SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1935, Page 6

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY

GOVERNOR TAKES OATH PARLIAMENT HOUSE GATHERING. COMMISSION OF APPOINTMENT. ACTING-PRIME MINISTER’S SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A brilliant scene was enacted on the steps of Parliament House this afternoon when Lord Galway took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office. The ceremony took place in the presence of a large and enthusiastic crowd, and seated on a special dais behind the official party was a distinguished assemblage which included representatives of the consular corps, heads of the departments of State, and leading citizens. The oaths were administered by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers. A guard of honour provided by general headquarters’ training depot was mounted opposite the steps of the main entrance of Parliament House’and was inspected by His Excellency. When His Excellency had completed taking the oath of office the guard of honour gave a Royal Salute, and 19 guns were fired from Point Jerningham by members of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery. “On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand,” said the actingPrime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, “I extend to you and Her Excellency a very warm welcome to this Dominion, and in thus welcoming you I assure Your Excellencies of our earnest desire that your stay in our midst may be very happy > for yourselves and for all members of your family. There is no part of the British Empire in which there is. a stronger feeling of affection : and loyalty to the Crown and to Their Majesties personally than New Zealand. “While from the early days of settlement the people of this country have been bound to the Motherland by the closest ties of kinship and sentiment, these bonds of Empire have been strengthened by the distinguished people whom the. King has been pleased to appoint to represent him in this Dominion. “Your Excellencies’ predecessors fully maintained the dignity and authority _ of their high office and won the affection and esteem of the people of all shades of opinion throughout the country. Our knowledge of Your Excellency’s distinguished career and of the personality of yourself and of Lady Galway leaves no doubt in our minds that your appointment will be a source of honour to this Dominion.”

NEW ZEALAND IMPROVING. “New Zealand has not escaped from the effects of the economic depression which has afflicted the world during the past few years. We should have wished that conditions here might have been more prosperous on your Excellency’s arrival than they are - to-day. We feel, however, that New Zealand is now emerging from the worst of the depression, and that the improvement already in evidence will be maintained and accelerated. “In welcoming Your Excellency, and Lady Galway to our midst I speak on behalf of both races which are helping to mould our national life. In the future as in the' past Maori and pakeha will work together bound by common loyalty and common love of country and of Empire. It has always been a matter of gratification to our brothers and sisters of the Maori race that His-Majesty’s representatives in New Zealand ” have been pleased to accept their hospitality and friendship and have taken pleasure in their art and traditions. They welcome Your Excellency and Lady Galway in the same spirit and in the desire that they may in the same way add, to the enjoyment of your stay among us. “Maori and pakeha join together in hoping that your sojourn with us will give you both pleasure and satisfaction, and in expressing their confidence that Your Excellency’s term of office will be of lasting benefit to the people of New Zealand and to the British Commonwealth of Nations.” MR. FORBES’ MESSAGE. .

A message was received from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. 'G. W. Forbes: “I regret being unable to be present personally at the induction of Lord Galway as Governor-General and to join with the citizens of Wellington in extending to Their Excellencies a most cordial welcome to New Zealand,” Mr. Forbes said. “I desire to take this opportunity, however, of tendering by radiogram an expression of the great pleasure it gives me to know of their safe arrival in the Dominion and to assure them of our good wishes for their welfare during their stay in our midst. They may be certain of a very hearty reception not only in the capital city, but also in every other part of the country. ' “New Zealand has indeed been fortunate in the selection of such a distinguished personage as Lord Galway as the Sovereign’s representative, and I confidently expect his term of office to be equally successful with those of his predecessors. The strong British sentiment which exists among the people of New Zealand will, I am sure, in some measure compensate Their Excellencies for the ties they have temporarily severed and ensure their feeling thoroughly at home amongst us. His Excellency will find in this Britain of the South strong and unswerving loyalty to the King. I sincerely trust that Their Excellencies and family will enjoy their sojourn in New Zealand, and that they will find the climate and surroundings congenial to their health and happiness.”