NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 April 1935, Page 4

NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY,

A BRILLIANT SCENE,

WELLINGTON, Friday.

A brilliant scene was enacted on the steps of Parliament House this afternoon when Lord Galway took tho oath of allegiance and 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, the heads of Departments of State and! leading citizens.

The oaths were administered by the Chief Justice (Sir M. Myers). A guard of honour, provided by the General Headquarters Training Depot, was mounted opposite the steps of the main entrance to Parliament House, and was inspected by his Excellency. When Lord Galway had taken the oath of office, tho guard of honour gave a. Royal Salute and 19 guns were fired from Point Jormingham by members of the New Zealand Permanent Artillery.

Their Excellencies were welcomed on behalf of the people of New Zealand by the Acting-Prime Minister (the Rt. lion. J. G. Coates), who said, in the course of his speech that Maori and Pakeha in hoping that the sojourn of Lord and Lady Galway in this country would give them pleasure and satisfaction and in expressing confidence that his Excellency’s term of office would bo of lasting benefit to the people of New Zealand and the British Commonwealth of Nations. Mr Coates read a radiogram from tho Prime Minister in which Mr Forbes expressed his regret at being unable to be present, and his good wishes for their Excellencies’ welfare during their stay in New Zealand. Having made graceful acknowledgment of the welcome extended to himself and Lady Galway, his Excellency spoke of the impending celebration in London of the King’s Silver Jubilee. "Before my departure from England,” Lord Galway said, "their Majesties commanded mo to convey to the people of New Zealand their most sincere trood wishes and to assure them that they never forget the happy time which they spent in this country some 34 years ago. The interest of their Majesties in everything connected with this country is unabated: and I was commanded to keep the King constantly informed of the progress of events here. His Majesty made special mention of his loyal and warm-hearted subjects the Maori people in whose welfare he has the deepest interest.” Having referred to the recent visit of the Duke of Gloucester, his Excellency concluded: "The warmth of your welcome has been most impressive. By wireless, while still on my way, messages of welcome came to us, and on landing further expressions of good will met us on all sides. This is a great encouragement at a time when 1 feel rather overwhelmed with responsibility in following tho footsteps of so many illustrious predecessors .... Difficult times have been experienced in the last few years—you are not alone in this — but I trust that the worst is over, and T look to the future with confidence that with determination and courage these hard times will soon be a thing of tho past. We have come to make our homo among you for five years—to share with you your joys and sorrows, to sympathise with, and endeavour to assist you in your difficulties, to applaud your courage, and to do our utmost to live up to tho high ideals of this important office.” —(P.A.)

A WARM WELCOME. I WELLINGTON, Friday. A warm and sincere welcome to Wellington was given to Lord and Lady Galway by the citizens in the Town Hall this evening. Every part of the big bilding was occupied and. those present were not slow to seize every opportunity of demonstrating the cordiality of their feelings. On behalf of the City, the Mayor (Mr T. O. A. Hislop), who presided, presented his Excellency with an illuminated address and water colour, which depicted a local scene. Upon the arrival of their Excellencies the huge audience rose as one as tho strains of the National Anthem came from the organ. The Mayor, in presenting the address and water colour, mentioned that the engrossment, and illuminations were the work of returned soldiers. The Hon. E. A. Ransom welcomed Lord and Lady Galway on behalf of tho Government, and at the conclusion of his speech the Mayor presented the city’s address. *

Replying, Lord Galway gave thanks for the great warmth of welcome and for the city souvenir "in remembrance of mi unforgettable dav and an unforgettable occasion.”—(P.A.)