Lord and Lady Bledisloe Welcomed

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 37, 28 March 1930, Page 5

Lord and Lady Bledisloe Welcomed

Broadcast -of Welcome

[THE lavish decorations in the Wellington Town Hall'on the occasion of the civic welcome to Lord and Lady Bledisloe on the evening of March 20 formed a blaze of brilliant colour that lent a festive air to the whole proceedings. ‘All available space was packed to its limits long before the ¢commencement of the ceremony. Prolonged cheering greeted the arrival of Their Excellencies, who proceeded to the dais, gay with bunting, between a guard of honour provided by Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. HE broadcast of the entire proceedings was faultless, and the officials responsible for setting such a high

standard for relays deserve the highest commendation. The musical items interspersing the speeches were especially successful, from both the artistic and the broadcast points of view. The Acting Leader of the Government (Hon. G. W. Forbes) was the first to speak; and as Minister of Agriculture stated how pleased New Zealanders were that Lord Bledisloe was such a keen agriculturist. "During the past few years there have been many important advances made in agriculture," stated the Hon. Mr. Forbes, "and New Zealand agriculturists are very eager indeed to welcome any further advances that can be given them by science." After a speech by the Chief Justice (Hon. Sir Michael Myers), during which he mentioned the cordial welcomes awaiting Their Excellencies all over New Zealand, an address on behalf of the Wellington City Council and adjoining counties was délivered by the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup). ‘The farming products of New Zealand are its lifeblood," remarked the Mayor during his speech, "and it is a matter of gratitication .to the people of New Zealand that Lord Bledisloe has such a specialised knowledge of farming. Coming as

Lord Bledisloe does with his experietice in a multiplicity of public affairs, he could possess no higher qualifications for the position to which he has succeeded." .In conclusion, the Mayor read a formal address of welcome. FTER returning thanks for the very cordial welcome accorded to himself and Lady Bledisloe, His DPxcellency stated during a formal speech that there were few cities in the British Empire that had made such remarkable growth as had Wellington since the seat of Government was established there. "Regarding farming," continued Lord Bledisloe, "I wish to make it perfectly clear that I have not come to this

country with the idea that I am going to teach the people on the land anything. I am no pundit, and I have come to learn." Continuing, His Hxcellency stated that he was prepared to foster in any possible way the industrial activities of the country. In conclusion, Lord Bledisloe remarked that after that night he and Lady Bledisloe felt that they were no longer strangers to the Dominion, but they were encouraged by the goodwill and friendliness of the people to hope that when their duties came to an end the people would be prepared to admit they had at least done _ their best, Prior to this, the ceremony assotiated with the swearing-in of the new Governor-General was broadcast by 2YA and rebroadcast by 3YA.