GOVERNOR – GENERAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18887, 9 December 1924, Page 10

GOVERNOR - GENERAL.

DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S DINNER.

SPEECH BY SIR C. FERGUSSON.

[from our own correspondent. ]

LONDON. Nov. 4.

Prior to his departure from England for Now Zealand General Sir Charles Fergusson, the Governor-General designate, was entertained at a farewell dinner at the Hotel Cecil by Sir James Allen, High Commissioner for New Zealand, and Lady Allen. There were 90 guests present, most of them New Zeaianders, but a dozen others, not New Zeaianders, were among the special guests. A reception was held during the halfhour preceding the dinner, and this provided an opportunity for friendly chat, and for New Zeaianders to meet their new Governor. The guests sat down at 11 round tables. On Sir James Allen's right was Lady Alice Fergusson. Others at the chief table were Sir Charles Fergusson, Major-General Sir Andrew and Lady Russell, Sir Joseph and Lady Cook, Major-General Sir Alexander Godioy, Sir Edward and Lady Chaytor, Lady Allen, the Rt. Hon. J. H. Thomas, retiring Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lady \vaie, Lady McLeod, and Sir Thomas Mackenzie.

Sir James Allen, in proposing the toast of Sir Charles Fergusson, said that it was a unique occasion, as they were sending out a son of a previous Governor and tho daughter of a previous Governor of New Zealand to be the GovernorGeneral and the lady of the GovernorGeneral. He was • sure . they would receive in New Zealand a very hearty welcome, 'and they would be more welcomed, if it were possible, because their fathers had been out there before.

J A number of years ago, said Sir James, : a bill was presented, in the New Zealand i Parliament which provided for the elec- ; tion of their own Governor. That ; idea is now dead," said the High Commisj sioner, " and long may it lie dead. If ; there is one thing we are in New Zealand, it is that we are loyal to tho Crown and Constitution—if there is one thing mora than anything else it is our associations with tho Mother Country and the other Dominions under one Crown and j one flag. The Governor-General goes out to New Zealand as the representative of His Majesty the King, and is dear to us because he is the embodiment to us of those ideals of freedom, right, justice and all that is valuable in our great Constitution and our Empire. .We seek nothing else than to remain under tho Crown, with a representative of His Majesty the King in our midst doing all that ho can, and doing that which the King does for the Mother Land here, to rub off the rough corners when sometimes they arise, and to keep us in the way of proper constitutional and Parliamentary Government."

General Fergusson's Speech. " Whatever doubt there may have been in my.mind and in that of my wife's," said Sir Charles Fergusson, " as to the welcome which wo were likely 'to receive in New Zealand has been partly dispelled by the extraordinarily kind reception which you have given us already this evening. I have noticed on one or two occasions when a new Primo Minister onters office that he has been accustomed to say to the admiring crowds that throng around him that ho required, not so much their good wishes, as their prayers. " I am bound to say I feel rather in that position myself, because you will understand that; however rejoiced one is to bo in harness again, at tho same time ono knows that tho harness is somewhat unfamiliar, and that one has no illusions whatever as to one's temerity in undertaking duties of such high office. I only hope that it may not be looked on as a case of ' fools rush in where angels —or may I say, admirals—(laughter), fear to tread!' " ' '

" I have no qualifications for administration of that sort. I have to learn it all and that is an honest and sincere confession for which I ask for indulgence. I hope to do ray best. The task is not made easier by the fact that one is following a distinguished predecessor man of attainments and experience, with whom I cannot in any way possibly compete. The only thing one can say is that_ one hopes by remembering whom one is following that that may be the best way of carrying on the duties successfully. Lord Jellicoe has set an example in every way which will be difficult to follow, but which if one docs succeed ib following one can hardly go wrong."

A Remarkable Prophecy. It was interesting, Sir Charles continued, to look at what his father had said 50 years ago as regards the prospects of the country. A • great part was directed to pointing out the wise policy that had been pursued with regard to the expenditure of public money in development, particularly in communications. He pointed out that the whole future of the country depended on the development in that particular line. Evidently thero was at that time a considerable { difference of opinion on that point. Tho Government had gone far beyond what was considered right and proper in the way of expenditure. His father in alluding to that took a most optimistic view of the future. No matter if the expenditure had been double, New Zealand's enormous reserves, climate, ■ and everything else would amply repay that in a few years to come. It was interesting, said Sir Charles / to look back and to see that that optimism had been justified. In conclusion, Sir Charles said: "I, my wife, and daughter, are going out to New Zealand, hoping to please, meaning to please. We hope to be useful in every possible way in which we can be useful. We are all interested in the things that interest tho New Zealand people, particularly in all matters which pertain to I the training of youth—Boy Scouts, Girl I Guides, rifle-shooting, cadets, and so on, | —in . ail those things wo are heart and soul with the peoplo of New Zealand. I Whether wo can play our part remains !to be seen. We shall do our best. We ; do most sincerely assure you we are very happy to renew our associations with New Zealand and hope to make very many more friends when we get there." Sir Thomas Mackenzie, in his speech, referred to Sir Charles Fergusson's remarks concerning his father's prophecy of New Zealand's future. That, lie $<•••' had to do with Sir Julius Vogel's public ; works and immigration policy. Sir Julius Yogi ' was before his lime. New Zealand bail \ast tracts of unoccupied lamb without, communication and population. His policy was to develop the country. Prior to 1874 New Zealand was suffering from severe depression. Sir Julius Vogel's policy lifted the country out of that depression, and since then I it had never looked back.

ARRIVAL ON SATURDAY.

WELCOME AT WELLINGTON.

|_BV TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Monday.

A wireless message has been received from the captain of the Ruahine, the vessel which is bringing the GovernorGeneral designate, Sii- Charles Fergusson, to New Zealand, stating that, it' the weather conditions remain favourable the ship should arrive at Wellington about 7 o'clock on Saturday morning. Arrangements are now in hand for the welcome of Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson to Wellington. After he leaves tho Ruahine- Sir Charles will bo welcomed by tho Harbour Board. The City Council will formally bid Their Excellencies welcome to the city as they leave the wharf, (his ceremony being a brief one. The city will express its welcome at a civic, reception. The swearing-in 'ceremony will be performed by the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, on Saturday afternoon.