Our New Governor.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 April 1910, Page 4

Our New Governor.

A PEN SKETCH

The following sketch of New Zealand's new Governor, taken from a London journal, known as "Vanity Fair," tteats of Sir John Dickson-l'oynder as he appeared, politically, iu 1900:—

Ho is too sincere a politician to be quite successful. When Chippenham elected him in 1892 110 was a Conservative with ideals—always a threatening combination. He believed it tto be possible to conduct 'the affairs of the nation 011 business lines; efficiency, with a capital Jfi, was the political deity which he ignorantly Worshipped. And thus it came about that, from a party standpoint, 110 rapidly went from bad to worse. He had the inconceivable audacity to insinuate in the Hou.se tha.t Mr Brodrick, instead of being a heaven-born marshal, had not tho military intellect of a Snelgrove; he was progressive 011 the subject of trams, a.nd was quite offensive to Lord Hugh Cecil and that gentleman's friends 011 the subject of education. Finally, he declared himself a Freetrader, and thus filled the cup of his iniquities to the brim. The Government have put up a candidate against him in bis own constituency, while the Liberals in that locality have accepted him as their representative. He will be as unorthodox a Radical as he was heterodox in his Conservatism. This is the one fact which lightens the woe of the Central Conservative Office. But Sir John being a popular man, very wealthy, and of a pleasant countenance, pursues his career undisturbed by cautions from the Cabinet, and the whisperings of Whips. He may not be quite so optimistic as he Was thirteen years ago. Yet lie sta.nds by his opinions with a cheerful serenity. Moreover, he makes practical application of them in matters that are outside politics. On the London County Council he was ever opposed to municipal extravagance. He had the audacity to suggest that the council should leave business matters to business men. As ehairma.n of the Great Northern Hospital, he has laboured to promote a better understanding between the_ great hospitals, so that the charity of the metropolis may bo divided to their common advantage under the general guidance of King Edward's Hospital Fund. He has agitated to secure the regular employment of time-expired soldiers, and to reform the finanoial methods of tho friendly societies. Ho did good work upon the Royal Commission on London Traffic, the report of which body will be published very shortly. He conies of a good fighting stock, for of the five Dickson baronets before him three were admirals and two soldiers. It was in 1887 that he took the name of Ponyder, for reasons connected with a great legacy. He has travelled all over the world, and is now interested in gardening. He went out with his yeomanry during the war, and was placed on Lord Methuen's staff, and returned with a D.S.O. He is a good shot. Even those who cannot tolerate his politics, like him.