VICE-REGAL TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 151, 23 December 1929, Page 13

VICE-REGAL TOUR

MASTERTON'S FAREWELL

Begret at the pending departuro of Their Excellencies Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson was shown, by the people of Mastcrton on Saturday afternoon, when they paid a farewell visit to the town. Their Excellencies arrived about noon, and were- the guests of the borough at a luncheon. Shortly after 2 p.m. they visited the Scouts' Den, and Sir Charles later presented the prizes won during the year by boys and girls of the Wairarapa Agricultural Club. A civic reception was held at the Municipal Buildings. Their Excellencies loft for Wellington about 4 p.m. CIVIC LUNCHEON. The civic luncheon was presided over by the Mayor of Mastcrton (Mr. T. Jordan). Tho toast of Their Excellencies was proposed by Messrs. J. W. Card, Mayor of Featherstoii, and W. IT. Martin, Mayor of Martinborough. His Excellency expressed thanks for tho opportunity given him to visit the Wairarapa and say farewell to its people. Their five- years in New Zealand had been very happy, and now when it camo to say good-byo they found it most difficult: They felt that a definite phase of their life was over. Not the least of the pleasures in New Zealand, he said, had been with the children. There were no children like tho New Zealand children, he said. They had made friends with them all, and the children had endeared themselves greatly to Their Excellencies. When they arrived Home, Sir Charles continued, they hoped to be able to do something for New Zealand. Lord Jellieoc was doing line work there, and if ho could assist in that work he would bo only too glad to do so. Ho concluded by stating that he hoped visiting New Zealanders in Scotland would ■enable him and Lady Alice to repay, if only in a small way, some of the kindness they had received in New Zealand. (Applause.) ■ When Their Excellencies arrived at tho Municipal Buildings for the civic reception tho Boy Scouts and Girl Guides formed guards of honour, and were inspected by Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson respectively. Mr. T. Jordan presided at tho reception. "Wo are glad to have this opportunity of expressing to His Majesty, through his representative, our gratitude and relief that he is "once more restored in health to his people," said tho Mayor. '' Our prayer is that he may be spared for long years to come to rule over these fortunate isles." Mr. Jordan went on to say that within recent years many European crowns had crashed, some of them deep-rooted and centuries old; the British Crown had remained firm. What was its secret? In a great measure, Mr. Jordan thought, to Their Majesties' performance of a high form of public service and to their untiring devotion to the common weal. Those in England had an example in constant attention to public service in Their Majesties. When the crisis of the King's illness had passed, he had sent out a wonderful message to his subjects that his earnest desire was to gain the confidence and affection of his people; this, in New Zealand, was personified by Their Excellencies. In their term of office they had been a living example of public service and devoted interest to the common weal—their record had never been surpassed in tho history of v the Dominion. They had set a new standard in the performance of tho duties of their high office. In all tire people's difficulties and activities they had evinced interest and understanding, and it had seemed that they were part and parcel of New Zealand life. Mr. Jordan said he hoped His Excellency's knowledge of the Dominion and its affairs would not be lost in the counsels of the nation.

Mr. G. K. Sykes, M.P. for Masterton, expressed the hope that some time, in the future Their Excellencies might be able to revisit New. Zealand, when they would always be sure of a royal welcome.

Colonel T. "W. M'Donald, M.P. for Wairarapa, also spoke.

"MUTUAL SYMPATHY."

"I do not think I can attempt to thank the speakers for their generous words." said His Excellency, who on 'rising to reply was greeted with sustained applause. '' We appreciate them to the full, but it would be difficult for mo to express our- thanks in adequate words, for in doing so it might sound as though we accepted those words as illustrating something we have done. I think, in the kindness of your hearts, you exaggerated what we have done, the while indulgent to our deficiencies."

His Excellency spoke first to the children. He recommended all boys and girls to study the history of their own country, where they would find the virtues of the British race, and where, too, they would see the high standard set by their forbears and where they would discover those qualities that made people happy, prosperous, and contented.

What he and Lady Alice had tried to do here, His Excellency continued, was to make closer' the bonds binding the Empire together. It was truly said that His Majesty entered close into the lives of the public, and by his sympathy and understanding he had attained a wonderful position in the hearts of the people. He had tried to bring it homo to the; people of New Zealand that sympathy and understanding His Majesty evinced to people- in all parts of the Empire.. Only by getting to know the people and their interests and aspirations could be attained that mutual sympathy that bound all together. It was the knowledge of each other that built up sympathy and understanding. Half present-day troubles we.ro due to the fact that people did not know each other, did not understand, and were suspicious.