The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 15, 1933. A POPULAR FIGURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 November 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER, 15, 1933. A POPULAR FIGURE.

i The Dominion lias been very fortunate in its line of succession of Governors since the early days. With but tew exceptions, the King's representatives have upheld the dignity of their of* lice, and enjoyed the appreciation of the people to a very great degrebThe present occupant of. the high post, now styled Governor-General, is an outstanding figure in the long line of representatives, and that in itself is saying a good deal. Lord BledUfoe lias proved a man of parts, highly experienced in many directions, and with a happy knack bf conveying 'his knowledge, and pointing the medal which always adorns hs speeches. He is a quiet speaker, but his remains are meaty always. He can speak with authority, on a wide diversity of subjects, many of them very near to the industries of this country. No doubt the farmers as a class have taken Lord Rledisloe to their hearts, for he has evinced the closest interest and concern in their welfare, and that of the country’s. His Excellency is an experienced farmer himself with a very practical idea of values and markets. He has given the community much advice and instruction along sound lines, and has encouraged the improvement in production in a very prctical way—by the offering of encouraging trophies for excellence in quality. Last week in and about Christchurch their Excellencies performed many functions and made many thoughtful visits. They filled i n a remarkable programme of a most varied nature, and at each and every function, their reception was in every way befitting their high office and important representation. It is not too much to say that His Majesty the King has a very acceptable representative in Lord Bledisloe, one who ensures a high degree of loyalty to the throne in this far flung part of tho Empire. These are times when many nations are in doubt and insecurity as to their leadership and, national stability. The. British Empire seems to stand apart on a more sound and solid constitution, and there are outward and visible signs of the loyalty and esteem of the people, and of their goodwill and concern toward and in the head of the nation. This is exemplified at Home in the fervour of the people’s attachment- to the King and bis Royal household. It is reflected here in the respect and a drmiration the people hear to- the King s deputy, and it is being shown in all walks of life. Whether it is a great national show, a race or trotting meeting, or any lessor assemblage o*l people, there are exhibitions of practical respect to their Excellencies, and in no half-hearted manner either. Ai visitor who returned from ChristJ church said that at one of the great gatherings at last wedkV the Governor-General with officials of the club passed along in front tho outside peoples’ stand. As soon as recognised, the mass of humanity stood on, and there was great hand-elapoing like the rattle of a hundred machine guns. Such a spontaneous tribute' was centred on a sure foundation of loyalty and regm-d. and that incident was bint ‘ vpical of the general feeling towards the persoy, and office of the King, as whose representative Lord Bledisloe so aldy deputises.

In a recent speech. Major Oliver Stanley, Minister of Transport, said lie welcomed the Ottawa Agreements because they set up the principle of regulating their foreign trade. He was Hoi. going to asit wnecner tney had or had not got the best of the bargain, or whether the bargains they thought they Had got a year ago were as good as they thought at tiie time. Wliat was important was that they were trying to canalise their trade, and were recognising that they could not afford an,y longer to produce goods in Britain wicnout any idea of where they should find a market for them. It was idle to think they could get back to free trade It took a short time to put on a tariff, but a long time to liquidate tlie developments that took place behind a tariff. To hold before thjeir

eyes the chimera of universal frtee trade was to live in a fool’s paradise. Alluding to the prospects of bargaining between different countries, and the interference to industry which was thus involved, Major Oliver said that if governments took they must also give. Certain industries might think they were hardly deait with, and possibly might think it would be pleasanter to get back to the days of noninterference, but they could not. “You have asked us to come in,” he safid, “and we have to come in °h the lijheb of the nation’s interests. That is the price you have to pay for making Government intervention, inescapable and inevitable.’ ,