FOR THE PEOPLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 135, 8 June 1911, Page 5

FOR THE PEOPLE.

fr SYDNEY GOVERNMENT HOUSE TAKEN OVER BY THE STATE. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 0.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, this day. A heated debate arose in the House of Assembly last night on a motion for adjournment, moved by Mr. Wade, to discuss the Government proposal to dispossess the Governor-General of Government House. Mr. Wade contended that a definite arrangement existed that when the Federal Parliament was not sitting the Gov-ernor-General should reside in Sydney. Only the strongest reasons could justify breaking this arrangement, and if New South Wales did so the Commonwealth was under no obligation to make fresh provision for his Excellency. It meant to all intents and purposes shutting the Governor-General out of the State in his official capacity, and was playing into the bands of those determined to keep the seat of Government in Melbourne. The step was not only a breach of faith with the Commonwealth, but with the Imperial authorities. Other members strongly supported the I contentions. I Mr. Holman. in reply, said the running i of Government House cost the State £7500 annually, while the Governor- . General resided there only a short ! time each year. ' He disclaimed the re- ! spnnsibility of tbe State Government providing a* residence for the GovernorGeneral, and declared that it was the j Commonwealth's duty. The time had arrived when State assets should be used for State purposes. The. State Government had made up its mind in the matter, and had no intention of going back on it. I The motion for the adjournment was ' | negatived. 1 Mr. W. M. Hughes (Acting-Federal 1 ! Premier), in an interview, declared that I unless it was possible to house the Gov- ! I crnor-General suitably in Sydney he could ' i not go there. The agreement between the Federal and : ' the Stafe Governments, under which the 3 ' former has the use of Sydney Government j House for tbe purposes of the Governor- ' General, will expire Ln August next. The > i House was built in 1811, and is an imposing structure in the Elizabethan style. With the advent of federation the buildincr was set apart for the use of the Governor-General of the Commonwealth, the State Governor's residence being transferred to Cranbrook, Rose Bay. ! Situated on the elevation between Sydney t Cove and Farm Cove, adjoining the Boe tanic Gardens., the building, which is now to revert to the State, commands a splendid view, embracing the greater portion of the harbour; and its high-lying grounds ! should prove an inestimable asset as a ! place of public resort at the very door of the city. The Government proposes to transfer to it all the books that now eongest'the Public Library. When the newnational libvarv is completed, some years hence the books will find in it a perman nent home; and Government House will c then be free to be utilised as a nationa, museum of arts. The opening of Govern- ! ment House grounds to the public would ! provide some compensation for the en-!-roachment on the Domain proposed bs 'the Acting-Chief Secretary in order tr 1 allow the Sydney Hospital to be extended !in that direction.