VISCOUNT AND LADY BLEDISLOE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 198, 24 August 1935, Page 7

VISCOUNT AND LADY BLEDISLOE

I WELCOME AT GLOUCESTER A SON OF THE COUNTY Viscount and Viscountcss Bledisloe were given a m&norable welcome by the Gloucestershire magistrates, county councillors, and others engaged in voluntary work for the county, in the •Shire Hall, Gloucester, on Tuesday, July 2. In the presence of about 359 of the most distinguished people in the county and city, the Duke of Beaufort (lord lieutenant of the county), presented an illuminated address to Viscount Bledisloe on their behalf. The gathering, which filled the Council Chamber, represented the county’s official welcome to Viscount Bledisloe and its recognition of the splendid work ho performed as Gover-nor-General of New Zealand. Sir Bussell Kerr, chairman of the Gloucestershire quarter sessions, presided, and was supported by Lord and Lady Bledisloe, the Duke of Beaufort, Sir Frederick Cripps, chairman of the County Council, the County High Sheriff (Mr. Sidney Allen), and Sir Francis Hyett. The illuminated address, which was in the form of a book, beautifully executed and bound, was entirely a Gloucestershire product, and contained the signatures of everyone present. Sir Russell Kerr said that many of them had known Lord Bledisloe for many years, some of them from boyhood. They were well aware when he went to Now Zealand that he would do the work well. What he did not think they realised was that within the space of five short years he had obtained the deep and warm effection of that Dominion, and by so doing had done a very g»eat service to that country, and to the links which bound that country and the Mother Country. “It can only be done,” continued Sir Russell, “firstly by devoting yourself wholeheartedly to them., and secondly by having the deepest understanding and sympathy with their problems, hopes, difficulties and aspirations, and putting yourself at all times at their service. That he has accomplished, and he has left over there a name which will endure for a very long time, and which has been of abiding value to them and Io ourselves.” The Duke of Beaufort read the address, and addresses of welcome were given by other leading men of the county. “Whatever may be the case of prophets,” said Lord Bledisloe, “and 1 cannot pretend to be one myself—il is evident that a pro-consul is nor without honour in his own county and among his own people. (Applause.) 1 cannot pretend to merit half the generous encomiums which you have lavished upon my wife and myself. If my task at the Antipodes had some .small measure of success it was due to I the fact that it was entirely con- | genial, that I represented the world’s i most beloved monarch (applause), and that 1 had in my wife an ideal partner whose never-failing optimism and inspiration in a period of extreme economic adversity—when Europeans and Maoris alike look almost pathetically to us for encouragement and advice—was simply invaluable. (Renewed applause.) If 1 were asked to draw up the best specification for a GovernorGeneral in New Zealand or Australia —if he is to bo credited with avoidance c»f failure—l. should say, a firm belief in the Almighty, a good wife, a love of sport, and at least a smattering of agricultural knowledge.” (Applause.) His five years’ sojourn overseas had established a close association between Gloucestershire ami New Zealand, strengthened by the recent successful visit of the Duke of Gloucester. “1 would suggest that in the interests of both,” he said, “that tho connection be perpetuated and strengthened. There are already two grammar schools in the county \vhich exchange correspondence regularly with schools of a similar grade in New Zealand. Cannot a similar link be established between other schools in the two areas? 1 make the suggestion partly because 1 have a confident belief that there are going to be in the future great openings for vocational prosperity for British migrants of courage, enterprise and resource ininess, and partly because there is a crying need for greater knowledge of our Empire heritage on the part of the rising generation in Great Britain” Concluding. Lord Bledisioc asked to be allowed to improve the shining hour—the most shining hour of a somewhat busy life, “[ have,” he said, “ just laid down one task, apparently with your most, kind approval, which although strenuous, I have found comparatively easy. With great hesitation and only after a strong personal appeal from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, I have, exactly a week ago, taken on another which I regard as far more difficult and which I approach with considerable diffidence and in respect of which I want to a-k the whole hearted sup port of Gloucestershire people of all classes. It is the post of president oT the National (duncil of Social Service, in succession to my deeply re spected friend the Rt. Hon. .1. H. Whitley, of the House of Commons. This council, as most of you are aware, embraces in its ambit, social service of every descript ion, in both town and country throughout the United Kingdom. Its object is to spread a communal spirit, tho consciousness of mutual interdependence

and the, obligation of mutual helpfulness between all classes and all agencies, national and local, which make for social progress, (he relief by voluntary effort of unemployment and brightening of the lives and homes of the people of this country. As president il will be my ambition- and I want you Io support me -Io see Gloii ceslershire point the way to the other counties in the realisation of these i'leals. Will you, my kind Gloucestershire friends, help me to achieve tais a m bi lion? “ I'T’om my heart.” said Lord Bledisloe, ‘‘l thank you for the welcome von have given me ami my good wife, and I assure you it will remain in our memories to the end of our lives.” (Loud applause.)