VICE-REGAL VISIT

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3371, 29 September 1931, Page 5

VICE-REGAL VISIT

LORD AND LADY BLEDISLOE.

WELCOME AT SCHOOL.

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY. Their Excellencies, the GovernorGeneral and Lady Bledisloe, accompanied by Lady Nora Jellicoe and Sir John Hanham, visited Te Kuiti yesterday,- following an inspection of the Waitomo Caves. _ The Vice-Regal party arrived on Sunday and proceeded to Waitomo, coming on to Te Kuiti yesterday afternoon, when they attended a, welcome at the school,. to which the public was invited. Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large gathering present. It was intended to hold the function in the school grounds, where a dais decorated with greenery had been set up; this, however, was rendered impossible owing to the rain, and the school building had to be utilised. An address was delivered by His Excellency first to the school children in one of the larger class rooms, and then to the public, it being impossible to accommodate both at the same time. A guard of honour was formed in the corridors by the Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides, in charge of Scoutmaster Wilde-Smith and Captain I. Graham respectively, while returned men *'and members of the executvie of the R.S.A. also participated in the welcome. The gathering included members of the Waitomo County and Te Kuiti Borough Councils, together with their wives, members and their wives of the Waitomo Power Board,. Wairere Power Board, Mangapu Drainage Board, Hospital Board, School Committee, members of the local clergy, also the Mayor, Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., and the Mayoress, Mrs. Broadfoot. The Maniapoto Silver Band was in attendance and rendered suitable selections. Mr. C. H. Tate had charge of arrangements, being assisted by the staff of the school.

Their Excellencies' Arrival.

"I hope the little ones will not feel the worse for the rain," was the first consideration of His Excellency on arrival at the school—but beingassured that the pupils were all under cover, he proceeded to inspect the guard of honour, after which he, together with Lady Bledisloe, Lady Nora Jellicoe, Sir John Hanham, His Worship the Mayor and the Mayoress, and Mr. Skinner, headmaster of the school, and Mrs. Skinner, took up a position before the pupils and teachers. After receiving a welcome on behalf of the town and district by the Mayor, Lord Bledisloe stated that his visit was to make the acquaintance of the people of Te Kuiti and the Maoris of this district. It was delightful to see so many happy healthy children, for it had to be borne in mind that the future of New Zealand depended upon what its children would make it. Urging upon his hearers the need for making at all times the best efforts of which they were capable, he reminded them of an old school motto: "Per agua ad astra" (through difficulties to the stars). His Excellency called to mind that the forefathers of this country's present generation were pioneers who had conquered many difficulties, and because of the spirit they had shown, New Zealand was to-day one of the most promising countries in the British Empire. Referring to* the present difficult times through which we are passing, and urging upon his hearers the need for their best effort, His Excellency said: "We are not going to achieve perfection by sitting back and thinking that that body of people called the Government is going to put things to right. We must make the best of the talents and opportunities which the good God has given us. . . . Do not be ashamed of working with your hands and in using your hands use your intellect also." The great thing for one to learn in one's youth was to develop character, without which the overcoming of difficulties and the "reaching of the stars" was impossible. The Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements came in for the warm commendation of His Excellency, than which there were no greater movements for the training of youth; the precepts of these organisations taught boys and girls all those things desirable in the moulding of youth. (Applause.)

New Zealand's Good Fortune.

Prior to his address to his second audience, His Excellency was introduced by Mr. Broadfoot. In doing so, the speaker expressed appreciation of His Excellency's request that no expense should be incurred on account of the Vice-Regal visit. It was rather a wonderful thing, continued Mr. Broadfoot, that the powers that be always found the right man for the right position when he was needed. New Zealand was fortunate, therefore, at this time in having for its GovernorGeneral a man with theoretical, practical and commercial experience. This experience, he hoped, would be devoted to assisting the primary producer—to help to show him that there was a silver lining to the present dark clouds. Though we were passing through difficult times, His Worship proceeded, the present was by no means the most serious in the nation's history. Reverting to the perilous times of Pitt the younger, the speaker recalled how as the result of the urgent need of that time, when there had been a "run" on the Bank of England, a conference of King George's Council and Pitt was held, with the result that paper money was issued. His Excellency had brought a message of hope, and just as the Government of England had taken drastic action in Pitt's time, the same had been done again, and "we will conquer our difficulties the same the they did," said the speaker. After His Worship's address Jean Bathgate, member of the Brownies, presented Her Excellency with a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of the citizens of Te Kuiti.

An Optimistic Note

His Excellency, in his opening remarks, thanked the people of Te Kuiti for their loyal and friendly welcome. In a very able oration, His Excellency surveyed the present world financial situation, and sounded an optimistic note for the future. Mr. Broadfoot, he said, had referred to the strenuous times and the achievement of the Younger Pitt, and the similar sequence in financial events which had transpired at Home recently, when the issue of paper money was being resorted to. Many people had questioned the abandonment of the gold standard, but no New Zealander need have any anxiety about the issue of paper money. No part of the Empire was going to be any the worse off on account of the abandonment of the gold standard.

The World's Gold

The scarcity of gold had caused an injustice to other nations; the gold of the world had been hoarded away in the coffers of two countries, France and the United States, but these two countries would not benefit themselves or other nations ultimately. He was glad to learn that the French Premier had sailed for America to interview President Hoover. When these two statesmen met, we must hope to see some action taken that would result in relief to the whole world.

