VICE-REGAL JOURNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 11

VICE-REGAL JOURNEY.

// TAURANGA TO TE aiioha.

WELCOME at matamata

JNTEREST IN THE CHILDREN

FARMERS' COURAGE APPLAUDED

[Bt TELEGRAPH.— SrECIAL REPORTER. ] " TE AROHA, Friday.

journey that at times bordered upon (he hazardous marked the beginning of today's stag-' of the tour of the GovernorGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, and the Lady pledisloe. Leaving Tauranga at 10 o'clock this morning, Their Excellencies reached To Aroha shortly after three o'clock, several stofis being made en route.

■\Yhen the Vice-Regal party left Taurang'l, '' ie slin was fining brightly, tho panorama of countryside as seen during the climb up tho Kaimai Ranges being bathed in light. A dull sky ahead betokened misty weather, and before the top of the range:; was reached, a heavy mist that settled on tho mountains blotted ( lmcst everything from sight. It, was possible to see only a few feet »head, and the utmost care was needed jn driving up the tortuous and slippery Over the crest and for most of the down the Matamata side of the hills tbs mist hung thickly, hiding the edge of the road and tho precipitous banks below. Flowers Thrown into Car.

Just as tlie Vice-Regal car was em erging im:o a "brighter atmosphere, a small group of women and children appeared beside the road and tossed a bunch of flowers into Their Excellencies' car. Thev stopped and informally acknowledged this wayside tribute. By the time the Te Poi school was reached, the mist had been left brhind, but the sky was now overcast. Tho children of the school were assembled round the gate and cheered as the ViceRegal car palled up. Two small children we re lifted on high and presented Their Excellencies with posies of violets. Thoir Excellencies stepped to the road, and Lord Bledisloe briefly addressed the children, telling them' that both their lungs and loyalty were sound. After inspecting the school, tho party left, being cheered about a mile ilirther alonf the road -by the children of tho Mangawhero school, who had assembled at the roadside. Matamata was reached about mid-day, a welcome being extended in front of the municipal chambers by the Mayor, Mr. J. Buchanan. Scouts, Guides and High School pupils were assembled in formation- in the centre of the crowd of residents. Loyalty to the Grown.

His Excellency said he was glad to express his appreciation of the loyalty of.Matamata people to the Crown. At present, when monarchies were crumbling, it was gratifying to know that the British monarchy was more firmly established than ever before. Commenting on the presence of boys and girls, lie said" he wanted to make a special appeal to all who had tho interests of the country at heart to look after the young people, and not let them drift into idleness and stagnation. Even if they could not .give them paid employment, they should keep them busy with eyes, hands and minds until better times came. After lunching at Matamata, Their Excellencies left' for Te Aroha. _ They stopped to inspect the Waharoa dairy factory, and further on the road were greeted by the children from the Wai civile school

A call was made at Manawaru, where Lord Bledisloe inspected a farm property on which the ravages of the grass grub were apparent, and then the Waihou school was visited. Greeting from Residents.

Upon arriving at Te Aroha, they were met at the Hot Springs Hotel by the Mayor, Mr. K. Coulter, and the Hon. C. £. Macmiltan. Minister of Agriculture and member for the district. A large crowd of residents gave them greeting, and Their Excellencies then adjourned to the domain, ..where a large crowd of school children assembled round a decorated open-air platform. A guard of lionoui was provided by High School cadets, and Scouts and Guides from Waitoa were present in formation. The Sl ' n was rhining brightly once again, and the scene was inspiring in its beautiful setting. In addressing the children Lord Bledisloe said he was proud to the King, who was a very good man and who set a good example to young and olfi. as did the Queen. 'His Excellency then presented a number of silver cups to children successful in calf club competitions. . This evening, when the town's official welcome was given, an atmosphere of carnival reigned. Coloured lights were suspended across the street and tho Municipal Band plaved lively airs. The Thea re Royal, in which the gathering was held, gaily decorated and filled with pcop e. In welcoming Their Excellencies, tho Mayor said Te Aroha yielded to none in loyalty to the King and in appreciation of Their Excellencies' interest in the we]l aie of New Zealand. Particularly d:d they appreciate their kindly interest in tie children. Lord Bledisloe, who received an ovation, Kpressed sympathy with those su , er from unemployment and he referred o e three great conferences engaging he a tention cf the world, Geneva, i-ausanne and Ottawa. With regard to world msannamen':, "the events of the past 100 days led him to hope that without any •erio'js effect on Empire security there might he a reduction in tho burdens o *nnamen:s. , On the matter of war debts and reparations, it would be a world disaster M Germany were allowed to go nn mpt. All were coming to the same view, that it would .bo a happy issue from the Present afflictions to wipe the slate clean war debts and reparations, if possible, w as to build up once more toward a Period of prosperity.

Empire Trade Parliament. What n ; as to he (he greatest Empire trade Parliament yet assemble] was to •nke place shortly at Ottawa. He hoped they were all optimistic as t° the pi Pect. as a result of the conference, of boilditic un an economic structure a *°uld stand (he buffeting of_ adversity. ■He urged the need for reciprocity ot Preferences' b c'tween Britain and N* w Zealand arid for purchasing by New /-ealandeis of British goods when they could "ot he supplier] on an economic basis hv Dominion itself. By purchasing the Products of British workmen they ueie piping them to buy New Zealand prod,lct 5. Danish butter was not as good a * the best Te Aroha butter, but Pen"Wrlt's success was in the uniformity ol ' lfr products. , His Excellency congratulated thl ? f;u ' m . frs °f the district on their splendid land ftI «l upen their courage in times ot Duripg the past 40 years he I)a d mi:ce'd wiih farmers more than witn a iv other sections of the community, u hf had rever vet encounteipd fai'incis m"ic lightened, more hopefully adventurous, o re optimistic, or'with more of those British qualities which made for sucCes s, than the farmers of New Zealand. Their Excellencies will leave Te 1 io in "•niorrow morning for Morrinsvill© an Cambridge, where the tour will conclu c afternoon.