The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1931. VICE REGAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1931. VICE REGAL VISIT.

Tjie visit of His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, accompanied by Lady Jiieciisloe, to-dav, is an honor to the district. This /Vice-Regal party will receive a very friendly and cordial welcome, not only because of their mission as His Majesty's representative, but also for their own sates. They have been long enough in New Zealand to become widely known, and His Excellency’s many public addresses have no doubt been read far and wide. The visit is of special interest on this occasion, because unlike so many similar visits here before, it is not a case of speedy departure, Their Excellencies are spending over a week in Westland and purpose seeing many of the sights in the southern district. It is a pleasure to note that the name and fame of the beauties of South Westland, have attracted their attention, and in keeping with the general experience of visitors, the stay should be most enjoyable. A ViceRegal visit at a time when the neighbouring country has elected to choose its own Governor-Gencrl, draws attention to , the practice hitherto current in Now Zealand, and which has proved a great success over the life of this far-flung unit of the Empire. The Dominion has at its service a direct representative of His Majesty the King and we doubt if the people "ill ever have it otherwise. f I lie Dominion has been notably loyal over many years, and one helpful factor no doubt has been the happy choice marking the King’s selection of a special representative. Here at the Antipodes we are furthest from the nerve centre of the Empire, but the distance lias added rather to the loyal feelings of the people. New Zealand was founded and established under happy circumstances, and with a race of wonderful pioneers. The spirit, too. became imbued in the Native race, and the happy relatives between the Maoris and Europeans leave helped in no small wav to maintain that degree

of loyalty and affection for the Motherland of which after all, we tire proud. Naturally with .such a spirit abroad, the King’s representative wherever he goes in the Dominion will find a warm and cordial welcome. The degree of that welcome* will be enhanced by 1 1 is own personalty, which means what a happy choice has been made, and how unwise it would be to depart .rom a system which has proved so uniformly successful. In common with tin* prevailing feeling, it is a pleasure to join in the expression of good wishes to he heard on till sides, and wish Their Excellencies, not only an enjoyable stay in Westland, but the happiest of terms as the King’s representative in tli.e loyal Dominion of New Zealand