ARRIVAL OF LORD BLEDISLOE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 8

ARRIVAL OF LORD BLEDISLOE

ANOTHER of the periodical changes in the representation of rk his Majesty the King in New Zealand will he completed tomorrow by the formal swearing-in of Lord Bledisloe, who arrives at Wellington this evening. The new Governor-General will be warmly welcomed, first in Wellington, with which city in the ordinary course of events he will have closer contacts than any other, and later in the other centres of the Dominion when—as he no doubt will do, as soon as possible—he finds opportunity to visit them. In Auckland, as in Wellington, Loi’d Bledislop will be warmly welcomed, and respected not only for the high office he holds, but also for qualities of personal charm of which he has already given evidence. The new Governor-General has not taken long to make history. He is without doubt the first incoming GovernorGeneral to have dined with his predecessor at a stopping place on the voyage. It was an extraordinary coincidence which decreed that the Rangitata, carrying Sir Charles Fergusson homeward, and the Rangitiki, bearing Lord Bledisloe to New Zealand, should both be in Panama on the same day. It may be that, in the course of a friendly conversation, Sir Charles was able, in his urbane way, to give the new Governor-General some advice that may be useful to him. There is no reason to assume that governor-generals are unlike other people in having a human desire to give and receive a friendly hint or two. But if Lord Bledisloe maintains the kindly and human interest in New Zealand’s affairs that he has already manifested, he should be in no real need of instruction. _As a man whose political and administrative record, both during the war and since, qualifies him to study the life and aspirations of New Zealanders on a broad scale. Lord Bledisloe will be able to interest himself in industry as well as agriculture; in the life of the towns as well as the country. He himself has gently endeavoured to counteract the impression that he has only one interest, the farm. From the bucolic enthusiasm which has flavoured certain effusions, it might be imagined that the new Governor-General was coming out to New Zealand to be head of the Massey Agricultural College. Instead of that, he is coming out to take, .to the best of his ability, a place in the thoughts and esteem of all the people, and not any one section of them. With appreciation of the real earnestness with which they have accepted their appointment, Lord and Lady Bledisloe will be warmly welcomed, and The Sun on behalf' of its readers wishes them a pleasant stay in New Zealand.