GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S VISIT TO WHAKATANE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 10, 20 October 1948, Page 5

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S VISIT TO WHAKATANE

On arrival at the Commercial Ho- • tel ■ yesterday morning, their Excellencies were met by the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry, and conducted to the . District High School, where the pupils and staff of seven district . schools had assembled to welcome them. Sir Bernard inspected a guard ■ of honour of high school cadets un- , der Capt A. Breward, and later complimented them on being one of the .smartest guards he had seen in this • country. Scouts, Cubs and Guides were also on parade. Mr L. D.‘ Lovelock, chairman of - the school committee, welcoming the - visitors, said His Excellency held a .special place in the hearts of the . youth of New Zealand, having gone to school here himself and then set such a meritorious example of service to the Empire. Having congratulated the guard on its smartness, Sir Bernard expressed his pleasure at seeing . Scouts, Guides and Cubs well represented. They had an invaluable . influence on the lives of school chil- - dren 5 he said. Touching on the Royal visit, he . said no one would regret more than the King and Queen that it had been impossible to include this district in their itinerary, but he considered that no reason why the vchildren could not be taken to some place where they could see the .Royal party. This visit, he said, was . an event unparalleled in New Zealand’s history. Never before had a . reigning King and Queen visited this country, and they would be keenly interested in the children, because they realised that the future of this country and the Empire depended upon large numbers ' of ■ children being brought up and educated in the British system. Freedom Of Opinion He reminded them that free education, teaching yopng people to grow up and form their own opinions, was not common all over the world. Most young people of other nations had their minds warped one way or the other—either towards Communism or Fascism. That was not so under the British system, which trained children so that they could develop their own opinions freely. 'Housing Cheers Sir Bernard -then proceeded to illustrate his remarks on democracy ’by giving the children a free vote as to whether or not he should de- ' clare' a school holiday in honour of the occasion. Of course, he got a 100 per cent affirmative vote, and asked the school authorities to declare a ' holiday on Friday to make an extra long week-end. He left the school : amid rousing cheers.

Brief Official Call Includes Visit To District High School, Civic Reception And Investiture In a brief official visit to Whakatane yesterday, the Governor-General, Sir Bernard Freyberg and Lady Freyberg, visited the District High School, attended a civic reception and a civic luncheon. Sir Bernard met ex-servicemen and conducted a private investiture ceremony. He was accompanied by his son, Capt P. Freyberg.