OUR NEW GOVERNOR

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12014, 17 December 1924, Page 7

OUR NEW GOVERNOR

WELUNfiTON’S WARM WELCOME BIG GATHERING AT TS2H KALI ' i HIS EXCELLENCY’S SPEECH Their Excellencies Sir Charles Fergusson, the new Go-vernor-General of the Dominion, and Lady Fergusson, received their official welcome at the hands of the City at .the Town Hall last evening, when the utmost capacity of the building was taxed to accommodate those who desired to express their goodwill in person. In fact, all except reserved seats were occupied 'half-an-hour before the ceremony began. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright) presided, and the gathering was a very representative one, almost every Consulate being represented The stage was decorated with floral and foliage plants, flags, and overhanging the centre of the platform was a banner, inscribed “Welcome from the citizens of Wellington.” As the Vice-Regal party entered the hall, the strains of the National Anthem proceeded from the organ, at which Mr Bernard Page, city organist, presided. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister (Mr W. F. Massey), the Minister for Defence (Sir Heaton Rhodes), the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout), Major-General Melvill, and others who were unavoidably out of Wellington.

THE FIRST RECEPTION

BY A MUNICIPALITY MAYOR WRIGHT’S ADDRESS. His Worship the Mayor said he was sure the gathering that evening would be pleasing to Their Excellencies, seeing it was the first public reoeption by a, municipality given to them on coming to New Zealand, and they would discover during their term of office that the people of Wellington were loyal to His Majesty the King and his representatives. (Applause.) Sir Charles Fergusson said he had been a soldier all his life, and his record showed service in the Grenadier Guards in 1883 until recently, was with the Egyptian Army many years, seeing active service there, and doing excellent work. In 1914-18, .during the great war, he was in change of the Fifth Division, and subsequently the Second and Seventeenth Army Corps, but what appealed to them most was the fact that in 1918 he had the New Zealand Artillery under his charge for the last three months of the war. Sir Charles had already told them what other leaders of the army had told them, that the men of New Zealand made most excellent soldiers, and did fine work. It was a fortunate thing that Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson were not strangers to these shores (Applause.) They could not plead that, they had been taken in because they knew beforehand what New Zealand people were like, and what they were likely to expect, but thev were more honoured by the fact that Sir diaries, knowing something ot them, desired to come among them and bake charge for His Miajesty the King. WELLINGTON WEATHER. In his opening address wnen sworn in Sir Charles Fergusson delivered his remarks in exquisite taste, and sincerity, and if he had any misgivings about making his way in New Zealand sr-oli speeches would go far to capture the hearts of New Zealanders. They wore both Scots Soots people in New Zealand proved themselves worthy colonists, and citizens, and Their Excellencies would, find among English, Scottish and Dish people many staunch friends. They arrived in New Zealand on the 13th day of (tile month. Friday was a perfect day and Monday was a perfect day, but wliat about Saturday? (Laughter.) But they were only showing Their Excellencies something of their own weather in their own conn • try to remind them of the land thev had left behind. (Laughter.) They would find the people of New Zealand thoroughly loyal to His Majesty the King and his representative. His Excellency would make many friends throughout the Dominion, and when he did oome to leave these shores he would have made many thousands of friends from one end of the Dominion to the other. The Mayor then proceeded' to read the address from the Wellington City Council.

