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Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1929, Page 4

It will be regretted very generally that I circumstances do not permit His Excellency th Governor-General to accept an extension of his official term in office in the Dominion. Sir George and Lady Eergusson have done much to win the affection and confidence of the people. Following the popular Lord and Lady Jellicoe, it was no light task tx> please the masses, but that has been accomplished. And it has been done in a very simple and unostentatious manner. Sir George proved himself a ready and practical speaker. Wherever he went he has had the knack of saying the right thing. He has covered the territory very faithfully indeed. In going to all the remote places he has fulfilled the obligations of his high office very thoroughly. Nothing has debarred him from doing his duty. We have a case in point this week when their Excellencies are touring the earthquake areas. This is an act greatly to be applauded, for it will assist in a very practical way in restoring the confidence of the people, who naturally are giving the King’s representative a very hearty welcome, new Zealand has been very fortunate in the choice of its long list of governors, and the present selection has proved among the happiest of them all. Sir Charles Eergusson is a. very ready and witty speaker, and before many New Zealand audiences he has said the. right thing in a very happy vein. He had taken a very personal interest in the industrial and social side of colonial life, and has not missed any opportunity of probing all aspects of those large questions. He has been interested especially in the native race, and has gone amongst them to see and learn for himself. The Governor-Gen-eral will carry away with him a great store of knowledge of New Zealand in respect to its conditions, and lie will bo an active ambassador to tell abroad all that ho thinks and feels about New Zealand His tour to the earthquake region will in itself he of value, for he will gain first hand knowledge which will be more correct than endeavouring to form opinions on reports of the

various quarters affected. In this connection the information should bo of value to New Zealand abroad, and it appears to us that the visit is prompted in part with the object of seeing and learning for himself exactly w!Mt the local situations are. This seems typical of the general work of the Governor-General tin the Dominion, and is in keeping with the fine record lie had made for himself while sojourning amongst us.