LORD ISLINGTON

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 63, 23 June 1910, Page 5

LORD ISLINGTON

A GREAT WELCOME. AXD A TACTFL'L SPEECH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. Tempted by a bright sunny day, a great crowd turned out to greet Lord Islington, the new Governor, filling the open space in front of the Post Office, iiiuL lining, with solid ranks, the streets 'along which the procession afterwards passed. His Excellency arrived in the early .morning by the Ulimaroa, but in order to take advantage of the regular halfholiday, it was arranged that he should ■not land till the afternoon.

The Tutanekai, therefore, went down, with the members of the Ministry, and took him off, and on her he stayed till 2 p.m., when he landed on the'wharf, and thence drove with his suite and the Premier to a dais in front of the Post Office.

A salute was fired by H.M.S. Pioneer, and vigorous cheering greeted his oppearance.

He was received by the Mayor (Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P.'), Councillors and other leading citizens, and had to submit to the inevitable address of welcome.

In reply, the Governor spoke extempore. He expressed his thanks for the warm and cordial greeting he bad received, which be regarded as a practical manifestation of what was known throughout the length and breath of the Empire, namely that New Zealand gave place to no part of it in loyal devotion and adherence to the Imperial connection.

His Excellency alluded to the death of the King, which was brought home with particular poignancy because His late Majesty's last official act was to appoint him Governor of New Zealand. As time proceeded, he hoped to get into close touch with the community and to merit their esteem and regard. A long procession of military officials and friendly societies, with the Governor bringing up the rear, then moved off through the crowded streets to the old Parliament Buildings, where Lord Islington was formally sworn in by the Chief Justice in the presence of a large erowa. A noticeable feature was a Maori welcome by a band of natives at the entrance to the grounds, and again at the platform. fTlie Governor watched them with notable interest. The ceremony was closed by further cheering. In. the cqurse of an interview Lord Islington said: "I have read practically all there is to be read on New Zealand, with a view to furnishing my mind as to .the affairs of the country of which I have been appointed Governor, although, of course, not even the best books can give you that information which puts one in a position to be able to make any remarks which are of any value, as they would not be bused on experience. I have never previously been offered a colonial governorship." His Excellency added: "My whole life has been spent in Home politics. What do they think of New Zealand at Home? The feeling in the Old Country regarding your Dominion is very warm and cordial indeed. The Old Country has a very great admiration for all New Zealand has done and.of the way in which its people have pushed themselves to the front in a comparatively short time, and of the way in which they have not allowed the great distance which separates them from the Mother Country to interfere with their communication. As one who is an ardent believer in the Imperial system, it is a great pleasure to me to find myself in the position of being Governor over a dominion which, has proved itself on so many occasions by its loyal actions, and which is equally keen on fostering and increasing that connection. Therefore, I feel that whatever work I may have to do in that connection, as an Imperial Governor, 1 shall be working with a community with which I am in complete harmony."