MARQUIS OF NORMANBY ON ELECTIVE GOVERNORS.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 404, 1 March 1879, Page 2

MARQUIS OF NORMANBY ON ELECTIVE GOVERNORS.

Lord Normanbv, in his farewell speech at Dunedin, said ; I have heard with much regret that of late it has been advocated that it would he to the advantage of New Zealand to have, instead of a representative of Her Majesty to preside over it, an elective Governor. I am glad to hear those exclamations, because I know that the subject has been mooted and considered. I am justified in mentioning it, because it is not only of local, but also of imperial interest. lam not going to enter into the argument as to whether an elec live governor is a good or had thing. Intelligent Americans, of whom I have met many, have told me that they consider the one difficulty in the working of their constitution is that the head of the Government of their country is elective ; but I want to put it plainly ; what is the meaning of this need of an elective Governor ? Simply separation from England. If this were put plainly before people they would not entertain it for a moment, but under such a covering as is now assumed it is possible that it might become a political cry, and once started the people might he carried away by it, and mischief arise. I am not now speaking as your Governor, and you can simply take my words for what they arc worth, but of this you maj 7 rest assured, neither the Governor, the Parliament, nor the people of England would ever think of recognising a colony that would refuse to receive Her Majesty’s representative. I have spoken warmly on this subject because I feel strongly on it, and I should grieve to see anything occur to weaken the ties now existing between this Colony and England.