NEW GOVERNOR

Southland Times, Issue 19393, 6 November 1924, Page 5

NEW GOVERNOR

ENTERTAINED IN LONDON. SIR CHARLES FERGUSSON IN REMINISCENT VEIN. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright). (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, November 4. At a Colonial Institute luncheon to the New Zealand Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, and the Tasmanian Governor, Sir James O’Grady (whose Knighthood was announced to-day), the Chairman, Sir G. Y. Lagden, recalled Labour’s repudiation of the previous Government’s agreement with Overseas Dominions. He hoped never again could such a conference be rendered abortive, and that a way would be found to avoid such a risk in the future. .Never was there a time when the Empire stood more in need of being strongly united, both for its own preservation and the preservation of the peace of the world. He declared that one drop of a good New Zealander’s blood was worth all the blood of all the Bolshies. (Laughter and- cheers.) Sir Charles Fergusson, in responding to the toast, recalled arriving at Adelaide in 1868, travelling on a horsedrawn railway, and admiring the red coats outside Government House. He suggested that his military career dated therefrom. He proceeded in 1872 to New Zealand with his father, who explored the New Zealand Sounds and found he was unable to cast anchor. He further recalled that his father introduced trout into New Zealand from his 'Scottish estate. Sir Charles humorousely anticipated that as a fisherman he would have a cordial welcome from the trout. He quoted from a Scottish paper of 1872 eulogising the unflinching loyalty of New Zealanders in the face of rebuffs and disappointments, the princely bearing of the natives, and the potentialities of a country calculated to receive millions of their fellow countrymen. He thought the same might be written to-day. He concluded by stating his belief that on the consolidation of the Empire depended the peace and security of the world. The prospect of an honourable connection for five years with New Zealand was extremely pleasing. (Cheers.) Sir James O’Grady said he expected to make mistakes, but he hoped to keep up his office with dignity and honour to the King. It would be a novel experience for an Irishman not to be able to fight. (Laughter.) He hoped his 35 years’ experience of the Labour question would be a help to the people of Tasmania. He stated that he would sail on November 15, he believed with the good wishes of the whole people of Britain. (Cheers.)