THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1931, Page 4

THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

If there is one quality more than another which the present Governor-Gen-eral of New Zealand has displayed since he took office in March of last year it is thoroughness. It has been abundantly evident in his attention to detail not only where formal administrative work is concerned but also in the public life of the country. Both Lord and Lady Bledisloe have been exceedingly active as travellers, their Excellencies’ purpose being, of course, to make personal touch with as many New 'Zealanders as they can. It is particularly gratifying to find that they do not permit the claims of the three or four large centres of population to overshadow those of the less pretentious communities. While it is necessary for the Governor-General to be in Wellington for a large part of the year and he must also go into residence elsewhere for fairly long periods, both he and Lady Bledisloe are always keen to visit other places, and it seems that no trouble is too great for them to take. Having completed a busy period in Wellington, they are expected in Auckland for the holidays, and no one could have complained if they had wished to take a short rest before beginning another exacting round of social duties. They have preferred, however, to work their passage, as it were, from one city to the other; that is to say, they have elected to make their journey by stages, calling at many of the smaller centres by the way. Their plan includes visits to three Taranaki towns, and it is scarcely necessary to say that they are very welcome in the province. They are not, of course, strangers in these parts, •but the present visit gives them an opportunity to see new things and meet new people, and South Taranaki is especially glad to show His Excellency something of the farm life of the province, for his interest in it is that of an expert. It is fully recognised, however, that his keenness to investigate the Dominion’s farming methods does not lessen His Excellency’s interest in. other matters. Both he and Lady Bledisloe have shown a desire to make friends in town and country alike and to identify themselves closely with the life of the people. Irt chat they are following the example of the King whom His Excellency so worthily represents, and in New Zealand they may be sure that they could have no better passport to the affectionate esteem and •goodwill of a loyal people.