FAREWELL TO LORD ISLINGTON

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3693, 30 November 1912, Page 7

FAREWELL TO LORD ISLINGTON

ADDRESSES PRESENTED AT AUCKLAND.

SOME INTERESTING SPEECHES,

[PBESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM] AUCKLAND, Nov. 29. At the farewell to the Governor (Lord Islington) there was enthusiasiastic applause when the Prime Minister rose to speak. Mr Massey said that regret was felt from one end of the country to the other at the fact that Imperial interests made it necessary • for the Governor to sever his connection with New Zealand. To the 'magnificent qualities of . its vice-regal representatives could be attributed very largely the fact that New Zealand was strongly Imperialistic and so ready to respond when the Empire called. to Lord Islington’s successor Mr Massey said he was confident that Lord Liverpool would be given a genuine and hearty welcome. —(Applause.)

“We have not heard the last of

Lord Islington,'’ Mv Massey continued. “Changes are imminent in connection with Imperial affairs and when those changes take place I venture to predict that Lord Islington will play a very prominent part in connection with them. It will be a good thing for the. nations of the South Pacific, that we filial! have at the councils of the Empire a gentleman who understands and who will he well able to represent us.” An enthusiastic demonstration was made when the Governor rose to respond. He said the gathering constituted a most gratifying and pleasant experience for himself and Lady Islington. Ostensibly tlie~peoplc had gathered to wish them happiness and prosperity and Lady Islington and lie in all sincerity desired to express those sentiments to the people. He expressed lappreeiation of the complimentary sentiments expressed in bite address presented to them and he thanked the Prime Minister for the cordial manner in which he had spoken and for the generous expressions lie had used in regard to his work during' the [leriod which he had been Governor. During his term he had tried to the best of liis ability to introduce all his energy into his work and in it lie had been assisted to an invaluable extent by the constant and devoted j co-operation of Lady Islington.—(Applause.) ■ Lord Islington said that though it had its constitutional limitations the position of Governor has potentialities and possibilities of widest possible Imperial value. The progress of a. nation must depend on the character of its*own people’and to support that principle was part of the work of a Governor.

In expressing liis appreciation of the address from the farmers Lord Islington spoke of the tremendous importance of the agricultural industry in New Zealand. He congratulated the country on the establishment of a system of military training, especially commending the officers and men to whose offices its successful inauguration was due. In his opinion the establishment of the system was the surest guarantee of peace for the country from external disturbances. — (Applause.) .Speaking of the graver problem of naval defence he mentioned that the two courses open to New Zealand were to continue its money contribution to the British Navy or to assist in maintaining a fleet in the South Pacific. He could not by the smallest limit suggest his opinion on this matter, but he expressed the hope that in the course of a very few months a conference would he held in some suitable place of responsible representatives of New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Great Britain to arrive at some decision that would be acceptable to the component parts of the Empire.