VALUE OF TRADITION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 834, 30 November 1929, Page 6

VALUE OF TRADITION

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S MESSAGE TO KING’S COLLEGE VISIT OF FAREWELL "Though the schools of New Zealand are young, they are old enough to foster the growth of traditions." So said the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, during a speech at his farewell visit to King’s College yesterday. His Kxcellency, who was accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson, was met on arrival at the college by the headmaster, the Rev. H. K. Archdall, and Mrs. Archdall, and was accorded an enthusiastic reception. Members of the board of governors were also present. Their Excellencies visited the chapel, built as a memorial by old boys, to those of their number who fell in the war, and then proceeded to the college gymnasium, where the boys were assembled. "We have always looked forward to visits from his Excellency, and treasured the words he has spoken to us,” said the Rev. Archdall. “The Gover-nor-General has endeared himself in the hearts of the young of this Dominion from one end to the other.” "We are glad to have one last word with you boys at King’s College,” said his Excellency. “We shall be back here in the first week of next year, but then. I suppose, you will be more pleasurably employed.” He spoke of the immense power of school traditions. At such schools as Eton, Harrow and Winchester there could be seen the names of boys carved on walls and desks for centuries past; among them the names of men who had contributed to the history of the nation. The lives of these men had been largely influenced by the traditions of their schools and these remained a great inspiration to later generations. TRADITIONS TO ESTABLISH “You belong to one of the great young schools of New Zealand and you have to establish the traditions which will make for all time the tone and character of your school,” said his Excellency. “Traditions are not exactly easy to explain. X advise you to admire manliness wherever you see it: admire truth, frankness and simplicity just as much as you despise cant and arrogance and affectation; keep your minds independent and thereby gain self-reliance. In doing this you will train yourselves to take a wise and generous part in life; you can let your lives stagnate if you like, but that is not the way to happiness. "At the opening of the War Memorial Museum I used the words from the famous oration of Pericles: ‘These were men who knew their duty and were not afraid to do it.’ I am afraid that many people nowadays know their duty but are ready to find any excuse for nor. doing it. "The game is never over until the last ball has been bowled,” he continued. “You must stick it out at all costs. That was the spirit which won the war. In the blackest days at the start of 1918 our men would not confess they were beaten, and they went on to win.” Nothing was ever over until it was absolutely finished. Everything had to be carried to a conclusion. That should be one of the traditions cf King’s College. His Excellency asked to have the college prefects presented to him and as he drove away all the boys assembled at the college gates and cheered.