THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2025, 20 August 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1880.

In these days when every effort is being made to reduce the expenses of Government and bring the expenditure of the colony within its income, it is necessary that every item to bo spent should be carefully scanned, and the Government is expected to lose no opportunity of carrying into effect its policy of economy in every direction. Attention was called at an early part of tho session to the salary of the Governor as being beyond the resources of the colony. In the halcyon days gone by no one grudged tho Governor for the time being the sum that was paid him for his services. The position is ono of great responsibility, and, although his tenure of office may pass over without his being called upon to exercise his judgment in any case of importance, yet a crisis may at any time arise when tho Representative of the Queen may prove to the colony that the office is not a more sinecure. At such a juncture the difference between tho sound and statesmanlike views of an efficient man make all the difference. His tact, knowledge, and firmness are all brought into play, and may save tho colony from severe damage. But while granting all this, it would appear as if the sum New Zealand pays to her Governors is somewhat in excess of that which might ho expected from her present financial position, as compared with tho other Australian colonies. As our readers are aware, the Governor receives a salary of £SOOO, and £2500 allowances, making a total of £7500. In Victoria tho Queen’s representative receives £10,000; in New South Wales, £7000; in South Australia, £5000; in Queensland, £5000; in Tasmania, £3500; and in Western Australia, £2500. It will he seen from these statistics that tho Governor of New Zealand receives the second highest salary in these colonies, although if the revenues of the several colonies are taken into account. Now Zealand stands but third on the list. Even this hardly places tho state of the case fairly before the enquirer. Now Zealand is hurthened by an overwhelming debt, far in excess, as compared with the population, of the debts of the other colonies, and, speaking generally, she has the greatest need of them all to exercise the strictest economy in every department. It seems to us, therefore, that tho Government might very well take some steps towards reducing the item alluded to. Such a course would mean no disrespect to the Imperial Government, and it would he impossible for that body to fail to see that our circumstances alone have induced us to curtail the very handsome salary hitherto paid to the Queen’s representative, which might very well be reduced, so as to placo it third on list, instead of second. The process would he a logical conclusion, derived from the study of the revenue returns of the various colonies. Moreover, the salaries of tho Civil Service generally, and of the Ministers themselves, are being cut down, so that it would bo very evident to the Imperial authorities that no invidious distinction was being made in the case of the Governor’s stipend, hut that New Zealand really cannot afford such a highly paid official. When the matter was suggested to Mr. Hall’s Government a difficulty at once presented itself. This was before tho appointment of Sir Hercules Robinson to the Cape. The Premier stated that the Governor, having been appointed on the understanding that he was to receive a certain sum of money per annum, no change could he made. Shortly after this Sir Hercules accepts his now post, and Sir Arthur Gordon is chosen for New Zealand. The colonies not being consulted in these matters, Sir Arthur, of course, signified his willingness to accept tho office without tho New Zealand Government knowing anything about it, and without their being able to notify any wish they might have that his salary might he somewhat reduced. This was again pointed out later iu the session, aud tho colony naturally saw that it was hound to give the now Governor the ordinary sum during his tenure of power. Now, unless something is done, this sort of thing may go on ad infinitum. If it is indeed thought desirable that the Governor’s salary should he brought down more within the limits of what wo might be expected to pay, under the circumstances of tho colony, some practical conclusion should at once be arrived at. A resolution might very well he passed by tho House, notifying its desire that, for the future, the salaries of our governors might be reduced to such and such a sum. The Imperial authorities would then be in possession of tho wishes of tho colony on tho subject, aud ou the appointment of a new man, they would he able to make the necessary arrangements. Unless ground is broken in some such way as this, wo are unable to see who is to commence iu tho matter. The Imperial authorities cannot, because they are not iu possession of tho wishes of the colony; the colony cannot, because a new Governor is always appointed without its being in any way consulted. Suppose, for instance, Sir Arthur Gordon were removed next year to somo other post, the present position would bo again repeated and the salary of tho next Governor would be insured to him during Ms period of office. We trust, therefore, holding the opinion that wo do that economy is desirable in every direction, that tho Government will move in this matter before the House is prorogued. Wo defer to none in the honour in which we hold tho office of her Majesty’s representative, but times are very hard, aud it would be false sentiment that would hold that tho Governor should ho remunerated at a rate which tho colony cannot at present afford. If tho Imperial authorities wore aware of tho facts of tho case, it is certain that they would ho thankful for an expression of opinion on the matter by the Legislature.