CIVIC FAREWELL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 November 1940, Page 2

CIVIC FAREWELL

LORD AND LADY GALWAY TRIBUTES TO THEIR SERVICES GREAT HELP IN WAR EFFORT [From Our Own Parliamentary ReporterJ WELLINGTON. This Day. More than 1000 of Wellington’s leading citizens attended the civic farewell in the Town Hall last night to the Governor-General. Lord Galway, and Lady Galway and their children. I The Mayor 'Mr T. C. A. Hislop) who I presided, said that the term of office of His Excellency had been a remarkable one. Not before in such a period had there been so many and so great events, influencing not only the British peoples but the world. “But with all these events adding to the responsibilities of His Excellency there are some of a local nature which must have happy memories for their Excellencies,” added the Mayor. “One only will I mention —the Centennial Exhibition. I am sure their Excellencies are happy to have had the opportunity of playing their part on those historic occasions. GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES “With the outbreak of war grave responsibilities devolved on the Gov-ernor-General. We were fortunate that he was one who had actual experience of war, and from it a special knowledge of the requirements of the fighting men. He has been a tower of strength in our active war effort and in all patriotic activities. “When the first severe bombing of London took place we all wanted to help the brave people of that great city and to contribute at once to the Lord Mayor’s Fund. It was His Excellency who brushed aside the petty objection of certain organisations and arranged for £IOO.OOO to go at once to London. Knowing as Ido the feelings of the people here they will warmly applaud his action. Without remission he has been untiring in his efforts to develop our war efficiency, to help our men. and to succour the victims of enemy barbarity. In all this work His Excellency has had the active co-operation of Her Excellency. “Now the time of their Excellencies in this country draws toward its close. They go to their home land, to that beloved country which is the mother of us all, to that country whose people are in the front line of the fight. Let us send through His Excellency the message of our love and admiration to the people of Britain and our pledge tc work to the utmost for the cause. Let this be the pledge we give to you, your Excellency, to take with you to the old land. “And now good-bye. From all my fellow citizens to you, Her Excellency and your children, a cordial farewell.” GOVERNMENT’S TRIBUTE The Hon. W. Nash conveyed the personal regret of the Prime Minister a 1 his inability to attend, and also Mi Fraser’s appreciation of His Excellency’s splendid help both to Mr Frasei since he had been Prime Minister, and to his late colleague. Mr Savage, during his term of office. Mr Nash endorsed the view expressed by the Mayor that His Excellency had been in New Zealand during momentous years for the British Commonwealth of Nations, and thankee Mm for the inspiring lead he had given in particular during the centennia. period. The fact that his period ol office had been extended after the outbreak of war had also been welcomed by the Government, by whom His Excellency's counsel had been deeply appreciated. As a soldier himself His Excellency had taken a keen interesl in the training of New Zealand’s soldiers. sailors and airmen. He and Lady Galway had thrown themselves hearl and soul into the activities of the patriotic organisations. These activities, as well as many others, would cause them to be kindly and happily remembered by the citizens of this country. New Zealanders had no illusions as to the fact that while they enjoyed comparative peace, the people of the Home country were in the front line fighting for their own future anc that of the Empire, said Mr Nash, bul they were assisting within the limits of the country’s resources and were proud to do so. They realised also and appreciated, the magnificent spiril of the people of the Homeland that hac enabled them to withstand their severe trial. Mr Nash said he was sure His Excellency would convey to His Majesty his knowledge of this recognition by the people of New Zealand of theii debt to the people of Britain. The Mayor then presented Lord anc Lady Galway with an illuminated address. LORD GALWAY’S REPLY “As representative of the King 1 air j very glad to have your assurance ol | loyalty and devotion to His Majesty arid the Throne.” said Lord Galway lin reply. “It shall be my duty anc pleasure to convey that message to the King on my return to the Mother Coun try. “Now that our time in New Zealanc is drawing to a close, I should like to tell you how much we have enjoyec cur stay in your beautiful and fortunate country. “Little did we imagine when we lefl the Old Land nearly six years age what the future held in store. Many changes have taken place since we lefl those shores. Overshadowing everything else at the moment is. of course the present conflict and the magnificent e.Tort of our Empire to defend itself against a powerful and ruthless aggressor, ancl to preserve democracy for the world. This war as at presenl waged is proving calamitous for all countries involved and for most ol those not involved. But I am certain the Empire will emerge triumphant, and that in the end those powers ol evil responsible for the present carnage and destruction will be eliminated once ancl for all. “The noble and generous response of New Zealand’s sons to the call of the Mother Land will not be forgotten. The Dominion’s war effort is one of which all may well feel proud. Not least deserving of recognition is the splendid work being clone by the provincial patriotic councils and the various committees of the Lady Galway' Patriotic Guild throughout the Domin“l wish to thank you also. Mr Mayor, for the kind personal references which you have made in regard to Lady Galway and myself. I need not tell you that our activities would necessarily have been limited were it not for the valuable assistance and encouragement we have received on all sides. In Wellington, where our home has been for the greater part, both we and our children are deeply sensible of many kindnesses ancl friendly acts. I take this opportunity of expressing our grateful thanks ancl appieciation of all you have done for us.” IIIS SUCCESSOR His Excellency added lie would like to bespeak for Sir Cyril and Lady Newall the same measure of friendly goodwill and generous encouragement that had been invariably accorded him. He felt New Zealand was fortunate that such an able man was to come

t i [ | here, bringing the full knowledge ac- • quired by direct contact with the War ( Cabinet, which would make his advice j of greatest value to the Government. ■ He wished, he said, to pay great tribute to the Government f@r its con- | tribution to the Air Force, and specially tc congratulate the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, on his untiring efforts | to get the Air Force properly organised. For a long time they had envisaged the awful possibility that the Empire might again be involved in war. In ; discussions with the late Prime Minister. Mr Savage, who had been most helpful, he had said that what would pilots. Training schools were established. and the only factor that held them back was the shortage of training planes. because Great Britain cculd not spare any. They had tried to look ahead, said the Governor-General, to prepare and envisage what would be required in t-me of trouble. He thought the work the Air Force was - now doing showed their planning had been in the right j direction. It was with great reluctance that I Lady Galway and he came to say farewell. It had been suggested they might return to revisit the Dominion, but the rules were that it must be a long time before a Governor-General could revisit the country where he had experienced such happy times. He would be the last to ask for any relaxation of the rules. But if on some great occasion they were invited by the Government to revisit the Dominion, they would do so with great joy. They j wished the people of New Zealand | good-bye and every possible good wish | the Almighty could shower upon them. I