GIFTS OF VALUE.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20538, 13 February 1935, Page 8

GIFTS OF VALUE.

Their Excellencies Unable to Accept Them. A MATTER OF PROPRIETY. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. Many of the societies and organisations with which the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe have been closely associated during the past five years have expressed at various times during the past three months a desire to present to them parting gifts and by these geenrously inspired wishes their Excellencies are deeply touched. They feel however, that it is necessary to point out for general information that, especially under the new conception of His Majesty’s representative which resulted from the decision of the Imperial Conference of 1930, he cannot prudently depart from the rule whereby the acceptance of gifts of any substantial value, other than illuminated addresses and their possible receptacles, is held to be inconsistent with viceRegal propriety. This rule applies with equal force to her Excellency. While expressing, therefore, their grateful acknowledgments of the generous offers which they have received, their

Excelliences ask to be allowed to decline them on the grounds above stated.

It is with deep regret that the Gover-nor-General and Lady Bledisloe find it necessary to decline the invitations which they are receiving from various centres of population throughout Dominion to visit them for the purpose of an official farewell prior to their Excellencies’ departure for England by the Rangitiki, which is due to sail from Wellington on March 15. Apart from the difficulty of undertaking public engagements during the recent visit of the Duke of Gloucester, Lord and Lady Bledisloe felt themselves unequal to facing the strain of numerous farewell functions in rapid succession during the limited time available before they leave New Zealand. They have, therefore, very reluctantly decided to confine their visits to the cities of the Dominion. They feel sure that, in these circumstances, the inhabitants of various boroughs, whosel loyalty and friendly goodwil they have always deeply valued, will not fail to understand their reason for declining these hospitable invitations, and that they will accept Their Excellencies’ warm assurance of the continuance of their sympathetic interest in their future welfare and happiness.