VISCOUNT BLEBISLOE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19663, 24 August 1935, Page 5

VISCOUNT BLEBISLOE

TRIBUTE AT GLOUCESTER. SERVICES AS PRO-CONSUL. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS. (From a Correspondent). -GLOUCESTER, July 10. Viscount and Viscountess Bledisloe were given a memorable welcome b) the Gloucestershire magistrates, county councillors, and others engaged ir voluntary work for the county, in the Shire -Hall, Gloucester, on Tuesday, July 2. In the presence of about 330 •of the most distinguished people in the county -and city, the 'Duke of Beaufort (Lord-Lieutenant of the County), presented an illuminated address to Viscouunt 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 he -performed as -Governor-General of New Zealand. Sir Russell 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 the County Council, the County High Sheriff (Mr Sidney Allen), and Sir Francis I-Iyett. 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 I everyone present. Servloe In New Zealand. 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 New Zealand that he would do the work well. What he did not think they realised was that within tlie space of five short years he had obtained the deep -and warm affection of that Dominion, and by so doing had done a very great service to that country, and to the links which hound that country and the Mother j Country. “It, can only be done," continued Sir Russell, “firstly by devoting yourself whole-heartedly 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. Thai lie has accomplished, and he has left over there a name ' which will endure for a very long lime, and which has been of abiding value lo lhem and to ourselves.” The Duke of Beaufort read the address, and addresses of welcome worn given by other leading men of (he county.

Lord Bledlsloe's Reply. “Whatever may be the case nfj prophets." said Lord Bledisloe, “and. I camiol pretend to be one myself—-! it fs evident that- a iprn-eonsul is not. without honour in his own country and among his own people. I cannot, pretend lo merit half the generous en- i miniums which you have lavished j' upon my wife and myself. If my task al I lie Antipodes had some small men- j sure of success il was due to the fact, Hint il was entirely congenial, that t represented the world's most beloved^

monarch (applause), and that I 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 I best specification for a Governori General in New Zealand or Australia — if he is to be credited with avoidance of failure —T should say, a firm belief in the Almighty, a good wife, a love of sport, and at least a smattering of I agricultural knowledge.” (Applause), llis five years’ sojourn overseas had established a close association between Gloucestershire and New' Zealand, strengthened by the recent successful visit of the Duke of Gloucester. “I would suggest that in the interests of both,’” Lord Bledisloe said, “that the connection be perpetuated and strengthened. There are already two Grammar Schools in the County which 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? I make the suggestion partly because I 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 resourcefulness, 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.”