N.Z. Beauty Is Outstanding Asset, Lord Galway Says

Northern Advocate, 9 November 1939, Page 4

N.Z. Beauty Is Outstanding Asset, Lord Galway Says

IPer Press Association. — Copyright .3 WELLINGTON, This Day.

“To obtain an accurate impression of the progress made throughout the country, one must travel and see for oneself the excellent roads, up-to-date railway system, splendidly laidout cities and towns, factories and warehouses, power stations, wellmanaged -farms, fine schools and universities, hospitals, Government and social services—in fact, all that goes to make up the system of modern civilisation and comfort.” The Governor-General (Viscount Galway) declared this at the opening of the Centennial Exhibition yesterday afternoon. “In addition, New Zealand had one outstanding asset in which the hand of man played no part—its natural beauty.” Maoris Fairly Treated. In reference to the Maori people, the Governor-General said the fair and equitable treatment they had re-« ceived at the hands of Governor Hobson in the first place, and later as a result of wise government by some of the earlier administrators, notably Sir George Grey, was such that they readily appreciated the advantages of British rule and living among British people.

“The fact that within the last 10 or 12 years the Maori population had increased by over 28 per cent, indicates that they have now definitely adapted themselves to present-day conditions of life, and the manner in which they are now living in harmony with their pakeha brethren, is, indeed, > most gratifying. Great Work of Pioneers. “I hope all who visit the Exhibition will make a careful study of everything on view. “The occasion is" one when New Zealanders, and especially young New Zealanders, on the threshold of life, should reflect on the great work done by the pioneers, and recognise that there are still vast areas of land to be brought into profitable cultivation. “That this involves hard work, I admit, but I would remind them that only by hard work and self-sacrifice can one hope to succeed. Laud is Premier Profession.

“To young men about to leave college, I would seriously ask: “Which would, you prefer—lo or 15 years hard work, developing later, in proportion to the work put into the land, to an easier life, a well-establish-ed and more or less self-contained home and consequent independence, or a lifetime of work in cities or towns, with only little prospect of achieving independence or affluence? “I say definitely, New Zealanders must continue to recognise that their premier profession, the land, must be worked to the best possible extent and production increased if a reasonable standard of living is to he maintained.”