SIR ARTHUR GORDON.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2032, 28 August 1880, Page 3

SIR ARTHUR GORDON.

Referring to the appointment of Sir Arthur Gordon to the Governorship of New Zealand, the " Sydney Morning Herald " obsorves :—" Sir Hercules Robinson's translation to the Cape has prepared the way for Sir Arthur Gordon's removal from Fiji. This removal will not create Burpriee, and it will probably not be made a cause of complaint. When Sir Arthur returned to Fiji last year, it was understood that his stay would not be long, and accordingly the first opening that has been made haß led to his promotion to a larger sphere. It can hardly bo said that the promotion has been undeserved. Sir Arthur Gordon has had pioneering work to do in the South Seis, and, upon the whole, he has done it ably and well. When he wont to Fiji, just five years ago, he fouad the islands ia a stato of transition ; he is now leaving them in a state of comparative settledness and prosperity. At that time the wisdom of annoxing Fiji was sometimes gravely and sometimes not very gravely doubted ; now all doubta as to the annexation policy have ceased to exist. It cannot bo said that the progress of tho young colony is solely duo to the efforts of tho Governor, but it is only justice to say that it is due to these in no small degree. Sir Arthur Gordon's policy, and some times his actions, have been adversely criticised. He has been accused of being overbearing in his conduct towards the colonists j it has also beon complained that his consideration for the natives has amounted to a weakness. Both his land and his native policy have boon found fault with, and occasionally, perhaps, not without reason. But considering tho difficulties he had to face, and the disadvantages under which he labored, the wonder is that ho has done so well. Sir Arthur's elevation to a larger sphere has been fairly earned, and we have no doubt that the future will amply justify it. His Bxcellenoy will have difficulties among the politicians of Hew Zealand that may be found to bo more than equal to those which ho has had among the planters of Fiji; but in New Zealand he will have the example of a shrewd_ and cautious predecessor boforo him, and this ho will have good Bense enough to follow,"