THE GOVERNORSHIP DISPUTE. BLAKE'S APPOINTMENT NOT CANCELLED.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 318, 21 November 1888, Page 5

THE GOVERNORSHIP DISPUTE. BLAKE'S APPOINTMENT NOT CANCELLED.

London, November 16. Baron de Worms, Political Undersecretary for the Colonies, denies the statement that Sir H, A. Blake's appointment as Governor of Queensland bas been cancelled. Lord Knutsford has informed Sir Arthur Blyth, Agenti General for South Australia, that while he will not permit the colonies to shave the responsibility of the appointment of Governors, he is disposed to consult colonial Governments wherevei ! possible. The telegram from Sir Thomas Mcllwiaith, Premier of Queensland, containing his objections to Sir H. A. B lake's appointment, was read in the House of Commons to-day, and was received with cheers by the Parnellite party. Referring to the statement that Queensland would not provide the Governor's salary if Sir H. A. Blake's appointment was insisted upon, Sir J. E. Gorst iem irked that provision was made for the Governor's salary by permanent law and not by annual appropriation Lord Knutsford has informed Sir A. Blyth that the appointment of a Governor for Scutli Austialia will be defened until the Queensland question is settled. '

London, November 17. Lord Brassey, in the coutse of a speech at Liverpool, said the colonial Governments were certain to become more exacting in their demands. Regarding the appointments of Governors, the demands, he thought, were reasonable and natural, and it would be a wise step on the part of the Government to compiy with them, in order to prevent a uipture with the colonies. The "Times," refeiring to Sir Thomas Mcliwraith's objections to the appointment of Sir H. A. Blake as Governor of Queensland, considers them inaccurate, vague, and elastic, and will strengthen the surmise that the Queensland Government are mistaken. It adds that the objections will assist Lord Knutsford, Secretary for the colonies, a little in deciding whether the protest of Queensland is fictitious. The " Times " endorses the view taken by Mr Gillies, Premier of Victoria, with refeience to the appointment of colonial Governors, and hopes that no person not desirous of severing the present relations between the mother country and the colonies will think otherwise.

London, November 18. The "Spectator" says that, while the colonies regard the Queen as their Sovereign, they cannot be allowed to pick and choose Governors aibiirarily. It urges Lord Knutsford not to comply with the unreasonable caprices of the Queensland Government. The " Economist. " considers it would be better to stand the risk of losing a colony than allow ihe Imperial Government to become feeble and inept. It adds that it is difficult to see the advantage of retaining a colony requiring protection, and embarrassing the foreign policy of the Queen. Lord Balfour of Burleigh will sue ceed Lord Onslow as Political Under-. Secretary of the Board of Trade. Lord Knutsford, in a letter to Sir A. Blyth, Age^t-GenualforSouth Australia, reiterates the arguments used in replying to the demand of the Queensland Premier. The Secretary of State adds Hiat apait from his imperial tunctions the Governor occupies a position which precludes a local Ministry from a possibility of a voice in his election. Were such a course adopted, the Governmeut would inevitably be suspected of paitiahty towards the Ministry who favoured his selection. Lord Knutsfura further sa) she would be unable to ask a high-minded man to accept a Governorship subject to the approval of a colony.