OUR NEW GOVERNOR.

Evening Star, Issue 3078, 31 December 1872, Page 2

OUR NEW GOVERNOR.

The latest of Sir James Fergusson’s speeches at Adelaide is at least remarkable for its candour, both with regard to himself and the characteristics of Colonies and colonists. Sensible, apparently, of. the “distance” which had grown between himself and the colonists with whom he was associated, he rather epigrammatically explained the difference between his demeanor and bis sympathies, by stating that “in the office which he had the honor to hold, a man may be proud and tenacious, and yet be personally humble.” die seemed to draw a wide distinction between what he should be as a man, and what he should be as a Governor, and his conception of gubernatorial duties, or the manner of discharging them, is certainly a dignitied one, though its dignity may approach to “stiffness.” “I cannot,” he said, c separate ipysolf, and I never bgye though of separating myself, from the office of Governor, in the sense of separate individuality7’. ') he idea which I have formed of the office of Governor is not that he should try 1 1 conform himself to the current fashion of colonial politics or ideas. He has much to learn in the Colonies—and I hope I have not lived in this Colony for four years without learning a good deal. Hy idea is, that he should bring out, maintain, and preserve, as far as possible, the Imperial model, and should be actuated by what he learned from the good ©ld stock, and not try to model himself ou what, after all, was only an imitation. The Governor comes hero to represent the old country—not to cram the old country down the colonists’ throats ; but not to forget to adapt what he has learned elsewhere to the new society into which he has come.” But interest, to our point of view, attaches more to our new Governor’s expressions regarding our Colony, and the “defects” which he duds in our Colonies generally, for he is no mealymouthed man, and even in this parting speech, he made more reference to what he considered to be defects than he made—what he himself considered an obnoxious platitude —“ favorable comparisons.” Of his new domain and appointment he said :—“ I have been called away prematurely, before the expiration of my natural lifoamougyou, and by the kiudnesa of oue whom I cannot omit to mention ou this occasion. I received from the Secretary of State, at a very painful period of life, great consideration, and 1 do not think th t a greater honor could be done to anyone, than that a somewhat young governor of another party should be offered a government which can be second to few in importance, before the expiration of his first terra of office. I trust —I earnestly trust, gentlemen—that the kindness you are showing me this evening—the generous consideration which is being displayed, and has been displayed, towards me by the people of this Colony, will enable me to come among those whom I am soon to know with such great advantages as may save me much trouble, and may entitle me to a very early instalment of their confidence.” He made a further reference to New Zealand when fie spoke of an absence of speculation and commercial life in South Australia, He would sooner, he said, see a good deal of money change hands by speculation, than’ see it looked up in the savings’ bank; be thought there bad been rather less of jointstock speculation than was desirable ; and he regretted that there should be so little purpose in the public works which are necessary for the devel pment of a Colony. As an example of the opposite he quoted New Zealand, and although there may be opposite opiiaions upou the point, this opinion of a Governor of another Colony, who takes a lively interest in public affairs, is at least worthy of some consideration. “New Zealand, which is a younger Colony than this, ■would. (lie said) see tbe mouey wKicH the Colony proposes deliberately to expend m public works being laid out on a settled system. The requirements of the Colony are studied, and the money is apportioned according to the wants of the

several districts. They cannot expect to satisfy all, and some districts will complain that they do not get their fair share. But the public works of the f olony are undertaken in regular order, and on a plan which has been deliberately laid down as the best suited to develop ihe progressive resources of the t oiuny. Among somewhat prevalent Colonial defects, Sir James referred to some of our peculiar phraseology, not on its own account, but as representing, in tome instances, a disposition to exaggerate matters, and in othe-fi to contemn our public institutions and our public men—meaning, no doubt, those men who are approximately worthy of the name. Wo shall conclude these references to our new Governor by quoting his remarks on this last subject ; and we have little doubt that those who read them will find reason to congratulate themselves that, whatever his defects may be, we arc to have a Governor who speaks his mind so plainly as Sir James I 1 ergusson eloes in these few sentences : We change Ministries and call into play phrases which are applicable to the removal of nieu who <u*e impeached for high Crimea and misdemeanours. How often is a poor Minister, who is forced into power by the legitimate position of eminence in his party, and who becomes an object of great hatred ever aftci he attains the position—(laughter)—-how often do we hear of his being kicked out of office? Kicked out of office!—a man whom we meet around the board, whom wc shake hands with in the street, and whom wc know to be one of the best citizens, just because be has raised himself by his owu merits and the confidence of his fellow-countrymen to a place of legitimate ambition. (Cheers.) Depend upon it, if wc do not respect ourselves and our institutions they will fail in their usefulness, and we shall suffer ourselves. Our public men are our representatives—doubly our representatives. We send them to Parliament, and the confidence of Parliament places them in office. I do believe if we respected them more if wc thought their position was one that entitled them to respect, ami as long as they remained in office entitled them to generous consideration, they ivould be nerved to greater elicits and greater usefulness in the public service, i'bon there is another phrase that has been often used during my tenure of office, and which I wish buried in oblivion. When a man Ins been doubly representative and has had the confidence of a representative of the Sovereign, on the recommendation of that representative he frequently receives an honorable title for life. I feel sure that men would marvel at home to knpw that it was thought a matter of ridicule that an old and valued Minister should receive a title and uniform for life. The best men iu the Britftdi House of Commons wear the uniform with pride. (Cheers.) Gibes and sneers may fill an empty paragraph or point a joke, but they do more harm when they bring into contempt that which we ought to respect. Kespect is akin to reverence ; and, depend upon it, those who will not pay honor to whom honor is duo, are very apt to fail in reverence where something more than honor is due. I think that prints which throw contempt upqn the natural result of legitimate ambition ought to bo unsaleable, and public men who lend their eloquence in the same direction ought to be discredited.”