INAUGURAL CEREMONY

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21353, 22 February 1941, Page 8

INAUGURAL CEREMONY

SIR CYRIL NEWALL TAKES OFFICE BRILLIANT SCENE IN CAPITAL CITY WELCOME EXTENDED BY PRIME MINISTER (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. Saturday The new Governor-General of New Zealand, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall, G.C.8., G.C.M.G., O. C.8.E., Lady Newall and their three children arrived in the capital city this morning in brilliant weather, their train arriving at the platform promptly on the schedule time, 8.55. The Administrator, Sir Michael Myers, who was accompanied by the Clerk of the Executive Council, entered the Vice-Regal carriage and greeted Sir Cyril Newall. The station platform was decorated with flags, and a red carpet led to the edge of the platform, beyond which was drawn up a guard-of-honour from the Army School, Trentham, and the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Just after nine o’clock the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, entered the carriage, and shortly afterwards Sir Cyril Newall set foot in Wellington. He received the Royal salute following which, with the Administrator and the Chiefs of Staffs, he inspected the guard, while the Air Force Band played in slow measure the Maori melody “E Pari Ra.”

Town Hall Ceremony After the inspection Mr Fraser presented to Sir and Lady Newall the Ministers of the Crown and their wives, the High Commissioners for the United Kingdom and Canada and their wives, members of the Legislative Council and Houses of Representatives and their wives, the Chiefs of Staffs and the Commissioner of Police. The ceremony at the station closed with the Royal Salute. All these proceedings were watched from outside by an interested public, which gathered also at the vehicle exits and cheered as the cars left. The party went to the Citizens’ War Memorial, where Sir Cyril Newall was presented to representatives of the Wellington and New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Associations and placed a wreath. Sir Cyril was then driven to the Town Hall and introduced by Mr Fraser to the Mayor, Mr T. C. A. Hislop, and the Mayoress. The ceremony there was informal, the Mayor introducing councillors and their wives and chief officers of the council.

Royal Air Force until it has become the finest in the world commands the undying gratitude of the British people.” The Prime Minister said the welcome was extended on behalf of both races, Maori and pakeha, stressing how they were bound together in a common destiny and, freely united, were once again offering their blood in the defence of democratic ideals. Sir Cyril, in returning thanks for the welcome, said they were deeply touched and encouraged by its warmth and sincerity, and felt already among friends. They wanted themselves to be regarded not as strangers but as friends. Their arrival was the climax to many months of anticipation. He gave an assurance of their intention to devote themselves to the welfare of New Zealand.

He brought a personal message from the King, who had commanded him to convey Hl> Majesty’s best wishes to the Government and people of New Zealand. His Majesty recognised with gratitude the assistance New Zealand was giving in the prosecution of the war, and His Majesty was confident their labours would be rewarded with victory and a just and lasting ’ peace. ! Both speeches were punctuated with applause. The party left Government House at 10.50, and as they proceeded through the city for Parliament House twenty Royal Air Force machines roared overhead in formation. The scene in Parliament Grounds was very brilliant, everything being beflagged, the flower beds bright with colour and the ceremonial taking place under a cloudless sky. A ! large crowd had gathered, and bei sides the guard of honour 300 returned men were drawn up at the dais. On Stroke of Time Preceded by two mounted policemen, the cars arrived precisely on time, Sir Cyril alighting as the clock was striking eleven. He saluted as the “present arms” was given and the opening bars of the National Anthem were played. After inspection of the guard of honour he returned to Lady Newall, and Their Excellencies mounted the dais to a ripple of applause. The warrant of appointment was read by Mr T. R. Aickin, clerk of the Executive Council. Sir Cyril took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office was administered by Sir Michael Myers. The guard gave the Royal Salute and the opening bars of the National Anthem were again played. His Excellency taking the salute. Sir Cyril then inspected the parade of returned men under Colonel A. Cowles. He shook hands with and chatted with a number of men. On | returning to the steps of Parliament House he again took the Royal salute. I There were cheers from the re- | turned men, and the crowds as Their Excellencies left. The whole cere- ‘ mony was impressive not only for i its formality and meticulous detail, | but the particularly fine bearing and I precision of movement shown by the guard. The Air Force Band aUo roused the admiration of all who were present.

A quarter of an hour later. Sir Cyril and Lady Newall, the latter carrying a bouquet of gladioli, drove to Government House, accompanied by spontaneous cheers from the people gathered outside the hall. Mr Fraser, extending a welcome on behalf of the Government and people, assured Sir Cyril and Lady Newall of the most earnest desire that their stay in New Zealand might be happy.

They would find the people imbued with all the characteristics, spirit and highest tradidition of the British race, men and women inspired with fervent wish to share to the full with their kinsfolk in the United Kingdom and elsewhere the task of defending their, lives and liberties, and of preserving Christian civilisation and the democratic way of life. He took the opportunity of saying that we appreciated more than words could tell the splendid inspiriting example of Their Majesties the King and Queen, who were willingly and courageously sharing all the dangers to which the heroic people of Britain were exposed. Mr Fraser said New Zealand embarked upon the war effort with firm determination to strain every nerve and sinew, to spare no sacrifice to make its contribution the fullest and most effective within its power.

He assured His Excellency that we faced the future with no other feelings than full confidence in ultimate victory.

In this grave and critical hour it was a matter of great satisfaction, said Mr Fraser, that a GovernorGeneral with so distinguished a record should have come to live in our midst in New Zealand. It was most appropriate in the present circumstances that the representative of the King should come from the armed services and from among the most conspicuous of those who /had given such unstinted service to the Empire during the present conflict.

“We count ourselves singularly fortunate on this occasion,” Mr Fraser continued, “that New Zealand should have as Governor-General an airman of such exceptional experience. one whose profound knowledge of the problems of modern warfare in all its phases demands the very highest respect, and one whose achievement vn building up the

The spontaneity of the cheering, too, was unmistakeable, Their Excellencies and family making an immediate appeal to the citizens of Wellington.