The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, NOV. 15, 1888.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2551, 15 November 1888, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, NOV. 15, 1888.

The gubernatorial changes about to take place in some of the colonies have revived the question of making these appointments elective by the people of these, dependencies. It is claimed at. least that the colonial Governments should be allowed a voice in the choice of governors to rule the colonies This new phase Ims been introduced into the arena of colonial politics by the isolated action of Sir Thomas Mcll wraith, the Premier of Qin ensland, who somewhat arrogantly intimated to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that he expected to be consulted on the appointment of a successor to the late governor of that colony, Sir Anthony Musgrave. Lord Knutsford his very properly refused to accede to this sudden, and not very polite, attempt to invade the Imperial prerogative. The constitutions of the colonies do not admit of any interference on the part of a colonial Government with the power of the Crown. Until the constitutions are altered and the of the colonies are advanced by their own Legislatures, and admitted by the Imperial Parliament, such a demand as that preferred by the Queensland Premior is nothing short of an impertinence It is an unfortunate thing 1 , and one that so often brings contempt upon our public men, that many of the leading statesmen of the colonies are, so wretchedly deficient in what Sir Julius ogel called " the usages of good society." In addition to lack of well-bred manners and diplomatic polish necessary iu the judicious conduct of international intercourse, there is also the drawback that the narrow range of their political experience Jills them with an inflated notion of their own importance. What sort of 11 spectacle can we call that presented by the politician, who lias been temporarily placed at the head of the affairs of a dependency containing four hundred thousand or six hundred thousand inhabitants in a transitory condition of progress, so puffed up with his own conceit that ho assumes a defiant and dictatorial attitude towards the capable statesmen and rulers of a powerful and mighty empire comprising hundreds of millions of people 1 This must not only be trying to the patience of the Imperial authorities, whose disposition is one of generosity and forbearance towards the colonies, but it is very trying to the right-thinking section of the colonists themselves. It is not the question itself that will be condemned, but the intrusive manner in which the point has been so unceremoniously raised. When the subject is discussed in a broad spirit there are found sound reasons in favour of extending to the Colonial Governments the right to a consultative voice in the selection of their Governors by the Imperial Government. Very rarely indeed does it happen that any other but able and fit men are selected by Her Majesty's Ministers to fill important posts in the colonies or iu foreign countries. It would, therefore, be under extremely exceptional cases that any Colonial Government would raise objections to the proposed appointments. It would be a gracious act on the part of the Home Government to concede this privilege as a generous recognition of the material and substantial progress of the colonies. And looking even beyond mere sentiment, it would be a practical step in advance towards the realisation of Imperial Confederation. The English Press view the question in a broad light, and strongly advocate the right of a consultative voice being conferred on the colonies.

There are times when the public ear is treated to some amazing arguments touching the question of an elective Governor, which, were it not that they are clothed with the glamour of a mischievous eloquence that dazzles the understanding of an ordinary audience, could only be regarded as characteristic of the demagogue. It is charged against the British Government that they appoint peers of the House of Lords to Governorships to get rid of political opponents, and that the Secretary of State is guilty of an act of tyranny in compelling the colonies to accept whomsoever he may select: that he is a party man, and lias no other consideration in making these appointments than to serve the interests of his party. This is all utterly false. There are very few peers who obtain gubernatorial appointments, and there are none who are actively participating in political life who absent themselves from their country, or will permit themselves to be "got rid of" to please their opponents. The Secretary of State is not a party man in so far as the colonies

arc concern'.hl, for he is absolutely removed, and is entirely free, froim the influences of the internal politics of the colonies ; nor, can it be. sustained that in the exercise of the power attached to his office, by law and the pn rogativc of the Crown, he can be accused of tyranny when lie recommends to Her Majesty the appointment of one whom he may select to fill the post of Governor of a colony. There would bo, however, the greatest possible clanger to be encountered in making the Governor elective by the colonists from among their own public men. He would be undoubtedly a party man of a very pronounced character. We have only to cast our eyes along the ranks of the men who are most prominent in the politic field of this colony to satisfy ourselves that there is not one worthy of being elevated to such a high and responsible position without strong party predilections, or who could be entrusted to preserve the political affairs of the country from falling into a state of confusion approaching the anarchy of the South American Republics. Should a man with an autocratic turn of mind like Sir Gaorge Grey, with his inidyinnr hatred of the Colonial Office and Imperial Governor Office, or one like the Premier of Queensland with his forwardness, bo elected Governor, he would jeopardise the continuation of the friendly feelings existing with the Mother Country, and would quarrel with the Imperial Government, should the latter find it expedient to recommend Her Majesty to disallow any Acts of the colonial Legislature which affected his party. An elective Governor would be invested with the right oE veto, and as a strong p.irty man, he would use it in the interest of his party, an element of power of a personal nature highly dangerous to the safety of popular rights. We would never have able men like our present excellent Governor, Sir William Jervois, who, during his term of office, has not only been of immense service to these colonies, but has also aided in no small measure in strengthening the bond of loyalty and affection with the Mother Country. Under no other conditions could there be more direct communication with, or approach to, the Sovereign than there is at present, which, according to the strict rule, of the court, is through Her Majesty's responsible advisers or Private Secretaries. In all cases where high State appointments are to be filled, the Queen's approval must be obtained by the Minister, who recommends them before they are finally decided upon.