GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17974, 20 March 1930, Page 4

GOVERNOR-GENERAL.

SWEARING-IN CEREMONY. A BffILUAiMT SCENE. WARM WELCOME ACCORDED. (By Telegraph—Fress Association.) WELLINGTON, AVednesday. The ceremony of swearing-in Lord Bledisloe as Governor-General took place on the steps of Parliament Buildings. It was witnessed by some thousands of people, and the scene was a brilliant one. The guard of honour was from the First Wellington Regiment. Places of honour with Lord and Lady Bledisloe at the front of the platform were occupied by the Administrator, the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Alyers; the Hon. G. W. Forbes, representing, the Prime Minister; and Air 11. D. Thomson, permanent head of the Prime Minister's Department. As Lady Bledisloe mounted the dais she was presented by 'Airs B. BWood, -daughter of the Prime Minister. with a bouquet. The formal procedure of swearingin the Governor- General-designate was then -commenced, the reading of the Royal warrant of appointment being followed by the taking of the oath of allegiance and the oath of office, administered by Sir Alichael Myers. A salute of 19 guns was fired from Joint Jerningham. In welcoming Lord and Lady Bledisloe, Mr Forbes conveyed _ a cordial welcome to Their Excellencies on behalf of the Government and people of the Dominion, which had a warm affection for His Alajesty the King. His Excellency would receive every consideration from the people of this country' wherever he went. New Zealand had been fortunate with its Governors.

Welcome from Maoris. The Minister extended to Their Excellencies a welcome. from the Maori people, who were as loyal as the pakehas. The fact that His Excellency took a keen interest in the farming industry gave special pleasure to New Zealanders. The women of New Zealand, said Air Forbes, addressing Her Excellency, would do their very best to make hot* feel at home, and to compensate her for going so far from home. “We feel,” Air Forbes added, that Lord Bledisloe in corning here has made a considerable sacrifice. He has done his duty to the British Empire, and we here will do all we can to make iris stay with us a pleasant and happy one.” Mr Forbes read the Hollowing message from the Commissioner of Rarotonga:—“Tlie Arilds, chiefs and people, ask you to convey to the Governor-General a message of welcome and loyalty from the Cook Islands.”

His Excellency’s Reply.

“We have oome here conscious that jwc have a great -deal to learn, and | with a profound desire to be helpful to j the Dominion," said Lord Bledisloe in i his address after the swearing-in i ceremony. . After thanking the Hon. G- W. Forbes for his friendly, loyal, and patriotic speech ol’ welcome, 'Lord Bledisloe expressed regret at the abI sence through indisposition of the ! veteran Prime Minister, Sir Joseph | Ward, whose devoted services to New i Zealand and the Empire were ac- | knowledged without any distinction of 1 party the world over, j Ilis Excellency said that prior to ! leaving England he had been comI man-ded by His Alajesty the King to j tell the people of New Zealand that | His Alajesty still had the happiest j recollections of the time he spent in ! New Zealand 29 years ago, recollecj lions which had been revived by the more recent visits of the Prince of I Wales and the Duke and Duchess of j York. He took the -deepest personal ! interest in the welfare of the Do- ! minion and in the well-being of all I classes of its inhabitants, and ! earnestly prayed for its continued ! prosperity and progress. _ Lord Bledisloe added that in due course he would deliver His Majesty’s message to the Maoris ancl to the school children. lie was pleased to be able to say that the King had complctelv recovered from his illness. “1 'look forward with considerable pride,” said Lord Bledisloe, "to taki jpg part in the administration of a Dominion which, in addition to us I manv attractions, can boast the ! highest standard of education the ! lowest death-rate and the largest trade turnover per head of population ■in the Empire, if not in the world. 1 \s the representative of His Alajesty | King it would be his ambition to j foster harmony and co-operation bei tween the Motherland and New Zea- ! land, between New Zealand and other I parts of the Empire, and between all I sections of New Zealand s loyal community.

WOMEN'S WELCOME. LADY BLEDISLOE GRATIFIED. WELLINGTON, Thursday. An enterprising course of extending the first welcome to Lady Bledisloe on behalf of Hie women of New Zealand, associated with the Women’s Institute was taken on Monday night when Alias Agnes M. Stops broadcast a message of welcome from Station 2YA, Wellington. The following reply was received by radio by Mrs A. E. Spencer, of Napier, chief organiser of the New Zealand Women’s Institute: —“1 ~T e atlv appreciate your warm welcome and wish the Women’s Institutes of New Zealand all success. —Elaine Bledisloe.

HAMILTON’S WELCOME. MESSAGE TO THEIR EXCELLENCIES A telegram of welcome was yesterday sent to Lord and Lady Bledisloe by Mr J. A. Young, M.P., on behalf of the of Hamilton. The- message was as follows: —"On behalf of the electors of Hamilton 1 tender Your Excellencies and family a very hearty welcome io New Zealand, and Rust your term of office may be happy in Llic extreme.” To this Mr Young this morning received the following reply:-—“l thank you and Hie electors of Hamilton most cordially for your welcome. —The Governor-General.” (Continued in nfcxt column.)

GREETINGS FROM RAGLAN.

Mr W- Lee Martin, M.P. for Raglan, has forwarded the following telegram to Lord Bledisloe, the new GovernorGeneral : “On behalf of my constituents I extend to you a loyal and hearty welcome with the wish that your term of office may bo one of pleasure and profit to the whole of the Dominion as well as your good selves.—W. Lea (Martin.” Thi! following reply has been received :—• "1 deeply appreciate your wire conveying the loyal and hearty welcome of you and your constituents. —Bledisloe.”