge 1 and practical experience he has drawn and communicated a very great deal that has been of distinct benefit to the primary producers of the country. Beyond this, ami what, is of quite equal ; value, he has, through all the days of stress that have marked his i term of office, maintained the cheerful ami cheering front that does so much to help us through and out of our tribulations. Tn the realm of culture other than that of the farm Lord Bledisloe lias been well qualified io do and has done \cry lunch to give the minds of the mail) bodyid’ the people a much needed fresh direction. He has, from his high representative position, been abb' to point out In us. with an influence that has never before been so effective. the many sources ot intellectual and aesthetic enjoyment that lie I ; round us but by most of us uniecognised. More particularly in I this connect ion has be awakened nno>ng us a new historical sfusi;

creating a desire in the younger generations to learn something more of the story of their own country, of which the very great majority of them are so woefully and ungratefully ignorant. For all time the Waitangi gift, taking us back pretty well to the beginning of things, will stand as a memorial to the giver. But it will also serve as a perpetual reminder of all the difficulties and dangers that bad to be overcome by those who in the early days set out to make, and eventually succeeded in making, the country what it. is for us to enjoy. Nor has Lord Bledisloe in any way overlooked the claims of the Native race to a fuller recognition by their I’akeha fellow citizens. He was quick to realise all the line qualities that are inherent in the Maori blood and the need for giving them greater opportunity for exercise. Among them he has made an intimate and friendly contact that has worked an infinity of good for both races. So will it be that when the morrow comes for saying goodbye to His Excellency and to the good lady who has so gracefully and graciously seconded all his efforts to promote our welfare, the Pakeha “Farewell” and the Maori “Jlaere Ra” will be equally sincere in conveying to Lord and Lady Bledisloe the heartfelt good wishes they have so fully earned during their five years of sojourn among us. We may confidently believe that the expressions of regret at parting that come from both sides are no mere words of lip-service suitable to the occasion. They come of the perception by each of all that is best in the other, and it is in that trim friendship lies.