COLONIAL GOVERNORS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2553, 20 November 1888, Page 2

COLONIAL GOVERNORS.

(BY KLECTRIC TKI.KGSAPH—COPYRIGHT.) London - , November Lord Knutsford has informed Sir Arthur Blytli, Agent-General for South Australia, that while he will not permit the colonies to share the responsibility of the appointment of Govenors, he is disposed to consult colonial Governments wherever 3 "'rlie Secretary of the State adds that apart from his Imperial functions the Governor occenpies a position which precludes a Incal Ministry from the. possibility of a voice in his election. Were «uch a course adopted, the Governor would inevitably be suspected of partiality towards the Ministry who favoured his selection. He would be unable to ask a high-minded man to accept a Governorship subject to the apappioval of the colony. The Times endorsed the view taken by Mr Gillies, Premier of Victoria, with reference to the appointment of colonial Governors, and hopes that no person not desirious of Revering the present relations between the Mother Country and the colonies will think otherwise. The Spectator says that while the colonies regard the Queen -is their Sovereign, they cannot be allowed to pick and choose Governors arbitrarily. The Economist considers it would be better to stand the risk of losing a colony than allow the Imperial Government to become feeble and inept. It is difficult to see the advantage of retaining a colony requiring protection, and embarrassing tho foreign policy of the Queen. Sviisev, 'Novßinlwr 17. Sir H. P.irkiw has expressed an opinion that Governorships should bu confined to public men having experience of State atf.iirs. Tt was only reasonable the colonies should be informed oE intended appointments before they were absolutely made. London, November J'J. Referring to the subject ot ths Queensland Governorship, tin; Observer says the objections raised by Sir T. Mcllwraith to the appointment of Sir H. A. 111-iUe are frivolous, and that tho Government ot the colony are ashamed to admit its roal objection, which is that the appointment is unpopular with the Irish settlers in the colony. . , Referring to the question of colonial Governorships, the Spectator urces that it would be extremely embarrassing to the foreign policy of Great Britain if the Queen were unable to appoint a single representative. The new principle soughi to be established is inconsistent with constitutional monarchy. Tho Spectator adds it would be decidedly wrong to allow Mr Parnell to dictate as to the disposal of an important division of the Crown's patronage. The Daily News thinks there is considerable weight in Lord Knntsford's argument that the Colonial Government which was able to choose its Governor would possess an unfair advantage over its successors, lhe example, however, in the Clifford-Lloyd case might have warned Lord Knutsford against pitch-forking Irish coercionists into colonial vacancies.