CIVIC ADDRESS

KING’S ACTION APPRECIATED. REPRESENTATIVE OF DISTINGUISHED FAMILY. The Mayor presented to the Gover-nor-General the following address on behalf of the councillors and citizens of Wellington:— To His Excellency, General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart., LL.D., G.C.M.G., K.C.8., fa.S.O., M.V.0., Governor - General ana Com-mander-in-Chief of the Dominion of New Zealand and its dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— We, the Mayor, Councillors and Citizens of Wellington, loyal and dutiful subjects of His Most Gracious Majestv King George the Fifth, extend to Your Excellency a most cordial and hearty welcome to New Zealand, to enter upon the high and honourable office of Governor-General of this Dominion and its dependencies. We welcome you to this, the Capital City, and appreciate our privilege in being the first to greet you. You are not a stranger to New Zealand, though it is many years since you were here, but during that time our growth has been so rapid and full, that you will fail to recognise in the Dominion over which you will preside as His Majesty's representative, the land and people known to your boyhood, when your late father, the Right Honourable Sir James Fergusson, was Governor. Members of your family have for generations past won distinction in public life, and we heartily appreciate the action of His Majesty in selecting as his representative here one whose family history has been so closely associated with tJhe public life of the Empire, and one whose personal career has been so distinguished and successful in the service of the State. In connection with your eminent services in the Great War, we are pleased and proud to Tecall the fact that in that struggle you were associated with our Expeditionary Force, a Brigade of New Zealand Artillery having been attached to yonr command. Her Excellency Lady Fergusson, also, is not a stranger to U 9, she having been in New Zealand with her father, ex-Governor* the late Earl of

Glasgow. Wo now heartily welcome her as the wife of our new GovernorGeneral, and earnestly trust that both she and her family may have a very pleasant time in. this Dominion. We offer Your Excellency every assurance of the loyal and Teady support and assistance of all sections of our community in the carrying out of the various duties, social and official, of your high office. May the blessing of the Almighty ever rest upon Your Excellency in the discharge of all the functions appertaining to your administration, and may you have a very happy and successful term of office in New Zealand.

SIR FRANCIS BELL’S ADDRESS

MESSAGE FROM THE PREMIER. The Hon. Sir Francis Bell, representing the Ministry, read a message from the Prime Minister who was unable to be present. Mr Massey said it was with sincere regret rant owing to indisposition he was unable to join personally that evening with the citizens of Wellington in extending to Their Excellencies a most cordial welcome.- He took the opportunity of again expressing the great pleasure it gayp us to assure Their Excellencies of our good wishes for their happiness during their stay in our midst. The Dominion had been fortunate in the selection of so distinguished a person as their sovereign’s representative. He knew he could speak for the whole of the people of New Zealand in hoping that Their Excellencies would enjoy their sojourn amongst us, and would find the climate and surroundings conjenial. “THEP SENT US A MAN.” Sir Francis Bell said it was fifty fears since the period of Sir James ’ergUßSon’s Governorship ended, and only 27 years since Lord and Lady Glasgow left. Sir Francis was Mayor of Wellington when Lord Glasgow arrived and again when they left. He well remembered the great gathering which assembled to farewell them,— those who had endeared themselves to thousands of the people of New Zeealand. If Lady Alice’s welcome was made by these memories, His Exoellency had made his own. His speech on his arrival had made his place assured and his welcome throughout New Zealand. One who had been cynical had remarked after that speech: “Sir Francis, he’ll do. They've sent us a man.” ADVANCE IN STATUS. The self-governing dominions had attained an advance in Status since their days as colonies. If that advancement had curtailed the independent discretion exercisable by the Governors, the labour and responsibility of the officers had been enormously increased. The sole possessor of the cypher for communication between here and England was His Excellency, and most of the communications nowadays were secret. Formerly messages came: “His Majesty’s Ministers intend.” Now they said “Hia Majesty's Ministers propose and desire the information of the advisers of the dominion.” Most of the messages now were secret, and they passed through the GovernorGeneral, as he was the channel of communication between Prime Ministers, who were continually in conference. The Prime Ministers of the dominions wore glad to confer with the Governor-General if he was a man of world-wide experience. For that reason His Majesty’s Ministers in New Zealand welcomed the acceptance of office by Lord Jellicoe because of his ■wide experience in war and peace, and none the less had they welcomed the appointment of Sir Charles Fergusson. The most important thing wgp that on the conclusion of the war the man chosen for command of the troops- in the Cologne area was Sir Charles Fergusson. A man must he possessed of recognised tact, firmness and sagacity before being even considered for such a position. New Zealanders were loyal to the Empire and to the King, and were determined that nothing should ewer server the bond that held the great Empire together.

