THE GOVERNOR AND THE EXECUTIVE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3219, 24 October 1881, Page 3

THE GOVERNOR AND THE EXECUTIVE.

(New Zealand Times, October 22.) The talk of the city and of the clubs concerning the present political position is interesting—nay more, it is exciting, for it indicates a position of affairs unprecedented in New Zealand history. The Governor of the colony saw fit during the recent sitting of Parliament, when the House was in the throes of divided counsels, to leave the colony to attend to his duties as High Commissioner in' the Fijis. His departure raised the question whether he had not by such act virtually abrogated his position as Governor of this colony—a question yet undecided. In his absence, the Administrator of the Government, under the advice of his Council, deals with the native difficulty in a manner which tbe people from end to end of tbe colony welcome with approval. At the very juncture of affairs when deliberate judgment has taken the form of decided action, the Governor — that is, Bir Arthur Gordon —unexpectedly returns. Despatches have been sent him by k way of Queensland, so it is said—whether " from his private secretary, who had remained in Wellington, or from some other official channel, ia not yet clear. At all events, he returns as fast as steamship can bring him, and on his arrival almost instant rumors are afloat of di9sentions between himself and Ministers as to their action in dealing with Te Whiti and the native difficulty. Their deliberations are, of course, Cabinet secrets, but the position can be fairly reviewed from outside sources and the comparing of surrounding circumstances. The opinion of legal authorities — not a few, but many —is that the question raised by the Hon. Mr Gisborne during the late session as to the departure of the Governor from the colony can only be answered by the decision that, in departing, he virtually ceased to be Governor of the colony. It is significant tbat no notice of his resumption of office as Q-overnor has yet been gazetted. It is further significant of departure from accustomed ceremonial rule —and it may be added, an evidence of rank discourtesy—that Sir Arthur Gordon has not yet, so we understand, officially announced to the Administrator of the Government, Chief Justice Prendergasfc, tbat he has returned ; hence it may be assumed, ■*-- . that the colony is blessed, or otherwise, with two Governors! But the dual blessing, or honor, or privilege, call it what we may, does not end here. A " Gazette Extraordinary " announces the appointment of the Honorable John Bryce as Minister for Native affairs and Defence, vice the Honoi'able William Rolleston resigned. But the latter gentleman has not resigned, at least there is no official announcement yet made of such resignation, and thus again is the colony twice blessed. All this will, we doubt not, in a day or so be set straight, but the present position is a most unusual one. There is a duplication of Ministerial offices, and there iB the greater absurdity of a duplication of Governorship. At least, to put it correctly, there is an Administrator of Government legally installed in office, and there is an errant Governor, who suddenly returns from across the seas, and, without any proclamation of his resumption of office, enters into controversy with the Colonial Ministers, and threatens, so report says, to ignore their actions in regard to the Native difficulty, annul their proclamation, and necessitate the almost instant calling together of Parliament to deal with the position. A day or two will, we may hope, see all these complications adjusted. We have said that Sir Arthur Gordon will admit the advisability of endorsing the action of the Ministry in respect to Native matters, and that Ministers, on their part, will be most anxious to remove any doubts as to the position Sir Arthur Gordon at present holds, and to work cordially with him in advancing the true interests of the colony. We cannot imagine that public affairs will be deemed so critical as to necessitate the calling together of Parliament; . but should such emergency occur, it may be safely predicted that the action of the Governmen will meet with unanimous approval, and that the Governor—that is, Sir Arthur Gordon—will be severely blamed. Our anticipation is that no such crisis will eventuate ; but still the present emergent position of affairs is considered sufficiently serious by Ministers to preclude any idea of -- their leaving Wellington until a conclusion is arrived at.