THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1921, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

The initial official visit of the GovernorGeneral and Lady Jellicoe to Northern Taranaki has been a success in every way, and they may return to-day feeling confident that they have widened their circle of personal friends and strengthened the ties that bind us, in common with other parts of the Dominion, to the Throne and Empire. Their engagements were many and varied; yet all were entered into and carried out with zest and manifest pleasure —i n the manner, indeed, that one would expect of the King’s representatives. Necessarily in the limited time at his disposal Lord Jellicoe was tinable to see all that there is to be seen in this historic and interesting province; but he will, it is to be hoped, have seen enough to enable him to gauge the extent of its resources and prosperity, and appreciate the loyalty of its people; also, perhaps, to move him to renew his acquaintance with the district and its people at a later date, when he has npre time at his disposal. With Parliament in session, a Governor-General is kept fully engaged, and no doubt he has been put to a good deal of inconvenience by making his visit to Taranaki at such

a period. But the predominating characteristic of Lord Jellicoe is service, he never studying his own wishes or convenience. These admirable qualities, indeed, make him a model Governor-General, as they made him the first naval man of the Empire when the Great Trial came. His services to the nation, and to civilisation generally, on that occasion will never be forgotten. And rightly so. We are, of course, too near events to properly assess the real value of his services to the Empire in those fateful times, but the broad outlines of the effects of his work and policy may be seen, and indicate fairly conclusively what the verdict of history will be. It can be seen that he will occupy a place in history analogous to that of 'Nelson. He held the destinies of the world in his handj, and did not fail. We in Nev/ Zealand have reason to be grateful to him, for had the control of the seas passed out of Britain’s hands there would have been an end to our-freedom—perhaps of our nationality We live entirely by our overseas trade, and once that was held up or gone we would have been ruined. And that fact is generally recognised. Lord Jellicoe is proving himself equally as successful in peace in his present capacity as he proved in war. He does everything with the same thoroughness, and displays the same capacity, there being nothing perfunctory regarding the discharge of his duties. He invariably does and says the right thing, and has the faculty—not surprising in a sailor— of putting everyone immediately at his or her ease, a faculty, indeed, that is shared by Her Excellency, whose grace and charm aid kindly consideration and sympathy have endeared her to the many who have come in contact with her in Taranaki. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have such distinguished people in our midst, and their return, whether in an official capacity or otherwise, will, we are sure, be anticipated with real pleasure by the people of Taranaki.