"Definite Silver Lining."

"I came here to-day to tell you that although the clouds of depression are hanging over your heads, there is a definite silver lining to those clouds. I feel with Mr. Broadfoot that the time is at hand when there will be a return to prosperity." His Excellency continued with an assurance that there need be no fear as to the credit of the Old Country in view of what had recently transpired. Credit depended on factors other than gold stocks. It was up to New Zealander's to maintain New Zealand's credit. "Individually and nationally you must 'live within your means." stated the speaker. In the past, the country had been ambitious and now we were facing serious times. We had not readied the precipice, but had got v,ery near to it. In the next 20 years it would be necessary to adopt a different principle and a different standard from that which we had carried on under in the past 20 years.

Buy British Goods

A strong plea to purchase from those countries which purchase from us was put forward and the hope expressed for trade between the colonies and the Motherland. If the Old Country was poor and _ suffered from unemployment, etc., it would be impossible for England to purchase the goods which New Zealand is able to supply. If we in the colonies kept on buying goods to the exclusion of English goods, it would take a longer time to reach the end of the depression. '(Applause.)

Money on Productive Works

Referring to the question of unemployment and unemployment relief measures, His Excellency said: I say in the presence of Mr. Broadfoot, who has shown enterprise in this matter, that money spent in this direction should be spent on" productive works. With the combination of at least two of the parties in the House he hoped that it would be made easier to bring this about.

"While advocating economy I do not say to anyone who has money to spend, not to spend it. The present is a time for- those who have a surplus to spend wisely," dec ] ared Lord Bledisloe.

Our Own District

Coming nearer to affairs at home, His Excellency said: "I rejoice to find in this country some beautiful pastures. Some of them, however, sadly need draining." (Laughter.) Continuing, the speaker agreed that bad growth on much of the land he had seen needed clearing. He was glad to learn that within recent, years freehold tenure had come into vogue in the King Country.

"You have a very valuable industry in this district," His Excellency continued, "you have almost endless supplies of lime. One of the difficulties at Home is the sourness of the land, and onecoukl not get lime. All parties are advocating lime even urban Mayors. (Laughter.) It does not follow that because there is lime beneath the soil, that there is lime on top. I think it would pay some of the local farmers to put local lime on their farms."

His Excellency concluded by ex-pi-essing an optimistic note for the future and in wishing his hearers every prosperity.

Maoris' Welcome

After his address Mr. M. Patu Patu, a chief of the local tribe, tendered a welcome on behalf or the local Maoris, this being interpreted to Their Excellencies by Mr. T. Ormsby. His Excellency, i n replying, said that he must recall that in the late sixties some of the greatest struggles between the Maoris and the Pakehas occurred in the district which he was now visiting. The Maoris had always been noted for two things their courage and their chivalry. (Applause), and for the latter quality, not only in battle, but as far as their women folk were concerned. (Applause.) The pakehas had much to learn from the Maoris just as the Maoris had much to learn from the pakehas.

"We want to see more Maori settlers on the land, to see them till their lands and to tend their stocks in a manner that will make for their prosperity," His Excellency concluded.

The visitors were entertained at afternoon tea in the Technical School buildings, the arrangements for this having been made by Mrs. Broadfoot, and a committee of ladies, and tea was handed round by the High School girls. The opportunity was taken at this stage of the proceedings to present members of local bodies and their wives to Lord and Lady Bledisloe, this being clone by the Mayor and Mayoress.

I The Returned Soldiers.

During the afternoon tea, at which the executive of the local branch of the R.S.A. were present, Lord Bledisloe spoke words of appreciation of the fine spirit of the returned soldiers of New Zealand. His Excellency said that since he had been in the Dominion he had been impressed by the fine spirit that he had seen amongst the returned men. In a letter he had recently sent to His Majesty he had referred to the quiet optimism and confidence of the returned men, stating that this spirit was helping to carry the country through the hard times now being experienced. His Excellency said he felt sure that the returned men would be the nucleus of a body of men who would pave the way towards better times for this country and its people. It was quiet optimism and confidence that was wanted to-day, and it was the men who had fought for King and country who had that splendid feeling to-day. After afternoon tea at the school, His Excellency paid an informal visit to the R.S.A. rooms at the invitation of Mr. Cayley-Alexander, president of the Association. "The King," and "His Excellency" were toasted. The roll was called, after which His Excellency shook hands with every member present.

Hospital Visited

The party also paid a visit to the local hospital, being met by Sister Hay and the nursing staff. Their Excellencies then proceeded to the wards and chatted for a few moments with each of the patients.

At Waitomo

The Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe, accompanied by Lady Nora Jellicoe and Sir John Hanham, arrived here by the 2.30 Wellington express on Sunday morning, and en arrival the Vice-Regal car was placed on a loop line in a residential area of the town. At 9.30 the party quietly left by motor car for the Waitomo Hostel, where Their Excellencies attended a church service, which was conducted by the Rev. W. Sussex, Methodist minister.

The caves were inspected on Sunday, this being considered Their Excellencies only opportunity in view of the rising river, due to the heavy rain.

Visit to Te Awamutu.

To-day the Vice-Regal party will pay an official visit to Te Awamutu, and to-morrow the Otorohanga school and other district schools will be visited.

On Wednesday night Lord and Lady Bledisloe and party will journey to Wellington by the Limited express.