The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6. PENALTIES OF EMINENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 356, 6 April 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6. PENALTIES OF EMINENCE.

In comparison with the work done by a man of eminence, the navvy's occupation is child's play, although the idea is generally accepted that only the person who "takes his coat off" is the real "working man." As an illustration of our point, we mention the work being done by Lord Plunket during his farewell flight through New Zealand. It will he seen from recent telegrams from the South that our retiring Governor has had so little time to spare, that he has been obliged to sleep in his railway carriage, so that he might be ready to move early enough to keep engagements ahead. There are people who regard the position of Governor of a great State as a sinecure; but the fact is, it entails a closer attention to detail than the head of a great firm need exerewe In addition to the actual business of the position it is necessary-especially in New Zealand—for a Governor to be a man of extraordinary tact, for on this his popularity and influence depend. During the office of Lord Plunket he has shown that his early training as a diplomat has been exceedingly useful to him, and it is to he remembered witii that he has been the King's representative during a period of events in the history of New Zealand that have been unique. It has been said that Lora Plunket, admiring the extraordinary care and examination of detail shown by his predecessor Earl Ranfurly, allows nothing to be done, by subordinates that he has time to attend to himself. How great a work the Governor of one of the King's dominions may" do is shown by the mere mention of names like those of Sir George Grey, the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava (father of Lady Plunket), Lord Milneiy and other great representatives of sovereignty. There is another phase besides the work of actual administration that makes one sorry for the eminent. It will be admitted that ceaseless formality must pall. President Taft, who by the accident of his position occupies a place as one of the earth's chief potentates, lias lately facetiously remarked that the afternoon tea business and being "nice" to people at White House is not "work" in the sense that a successful advocate of restless tendencies understands work. Conceive the physical strain of shaking •hands with seven hundred people, as President Taft recently did at Washington. As there were three hundred ladies still unsatisfied and desiring to indulge in the formal pastime of "shaking hands," President Taft declined to proceed with the ceremony. If it had been stated that the President retired physically exhausted, the fact would have been accepted. One of the punishments for being eminent is that the unfortunate person on the pedestal is perpetually in the limelight. Both his virtues and his failings are exaggerated. The action that in a carpenter would he regarded as a small failing would be deemed a large sin in a Governor. The King's representative who can for a period of years occupy his position with dignity, fairness, and tact, who can satisfy all parties, offending none, deserves all the eulogy and all the salary he is likely to get. Governors have made mistakes, and have been cordially disliked for them. It is only necessary to mention the "kirthstains" incident in regard to the Governorship of Lord Beauchamp to demonstrate how easy it is to rouse the ire of a, whole people. In regard to Lord Plunket, he has offended no one, and it is hoped that the sailor or soldierGovernor who is to succeed him will follow in his footsteps in at least this particular.