NEW ZEALAND’S FUTURE GOVERNOR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 15, 4 January 1873, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND’S FUTURE GOVERNOR.

(From the Australasian.) .tn speaking of the approaching departure of Sir James Fergusson for England on a short visit, preparatory to assuming the Governorship of N*w Zealand, the South Australian correspondent of the Argos says that it is astonishing how few regrets will follow his Excellency. It appears that Sir James has been discontented with his position, and has taken no pains to Conceal his dissatisfaction ; he has refused to identify himself in any way with the people under his government, and has Aiown a want of sympathy with colonial institutions generally. These, no doubt, are grave faults in a Governor, and it would be well if they were brought under the notice of the Earl of Kimberley, so that while Sir James is in England the Secretary of State might gently admonish him on the subject of his shortcomings. Nowhere throughout the Queen’s dominions are the representatives of her Majesty treated with greater respect or kindness than in these Australian colonies. They are welcomed and made much of wherever they go, high and low alike being always ready to place the best they can afford at their disposal, in a spirit of genuine hospitality. We make bad courtiers, it is true, and have a ready knack of calling a spade a spade, but we do.not think that any gentleman who respects himself will think any the less of us because we are not skilled to* cringe, and crawl, and fawn- on those in office. Perhaps the South Australians are too independent to please their pro-consul. If the colonists cannot command the sympathies of their Governors, they have at least a right to insist on an interest being taken in their affairs. It is as much the duty of a Governor to take a prominent part in every movement calculated to promote the social well being of the people under his rule as it is for him to attach nis signature to an act of Parliament, or do any official deed required of him in virtue of his office. So much for the “ Governor,” but what shall we say of the “man” who can preside over the affairs of one of these young, but rapidly growing communities for a series of years without finding anything to engage his attention, or enlist his sympathies ? Who can watch the earnest, though oftentimes crude and mistaken efforts, political, commercial, and social, they are putting forth as they struggle onward towards national manhood, and yet continue to dwell on some serene height, unmoved by the joys or sorrows, the fears or aspirations of the people with whose interests he is charged. Shall we be far out if we say that he must either be very selfish or very foolish ?