WELLINGTON’S TRIBUTE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 16

WELLINGTON’S TRIBUTE.

WELLINGTON, June 1. Wellington’s farewell to Lord Plunket took place at the Town nail this evening. The hall was filled with a' representative gathering. The Prime Minister, Hons. J. Carol], Hon. D. Buddo, the local M.P.’s, the Mayor of Wellington and councillors, the Mayors of surrounding districts, and other notables occupied seats on the platform. The veterans occupied the front row of the hall, and the Highland Rifles formed a guard of honour at the entrance. The Mayor, who presided, said he desired, on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, to wish Lord Plunket bon voyage. If evidence were needed of the esteem in which he was held by the citizens of Wellington the gathering must appeal to him. On their behalf he thanked him most heartily for his ready response to calls made by those in and around the city, and to ask him to carry Home the loyalty felt -both by the pakeha and those who were equally worthy. This Hogninion depends for its maintenance upon a navy, and he ashed his Excellency to mention the matter in the Homeland. He referred" to Lord Plunket’s good work in New Zealand and asked that the sincere appreciation of the Empire City be conveyed to Lady Plunket. He apologised for the absence of the Chief Justice and the Bishop, and presented Lord Plunket with a silver and greenstone casket on behalf of the citizens of Wellington, as a token of goodwill and esteem. In conclusion, he said ; “ We are one in thought and endeavour with the country you are going to.” The musical programme consisted of an organ solo by Mr Maughan Barnett, a by Mr J. P. Carr, whistling solo by Borneo Gardiner, and a selection by the Garrison Band. _ The Wellington Branch of the Royal New Zealand Association of Veterans presented to the Governor the following address:—“ We, the veterans of this district, take this opportunity of thanking you for all the sympathy and kindness shown to us by you while Governor and president. We wish you a safe and pleasant voyage Home. In wishing you farewell and God-speed, we hope you and Lady Plunket will enjoy the best of health, and that you will always enjoy the best of hapipiness and prosperity this universe can give you is the earnest desire of the veterans.” Sir Joseph Ward said he joined with the citizens of Wellington In paying respect to his Excellency. A Governor’s tasKwas not an easy one. Th© Governor had to deliver speeches all pver the country, and must not say a word that even the most j fastidious could take exception to. He helped to maintain the Constitution of New Zealand in a worthy manner,' and he ! (the speaker) had seen him deliver half

a dozen speeches a day to country people, town people, and school children. How valuable it would be if some people in the Old Land could take a steamer and gchere in a week and see the place and people. We ought to feel pleased in sending away a gentleman who was an ambassador of good and help to the country. When Lord Plunked came here we had) one of the greatest Prime Ministers this country had ever seen. During Lord ! Plunet’s term he had passed away to his long home, and there had sprung up a desire to be attached to the Mother Country. We all realised the desirability of keeping in a- concrete form the scat-' tered portions of the Empire. King Edward had also passed away to has long home. These were memorable events during his Excellency’s term. Lord Plunket had taken an active part in the social affair's of New Zealand, and had always done his duty in a dignified manner. Sir Joseph referred feelingly to Lady Plunket and the good work she had done. They would always remember Lady Plunket moving about the country as a charming lady, leaving behind her pleasant memories. He had the greatest respect for Lord Plunket’s political interest which he had displayed, and thanked him accord-: ingly. ' On behalf of himself and his colleagues he wished health and long happiness to Lord Piunket, Lady Plunket, and family.—Loud applause.) Mr H. C. Tewsley (chairman of the Chamber of Commerce) and Mr E. R. Fletcher (chairman of the Harbour Board) also referred to the good works of Lord Plunket, and feelingly nien&jned Lady Plunket’s connection with young New Zealanders and impecunious and indigent mothers. The Governor said few things could have given him more pleasure than to receive such a welcome, for it was true that a prophet has no honour in his own country. It was probable that a Governor was more liable to criticism at his headquarters than in the towns in which he only occasionally stayed. He claimed to have become deeply devoted to this lovely, country, its people, and its future: If he gauged the minds of those present, he should say that they were full of sentiment and devotion to the throne and Constitution, and that pride in the Empire was deep-seated in New Zealanders’ hearts. He did not say this to encourage a jingo sentiment, or raise an idle cheer. New Zealanders were loyal to the Crown, not only from sentiment, but with reason, for in this young country, the New Zealander had known none but good Sovereigns. “He stands fast by the Constitution because it has given him the best regulated system of free Government the world has ever known, and he is proud, of the Empire because that Empire stands for justice, not aggression, because it has stood by him in his youth, because be is now taking a man’s part in it himself.” Words failed him to express bow deeply he honoured and admired the common sense and practical patriotism of the people of the Dominion—the patriotism which could not be claimed by any. particular class or by any political party. His six years had been on the whole years of great prosperity and great materialprogress. Tile imports and exports had* during his ter n increased by £7,296,000, and now stood at the enormous total of £35,336,000. He wished he could say the increase in population was in proportion, for its relative slow growth was, he ventured earnestly to suggest to the people of New Zealand, one ever-looming danger in a prospect otherwise without a cloud. “Your status,” he said, “among rising nations, your value in the Empire’s general defence, and, above all, your very existence as a free land d 'pend under God’s providence upon this question being resolutely faced. New Zealand has a noble birthright and prospects of a splendid future. May every blessing be yours is the sincere wish of Lady Plunket and myself.”