THE PART OF WALES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1930, Page 6

THE PART OF WALES

NEW ZEALAND’S HISTORY.

],OIU) B 1 .ED] SLOE’S ll E MINDER.

Explaining that with her Excellency’s eyes upon him, lie must strive to he a. champion of Wales, his Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Jilotiisioe) explained us lore the. Ca-m----l;n iau Society. Christchurch, how New Zealand to-day might be a different country Nut for the services of Welshmen.

• o ho:: you are up against a poor, ignorant i.nglishmtui like myself and your .Eugti.s 1 .Mayor, it is just a well co remind them of the work the Welsh have clone in New Zealand,” said Lord Biodisloe. lie mentioned first Henry Williams, a missionary, who cam© to join Dr. Samuel Marsdon about 18-5, and had the extraordinarily interesting and historical experience of weig *ii;g d wn the scales in favour of peace .villi the Maoris and in favour of the an vexation to Britain of this couiuiy . ; the famous Treaty of Wailangi.

“He it was,*’ said his Excellency, “who threw the whole wcic. . of the Protestant, missionaries into the signing of the treaty, and was de-ired largely responsible for its successful constitution.”

Queen Victoria could have had no good comae- with the Maoris but for Henry Williams, who spoke Maori and English lacilcly, and interpreted ior her delegates. “Another Welshman whom you in Canterbury ought to know something, about was Sir Charles Bowen,” added Lord Biodisloe. “Sir Charles was the great pioneer of education in the City of Christchurch., ITe was the man who introduced a Bill into the House of Representatives as far back as 1877, assuring for all time for the children of New. Zealand free and compulsory ■ education. I think something like 300,000 children enjoy that enormous boon to-day.”

Later in the evening, his Excellency, still the champion of Wales, reminded “the English Mayor” that the name oif Britain came from Wales. There was a time, he said, when only those were called Britons who occupied what is now. called Wales.