The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3064, 5 March 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1892.

- ♦ There is a misunderstanding somewhere in reference to the appointment of Governors. It will be re niembered that it was given forth in the colony that Lord Knutsford had promised to submit the name of the gentleman it was contemplated to appoint previous to a decision being arrived at. We ex pressed our disbelief in the statement at the time and pointed out that had Lord Knutsford done anything of the kind he had departed from the usual and constitutional course and that a mistake of the kind was most unlikely to be committed byhim. Lord Onslow has been interviewed in Sydney and has confirmed our opinion. He appears to have stated distincly that no 3uch promise was made and to have added that one or two names were submitted to him for his " private " opinion. Mr Ballance has stated that he cabled to the Agent-General to ask that the names in the list should be submitted to the Ministry before the appointment was made, and that a promise to that effect was given. The appointment was made without reference to the Ministry and the firat intimation of the appointment of Lord Glasgow reached New Zealand by means of a press cable. We believe thac no such promise was made and that the Agent-General misunderstood the answer given to him, which appears to have been a verbal one. Mr Ballance under the impression that the Ministry have been treated discourteously is inclined to enter a protest. This of course will assume the form of a formal despatch, if he has not forwarded this despatch we trust that he will refrain from doing so as the result could only be a lecture couched in severe official sentences. The Colonial Secretary no doubt will express his surprise that any gentleman should have reached the position which M r Ballance holds without previously becoming acquainted with the customs which very properly prevail in this regard. This will lower the dignity of the colony and wound the feelings of colonists. Mr Ballance has made a mistake and had better let the matter rest. We should i.ot again have returned to this subject were it not necessary under the circumstances to enter one more protest against the presumptuous conduct of the Premier. The first Governor appointed, subject to the approval of the Ministry would be placed in a false position. In addition there would be a possibility if the precedent were established that gentlemen who aspire to the position would approach Ministers and become pledged to a certain course of action before receiving the appointment or understanding the position of affairs in the colony. It is true that the men who are appointed by tho Imperial authorities are not likely to stoop to any such meanness, but there are black sheep in every flock, and their true colour is often not perceptible till some misdoed clears the eyesight of those who are in a degree responsible for their actions.

[In our cable news it will be seen that as we surmised the misunderstanding has originated with the Agent-General.]