LEADER OF OPPOSITION

NEW ZEALAND LAUDED. Mr T. M Wilford, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, counted it an honour to take part in. the welcome to Their Excellencies, because whatever differences there were in Parliament their were no differences in matters concerning the Empire. It was nob possible for a mistake to be made in the selection of an Ambassador of Empire, for his father knew the people of New Zealand and his son knew the people of New Zealand (Applause.) The address of Sir Charles when sworn in had been read from one end of triecountry to the other, and had given them the greatest confidence and faith. Mr Wilford proceeded to make humorous reference to the prevailing weather here, hut to it was due the fact that they had the lowest denth-rate in Australasia. Those who knew the personal equation would have no difficulty in getting close to the hearts of the peoplo of this Britain of the South Seas. They were welcoming Sir Charles and Lady Fergusson to their home. Sir Charles had left the home

of his fathers to come to tbeir home and they welcomed him. RESPONDING TO TYPE. Many good words had been said of the men of New Zealand, but had they not sprang from the stock from which His Excellency sprung? New Zealanders were 95 pei cent. British, and did they expect that in this far flung part of the Empire they would fail to respond to type. (Applause)? No! They had proven the metal that the Old Country had shown over and- over again. That was why they did not fail. (Applause.) No doubt some of those present in the hall could recall incidents of the Maori Wars, but to-day the Maoris and the Pakehas were living together in the greatest amity, and why? British rule was fair, the British flag stood for permanent good, and people who had travelled the world knew what it was worth to be under that flag. He hoped Their Excellencies would be very happy here. If he was fond of sport he could have the cleanest and best sport in ihe world. If there was a recreation known in Great Britain that ho preferred over another it was his under the best possible conditions. A SAILOR AND A SOLDIER. The last time New Zealand wanted a Governor they sent a sailor and the people of New Zealand loved him. (Applause.) This time they had sent a soldier, a gallant soldier. Surely there urns some wisdom in the powers that -be in the Old Land to send a sailor first and a soldier afterwards. There was something in it. There would not he much left to know when His Excellency’s term was up. (Applause.) There was some method in the sending he thought They were sure his mission would be a successful one, and the people of New Zealand were glad to see him.. “We welcome you from the bottom of our hearts,” concluded Mr Wilford. “We hope you will both he. happy, and if there is anything New Zealanders can do to make you happy consider it done.” (Hearty cheers.)

FOR THE COUNCILLORS

A WELCOME “HOME.” Councillor M. F. Luckie spoke for the city councillors. He said it was good to have as the representative of the sovereign a man whose father was known and respected in this country, and it was good that Her Excellency also came of parents known and loved in New Zealand. He welcomed Their Excellencies back to what he hoped they would regard as home.

