LORD JELLICOE'S REPLY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 2, 28 September 1920, Page 6

LORD JELLICOE'S REPLY

"It is with a very deep sense of the honour conferred- upon mo that I enter to-day upon my duties as Governor-ben-eral of this Croat, this prosperous, this most loyal Dominion," said Lord Jellicoe in' reply. "In ordinary icirpum. stances, and 'in view of my incxpenenco of the duties and calls of such an office, I might feel that my path would be a difficult one. but having in mind .the •very generous and kindly words ]ust spoken so eloquently by tho Prime Minister, having in mind the very great warmth of tho welcome which the people of Wellington have given mo to-day, and bearing in mind also tho tolegrams of welcomo which have reached mo from all parts of the Dominion, I feel encouraged and reassured. I feel that Lndv Jellicoo rind 1 ai'o entering upon our work with the encouragement of the people of the Dominion. I can assure you, one and all, that both I and Lady' Jellicoo will do our very best to discharge our duties, and we hone that with Divine assistance we shall be able to do all that lies in our power to further tho interests of the Dominion during our-stay amongst you. AVo do not forget—wo nevor have forgotten—the great and generou6 welcome that wo received here twelvo months ago. lho fact that T enter upon my duties on the anniversary upon which you celebrate Dominion Day is ifci itself a very real encouragement to both of us. But more than all we fe'el that we are returning to a people who are not strangers to us, and to whom wo are not strangers. (Applause.) For a year now, ever since we first came among .yon, tho people of this Dominion have held «i very warm place in our hearts. AVo feel that we are coming back to a place which is very nearly home to us. and which in tile future will bo our home. (Applause.). I can assure you once more that so lonp us we] are lsere wo will do everything that llesj in our power to further the interests of this great country and of its people. I thank you, Mr. Massey, for the very ■kind words vou have spoken. I thank all the people of Wellington for their kindlv welcome, and I look forward to my stay amongst you. Lady Jellicoe joins in the sentiments I havo expressed." (Applause.)

The Prime Minister willed for cheers for Lord Jellicoe and Lady Jcllicoo. These cheers were given warmly. The new Governor-General then left the Parliamentary grounds on his way back to Government Houbc, the hand playing tho National Anthem as his car moved' away.