THE CHANGE OF GOVERNORS. Lord Plunket's Advent.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 208, 25 June 1904, Page 6

THE CHANGE OF GOVERNORS. Lord Plunket's Advent.

LORD Ranfurly has passed out of New Zealand history, and Lord Plunket reigns m his stead. Although we are fond of reminding ourselves that the Governor is a mere figure-head m the politics of a self-governing country like ours, the fact remains that he exerts a very subtle power m the community over which he presides. Society takes its tone very largely from Government House, and the Governor is able, by virtue of his position, to strongly influence for good or for ill the very people who are foremost in letting you know he is a mere nonentity. There ls not the slightest doubt that the Ranfurlys have left their impress on New Zealand in a variety of ways which will keep their memory sweet and green. No foolish notions of blue blood or family pride ever marred their relations with the people at large. They went everywhere zn the most unostentatious fashion, were kind and affable to all classes, and took a hearty interest m the welfare of the humblest. In the City Council's address of farewell to the departing Governor on Monday last there was a strange a.nd unfortunate omission. Not a word about Lady Ranfurly And yet, we make bold to say, a more charming hostess never graced Government House or endeared herself more surely with all classes • • • Lord Ranfurly's services m winning recognition for the veterans, and procuring for them a Home, owe their success largely to Lady Ranfurly's cordial co-operation. She also gave valuable help in the provision that has been made for the education of Maori girls, and every good cause had her active support and sympathy. Our late Governor, besides awakening the colony to a sense of its duty to* its old soldiers, was foremost m cheering on our young soldiers with friendly and inspiriting messages while they were serving the Empire in South Afuca He has exerted himself also to encourage the prosecution of ambulance work and the dissemination of first-aid knowledge Above all, he was an ardent Imperialist, and, like King Dick himself, missed no opportunity to inculcate a sense of pride in our flag and Empire. # ♦ » Lord and Lady Plunkefc bid fair to win the suffrages which their predecessors held. The brief and tactful

speeches of the new Governor, the gracious and unaffected demeanour of his fair consort, and the bright and homely touch that was given to Monday's ceremonial by their four little girls, all appealed to the hearts of the people Their reception was warm and sunny enough, even though the weather was cold and dismal We have not the slightest doubt that they will maintain the best traditions of Government House. • * * Lord Phmket is a diplomatist himself, and may be trusted, therefore, not to overstep his proper functions His own predilections and training may be presumed to prompt him to lend his aid and countenance to philanthropic movements We don't suppose he will allow any society clique or coterie to run Government House for him. He will find that sort of exclusive person cropping up, and ready to give instruction in the art of dispensing vice-regal hospitality. In short, Plunket looks sensible and level-headed If he keeps on as well as he has begun, he Iwill make a popular Governor all right.