HIS EXCELLENCY’S REPLY

THE PROGRESS OF WELLINGTON. Replying, the Governor-General returned the thanks of Her Exoellency and himself for the welcome tendered them It was a great satisfaction to them to find themselves in a city and a community of which they had the happiest recollections from their earlier days. The fact that their parents were in New Zealand years ago made their visit doubly interesting. He congratulated Wellington on the signs of progress he noticed. This progress was a striking testimony to the wise and farseeing policy of the authorities in re- | serving space for recreation and yet j providing far the business and. social ra- | quiroments of the community. He j was grateful for the assistance he knew he would have in carrying out. his du- | ties, and -he assured the people this | would be appreciated and would render his task easy and pleasant. ThOy looked forward greatly to becomings acquainted with the city of Wellington and its people. He thanked Wellington for its magnificent reception of Saturday last. It touched them to the heart, and it was difficult to express their feelings. It gave them more than pleasure. It gave the encouragement, which he felt they needed in undertaking these duties. The office of Governor-General of the Dominion was a high honour, ; hut it carried with it great responsibilities. He was not thinking so much of responsibilities of administration as of vision and understanding—how one could best pull one’s weight. What was needed was the touch of human sympathy. Lord Jellicoe possessed it and so also did his (Sir Charles’s) father and the late Lord Glasgow. . He and Her Excellency had returned to the scenes of their earlier days. Both of them had always looked.on Wellington as a second home and this was only natural, as children got attached to the place where they lived a long while. Wellington had changed a lot. The expansion was nothing short of marvellous. Nothing they could do in the way of building could possibly obliterate the outlines of what was one of the most beautiful 6pots in the world. IMBUED WITH IMPERIAL INSTINCT. There were other points which made "New Zealand attractive. It was a country of sailors and soldiers, a country which appealed to the heart of any sailor and soldier. The spirit was there, and it was the right one. It was a country of farmers, as was his own country, and it was the producers who made the wealth of the country. Those who oame to New Zealand had to become producers if they were going to make good in the Dominion. His great grandfather 150 years ago formed the Ayrshire Agricultural Society, one of the most progressive bodies of that nature in the whole of Scotland. Altogether it rejoiced him to come back to New Zealand, for this country stood for everything he believed in. First of all he put loyalty. From What he had heard and read of New Zealand ho said that loyalty was not a thing to be spoken of except with bated breath ' It was a real living force which permeated the community from end to end. The community was imbued with the Imperial instinct. The system of tlie training of youth proved it, the response to Empire service proved it; their readiness to bring their services within the reach of the Mother Country proved it. There might he political differences, hut in questions of Empire ail minor differences faded away in the unity of love for Empire., Ignorant of much he ought to know, he hoped to know much of those men who were doing so much to build up the Empire. So many of them were fellow countrymen of his own, whom he would be proud and glad to meet.

SYNONYMOUS WITH BRITISH RULE.

In New Zealand they lived side by side with a' great race with magnificent traditions, the Maoris, and they took their part in the Government of the country. They were fellow citizens, and New Zealand was a great illustration to the world in showing that right, justice, freedom and liberty weTe synonymous With British rule. The same applied to the Islands. which formed part of New Zealand. The same mutual respect and esteem existed between them. As Mr Massey had! said—and he much regretted his absence and the cause of it—if there was a great era of prosperity before New Zealand ho hoped it would be reflected throughout the whole of the Empire. So long as different sections of the Empire kept up their mutual goodwill, respect, affection, and 00-operation, the British Empire could hold up its head and face the whole world with confidence. For that reason he rejoiced in what Mr Massey had said. In his opinion the piospect® of great development of the

Imperial idea and consequent prosperity of the British Empire were never eo bright as they were at present. MANY HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS. In conclusion, His Excellency Bawl: “Again I thank .you on behalf of Her Excellency, and myself for the kindness and generosity in your welcome. It tcuches us deeply. I have many hopes and aspirations, many dreams before me; whether they will come true or not I don’t know. I have much to learn, and I shall make some mistakes, hut the kindness of your welcome leads me to hope that in your indulgence you will have patience with the inexperience and that you will be generous to the mistakes. Will you please take, us as you find us, believing that we have the real interests of the Dominion at heart. We hope to find some way in which we can he of use. New Zealand has been called l the country of opportunity for all. That I take it re fera as much to the new GovernorGeneral as to the new settler, and our earnest prayer is that we may he able to see and grasp these opportunities, and use them for the best in your interests.” (Loud applause.) The proceedings concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. During "the evening items of entertainment were provided as follows: — Quartette, “The Ash Grove,” Messrs Bennett. Robbins, Howe, and Svenson; song, "Sleep a Little While, White Pearl,” Miss Helen Gard’neT; song, “Vision fugitive,” Mr Len Barnes; song, “Joy,” Miss Helen Gard’ner; song, “At Night,” Mr Len Barnes; quartette, “0 Peaceful Night.” Messrs Bennett, Rohhins, Howe, and Svenson.