"GOVERNOR GREY."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1800, 27 March 1888, Page 4

"GOVERNOR GREY."

In view of the fact that Sir William ' Jervois has nearly fulfilled the term of an average Colonial Governorshir m New Zealand, and that as yet there has been no hint of any intention on the part of the Imperial Government to re-appoint Wellington and Auckland are beginning to interest themselves m the k matter, though m totally different One of our Wellington urges that it is of infinite m the present threatening W aspect of European affairs, and m view P of the increasing risk of the colony at any time buffering from the involvement of the Mother Country m European m disputes, that "New Zealand should continue to enjoy the advantage of having a military man at the head of affairs, and that as the present Governor is precisely the man for the position, every effort should be put forth to secure his retention therein. To this end it suggests that Ministers should lose no time m making representations to Her Majesty's Government who should be respectfully requested to consider the expediency of re-appointing Sir William on the expiry of his current term of office. On the other hand Auckland is anxious to take an entirely new departure, and proposes to ask the Home authorities to nominate Sir Geo. Grey as fcir William's successor. It is pointed out that Sir George is himself a military man, and that be has proved his governing capacity here and at the Cape, while his services m the cause of liberal legislation are also dwelt upon. The " Wanganui Herald " (Mr Ballance's paj>er), we observe, backs up the Aucklanders m their proposal, It says : — " Governor Grey will always be a notable name m the annals of New Zealand, and it would be an interesting addition to our history if we were to have a second period of * Governor Grey,' 1 virtually determined by the people. The proposal made by the " Auckland Star "is a perfectly reasonable one. If the people of Now Zealand think Sir Geo. Grey would make a good Governor, why should they not petition m that behalf? It would serve a double object. It would show Downing street that we claimed the right to have a voice m the appointment of our Governor, and it would lead probably to a change m the eonstitutfon, by which the head of the colony should be elected by the people. The personal part of the question is not of so much moment. Sir George Grey is an old man, and has nearly run his course, but it would be a fitting termination to an extraordinary career, and an honorable reward for many services m behalf of the colony. The petition should be very largely signed ; it would probably, m the true sense of the terra, fee' a monster petition.' The principle really involved is — Whether the people should have the right to choose their own Governor, or whether the Imperial Government should continue to appoint broken-down noblemen, or played-out politicians, to recruit their fortunes at the expense of the people of the colony ? Auckland m this matter must take the lead ; it will be well supported." Now we are, m the first place, not by any means sure that it is necessary, or even specially desirable that we should have a military man as Governor, and though we readily admit that Sir William Jervois has fulfilled the duties of his office with ability, and to the satisfaction of the colony generally — yet so also did the Marquis of Norman by and l"ir Hercules Kobinson, and others who have represented Her Majesty, and we see no reason why we should go out of our way to ask for his appointment for a second term ; while as regards Sir George Grey, he himself is an example that second terms of office seldom contrast favorably with first terras. Indeed, we do not think that those who would 6eek for Sir George what would really be a third term of office are, acting m his best interests. Since he emerged from the seclusion of Kawau and took part m. the political arena he has not been a success and we are persuaded that his appointment as Governor of the colony would prove to be a mistake. We can understand the Wanganui " Herald " supporting the proposal. It is not because of any special admiration for Sir George (irey, but because his appointment upon petition would be almost tantamount to a recognition of the- principle of elective Governors which that paper supports. But we deprecate such a side-wind method of settling a very debateable question. Let the question of elective governorships be debated by all means, and if it be affirmed by the people thp^t Buch a change of constitution is desivetl then let it be asked for and obtain^ j n ' the constitutional way — do not let us seek to bring it about by the estab lishment of a precedent F,efc up, not on the ground of principle, but on the merits of an exceptional case as, to quote the "JbLc-rald," "a fitting termination to an extraordinary career, and an honorable reward for many services m behalf of the colony." No doubt a very large number would sign a petition for. the appointment of Sir George Grey (notcounting the thousands who will sign anything that does'nt involve a subscription), but then there is also probably an equally largo number who would sign a counter-petition, and if so Downing street would naturally I reply "when the people of New Zr^L ! land are able to agree among themselves we will consider of giving effect tr> their : wishes," and cut the gordian l^ot by appointing somebody else. it George Grey has long desired to b' d the elected Governor of New Zealand and would, if we had the elective pimciple m operation, probably stand a Detter c hauce of election than anybody else, but for all that we do tiot see the smallest probability of its coming about, (.-ince the above was written it has been cabled f that Mr Ceicil Raikes, the present Post-master-General, is likely to receive the appointment.)