THE USES OF A GOVERNOR.

Southland Times, Issue 1693, 24 January 1873, Page 3

THE USES OF A GOVERNOR.

In an article on the above subject, the Nelson Examiner says .—New Zealand is unfavorably constituted for experiencing the good influences of a Governor as such. The decentralization of which we have often to speak, multiplies the obstacles to his official usefulness, by hindering him from extending widely the sphere of bis courtesies and hospitality. We wish to say no unkind thing of ourparting Governor, and are ready to hope that the more favorable circum stances of a compact, centralized State like Victoria, will euable him to be more useful and popular than he has been among us. Our present glance is, however, cast a little forward. Whatever in the more distant future tbe form of our institutions may be, there is no immediate prospect of a formal change ; and we turn to the other aspect of the case to point out, that the personal qualities of a man in the position of Governor may be of great value to the country in which he lives for a few years. We should not wish to see him attempting to guide in those questions purely political, on which, below the surface, parties are really divided. Unity or Separation, I Provincialism and Colonialism — questions of the distribution of power — he may well leave untouched. But tbe practical work to which the national powers ought to be applied — Education, primary and superior, including the* pursuit of science and its practical application to our new circumstances ; colonization, including the wise development of our Public Works plans— these are subjects which ought to be and really are outside the ground occupied by either of the working political parties, and on these, a man of sense, education, honest convictions, and industry, may make himself a power in the country. We read with no small pleasure the testimonies to the good qualities of Sir J. Fergusson which the Australian press and bis own words afford. He seems to be a sterling man, who, if he has strength and industry to study the country and its people from a point of view outside local party, may by his personal influence mitigate much evil, and do much active good here.