THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24540, 24 February 1941, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL

ARRIVAL IN CAPITAL INSTALLATION CEREMONY AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME GREETING BY PRIME MINISTER (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 22. Sir Cyril and Lady Newall and family arrived this morning in brilliant weather. The Administrator, Sir Michael Myers, who was accompanied by the Clerk of the Executive Council, entered the vice-regal carriage and greeted Sir Cyril. The station platform was decorated with flags, and a red carpet led to the edge of the platform, beyond which was drawn up a guard of honour from the Army School at Trentham and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Just after 9 o’clock the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser, entered the .carriage, and shortly afterwards Sir Cyril Newall set foot in Wellington. He received a royal salute, following which, together with the Administrator and the chiefs of. the staffs, he inspected the guard of honour, while the Air Force Band played in slow measure a Maori melody, “E Pari Ra.” After the inspection Mr Fraser presented to Sir Cyril and Lady Newall the Ministers of the Crown and their wives, the High Commissioners for the United Kingdom and Canada and their wives, members of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives and their wives, the chiefs of staffs and the Commissioner of Police. The ceremony at the station closed with a royal salute. Wreath on War Memorial All these proceedings were watched from outside by an interested public, which gathered also at the vehicle exits and cheered as the cars left for the Citnzens’ War Memorial, where Sir Cyril was presented to the representatives of the Wellington and New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association, and placed a wreath. Sir Cyril Newall was then driven to the' Town Hall., and introduced by Mr Fraser to the Mayor and Mayoress. The ceremony there was informal, the Mayor (Mr T. C. A. Hislop), introducing the councillors and their wives and the chief officers of the council. A quarter of an hour later Sir Cyril and Lady Newall, carrying a bouquet of gladioli, drove to Government House, accompanied by spontaneous cheers from the people who gathered outside the hall. The vice-regal party left Government House at 10.50. and as they proceeded through the city for Parliament House 20 Royal Air Force machines roared overhead, in formation. The scene in Parliament grounds was very brilliant, everything being beflagged, and the flower beds bright with colour. The ceremonial took place under a cloudless sky. A large crowd had gathered. Besides the guard of honour, 300 returned men were drawn up at the dais. Preceded by two mounted policemen, the cars’ arrived precisely on time, Sir Cyril alighting as the clock struck 11. He saluted as the present arms was given and the opening bars of the National Anthem were played. After 'an inspection of the guard of honour he returned to Lady Newall, and their Excellencies mounted the dais to a ripple of applause. The Formal Rites The warrant of appointment was read by Mr T. R. Aickm. and Sir Cyril Newall took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office, administered by Sir Michael Myers. The guard gave the royal salute, and the opening bars of the National Anthem were again played, his Excellency taking the salute. Sir Cyril Newall, in returning thanks for the welcome, said they were deeply touched and encouraged by the warmth and sincerity of the welcome, and felt that they were already among friends. They wanted themselves to be regarded riot as strangers, but as friends. Their arrival was the climax of many months of anticipation. He gave an assurance of their intention to devote themselves to the welfare of New Zealand. He brought a personal message from the King, who had commanded him to, convey his Majesty’s wishes to the Government and people of New Zealand. His Majesty recognised with gratitude the assistance New Zealand was giving in the prosecution of the war, and was confident that their labours would be rewarded with victory and a just and lasting peace. x . . ... Both speeches were punctuated with applause. • , , ~ Sir Cyril Newall then inspected the parade of returned men under Colonel A. Cowles. He shook hands with and chatted with a number of men. On returning to the steps of Parliament House, he again took the royal salute. There were cheers from the returned men and the crowd as their Excellencies left. . .

The whole ceremony was impressive, not only for its formality and meticulous detail, but the particularly fine bearing and precision of movement shown by the guard and Air Force Band also aroused the admiration of all who were present. The spontaneity of the cheering, too, was unmistakable. their Excellencies and their family making an immediate appeal to the citizens of Wellington.

