The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 23. HIS EXCELLENCY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 396, 23 May 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, MAY 23. HIS EXCELLENCY.

The direct representatives of the ]ate King Edward throughout his Empire had been much' (helped by having for their ruler and pattern a Sovereign whose remarkable genius for diplomacy necessarily imbued those gentlemen with the highest, ideals. As far as Australasia, is concerned, the past nine years may 'be remembered as particularly successful from the paint of view of regal representation, for His Majesty King Edward so fully understood! the aspirations, hopes, and ideals of his subjects beyond j the seas that his selection was most happy, Whatever smail antagonism to kingly representation there may be in any of the colonies, there is no doubt that the great bulk of the people know that such representation is not only a safeguard of their rights, but a real and necessary bond with the heart of the Empire. A Governor in New Zealand, exactly as a Sovereign in Britain, must be uninfluenced by party politics or the pettiness of personal inclinations, desires, and ambitions. His position is arduous in the -highest degree, and he is so much in the eye of the public that in many regards lie is not a free agent. His rounds of duty necessitate great mental and physical application, and the public is very often unwilling to permit him those relaxations that the average person expects. Lord tPluriket, from the time he landed in New Zealand—on one of the wettest, most miserable days possible —has thrown himself into his work with ardour and' success. Succeeding the Earl of Ranfurly, who, together with Ms Countess, had endeared himself to the people by his qualities of head and heart, Lordi Plunket, essentially a nervous and diffident mian, was set a difficult task. But if the diffidence has never quite worn off, Lord Plunket had sc many of the eminent qualities of his famous father, the Archbishop of Dublin, that he 'has been able to win the respect andl affection of the whole of th< people of New Zealand. Previous to his arrival in New Zealand in 1904 he hac been an attache to the Embassy al Rome, and! later at Constantinople, sc that 'With later experience as secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland hi received the "diplomatic training so neces saxy for a mian who becomes Governo; of a colony, where a very real diplomacy is necessary, and where many section of the community are extremely semsa • tive and "difficult." The prevailing fea tuie of thie lives of Lord and Lad; Plunket during their long residence ii New Zealand has been a gentle simplicity and, a charming digjiity. In his thou sands of public appearances Lord Plun ket 'has been careful to stay what was ii his heart to say, in such a manner tha ' it not only carried conviction, but di< not wound the feelings of a particular!; susceptible public. Although high!; diplomatic, His Excellency has showi that 'he possesses' strong opinions, an< these opinions tend in the direction mori of social betterment, high, ideals in life and purity of thought and action thai mere momentary effect. His devotioi has been shown not only toy persona interest in every scheme for the better mfent of the people, but by unosten tatious beneficiencies and personal help One of the most delightful of the Govei nor's characteristics is his exceeding!; keen sense of humor. He lias the tru Irish temperament, and when ih weighty duties of his office have per mitted (hian relaxation, he has become i delightful raconteur and the best of goocompany. One of the heaviest dutie required' of a Governor is that he mus be perpetually itinerant, and we havlately had' some samples! of what is ex ■pected of him, in the complaints fron wayside townships that he had no called- on the -people. The point that th "Governor is a mere human being, am that he hasi been a very ill man lately does not seem to occur to everybody Apart from his tact and general manage ment of his 'high duties, Lord Plunke will be remembered very affectionate!; as a true 'humanitarian. With Lad; Plunket he had been the means of plant ■ ingi many splendid institutions in Nev Zealand. , He is the father of sevei young) children, and, very naturally, tlx . minds of himself and Lady Plunkel turned- to the children among whom the; lived'. Lady 'Plunket did an immensi amount of good for the babies of Nev Zealand, and if a section of the publii had not been stupidly prejudiced durin; the first few' weeks she was here sh< might have done even more. A verj natural comment from her Ladyshij that New Zealand girls dressed much tot expensively brought quite a- torrent o; angry invective down on her. It waf the fact that the allegation is true thai made people angry. Lady Plunket noi only gave every worthy scheme the sup port of her presence and influence, but although, like the Governor, diffidenl 'and retiring, she bravely lectured wherever possible on the subject of the preservation of child life. The subject is the greatest that can -possibly be spoken of, for on the quantity and quality oi the children rest the future prosperity of New Zealand. If Lord and Lady Plunket had perf6rmed no outstanding acts other than a Teal championship of the Ibalbies' cause they would be worthy of our highest esteem and best affection. It i® something; of a sad coincidence that Lord Phinket's term of office is expiring when the Empire mourns the loss of his great Master, but one outstanding fact mar be emphasised. The Monarchy at present stands on a stronger foundation than ever. The great personal qualities of Kins Edward popularised the Monarchv, if such a -phrase is permitted, and he left the Em-

pire convinced that if the new King and J the Kingte representatives based their & rule and actions on his kingly conduct, f( there would be loyalty and happiness Bi throughout King George's domains. If ti Lord Islington, the successor of Lord Plunket, interests himself in the real C life of the country as His Excellency has * done, 'his term of office will bepprodu- t tive of happiness to himself and the c people and of benefit to the Dominion. 0