LETTER OF THANKS APPRECIATION OF WELCOME (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 22. Sir Cyril Newall ■has sent the following letter from Government House, Wellington, dated February 22, to the Prime Minister, Mr P. Fraser;— “My Dear Prime Minister, “ I wish to take this, my first opportunity, of conveying to you an expression of the deep appreciation of Lady Newall and myself of the excellent arrangements which were made in connection with our arrival in New Zealand. It was evident that the greatest care had been , taken in every detail to make the formal ceremonies the success they undoubtedly were, and 1 should be glad if my warm thanks could be conveyed to all those who were responsible for the organisation of the ceremonies. “I was much impressed by the fine bearing of the guard of honour drawn from the officer cadet training unit at Trentham Camp and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and by their smartness and the high standard of the drill. Particularly, pleasing to me was the appearance and efficiency of the Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, which is deserving of warm congratulation. I am also appreciative of the compliment paid us by the air escort from Government House to Parliament Buildings. “It was most gratifying to Lady Newall and myself to see so many people assembled in the streets to and from the swearing-in ceremony, and in the grounds of Parliament Buildings and we were deeply sensible of the friendly spirit in which they acknowledged our presence amongst them. , “ May I add a final word of thanks to the Government for its consideration in making available a special train for the journey from Auckland to Wellington. After our long voyage from the Homeland, this regard for our comfort and convenience over the last stage of the journey was greatly appreciated. Yours very sincerely. (Signed) C. L. N. Newall.”

GOVERNMENT WELCOME TRIBUTE BY MR FRASER SIR CYRIL’S WAR RECORD A TIMELY APPOINTMENT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb, 22. The Prime Minister (Mr P. Fraser), extending a welcome on behalf of the Government and people, assured Sir Cyril and Lady Newall of their most earnest, desire that their stay in New Zealand might be happy. They would find the. people imbued with all the characteristics, the spirit, and the highest traditions of the British race, men and women who were inspired with • fervent wish to share to the full with their kinsfolk in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the task of defending their lives and liberties, and in preserving a Christian civilisation and the democratic way of life. Mr Fraser took the opportunity of stating that we appreciated more than words could tell the splendid and inspiring example of their Majesties the King and Queen, who were willingly and courageously sharing all the dangers to which the heroic people of Britain were exposed. Distinguished Air Record The Prime Minister said New Zealand had embarked upon the war effort with a firm determination to strain every nerve and sinew and spare no sacrifice to ma T e its contribution the fullest and most effective within its power. He assured his Excellency that we faced the future with no other feelings but those of full confidence in ultimate victory. In this grave and critical hour it was a matter of great satisfaction that a Governor-General with so distinguished a record should have come to live in our midst. It was most appropriate in the present circumstances that the representative of the King should come from the armed services and from among the most conspicuous of those who had given such unstinted services to the Empire during the present conflict “We count ourselves singularly fortunate on this occasion that New Zealand should have as Governor-General an airman of such exceptional experience, one whose profound knovvle of the problems of modern warfare in all its phases demands the very highes* respect, and one whose achievement in building up the R.A.F. until it has become the finest in the world, commands the undying gratitude of the British people,” said Mr Fraser. The Prime Minister said the welcome was extended on behalf of both races. Maori and pakeha, stressing how they were bound together in a common destiny and freely united once again in offering their blood in defence of democratic ideals. Eagerness for Task “I can. assure you with all sincerity that no Governor-General designate ever arrived with greater enthusiasm and eagerness to know both races of yciir people, your wonderful country and all it stands for in the British Empire and the world.” said Sir Cyril Newall in reply. “We have read a great deal about New Zealand and her history,- and the more we read- the greater is our admiration of those noble pioneers and settlers and of the ideals which governed their great adventure in yoQr country’s early development. “ Our great desire Is,” Sir Cyril said, “ we may devote our lives to the service of New Zealand and the Empire in this hour of darkness and that, together with’the people . of New Zealand, we may welcome the dawn of a new and sunlit world in which we can all live in Reace and security, and devote our ves to the furtherance of those traditions and Ideals which, we all cherish so dearly.” Sir Cyril mentioned that, shortly before leaving England, his wife and he spent a most interesting time with the New Zealand army units. The Maori Battalion after the parade sang- for them and gave them a haka. He also spent a night with the New Zealand bomber squadron, which has been doing such excellent work. All seemed to be fit and happy and ready for anying and would, he knew, when the time came, show that the fighting spirit of Anzac still lived. Calmness in Britain He said the people of England were cheerful and calm and fully realised the danger at their very gates. They were united in an inflexible determination that the scourge which had beset the ideals of freedom and democracy should be stamped out from the face of the earth for good and all. The spirit of the people of England was truly magnificent. They could not be beaten by. intimidation arid their resolution grew. It was the citizens of the Homeland who were bearing the brunt of the attack and sacrifices beyond belief were being made daily and willingly not only for themselves but for all the peoples of. the Empire and for democracy throughout the world.