The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30,1892. THE WEEK.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XIX, Issue 3238, 30 September 1892, Page 2

The Star. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1892. THE WEEK.

The publication of the despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Lord G-laegow anent the appointments to the Legislative Council will have removed the ground for any further pry ings by indefatigable specials and for the production of any further " from the most reliable sources " information to favored organs, or such as invent and palm off the productions as from reliable sources. The facts have been set out by the press throughout the colony, through the kindness of the Governor in allowing the cable despatch to be published. The chief occupation of partisans on either side will now; be to distort the facts. In that case, each writer knows what he is doing, and why, and can readily come back to the words of the despatch when it suits his particular hand. It is somewhat amusing to note the fume into which some writers work themselves. There is choice in plenty, and a selector has wide range in suiting his leanings or predilections. You pay your money and take your choice.

Sib Bobekt Stotjt was about the earliest to Bpeak his mind fully on the subject. An interviewer discovered him at Invercargiil, and Sir Kobert poured forth. This versatile lawyer had the whole show at his finger tips, and could quote the highest legal, constitutional, or historical authority. Thus: Not surprised at decision of Secretary of State. Only surprised at want of knowledge on part of Opposition leaders and Opposition journalists. Just as I pointed out long ago. The appointment of Ministers has passed out of the Monarch's hands and now rests with constituencies. This is constitutional! Governor's powers lessening since the abolition of Crown colonies. Only three items have been left to Q-overnor.'s : pardoning criminals, making appointments to Legislative Council, and granting dissolution. This was the full length of tether under Tory rule. Marquis Eipon's despatch concedes to the colonies the second point, and Legislative appointments must in future be such as responsible Ministers advise. How can the Council be "swamped" by the appointment of three members more than there are vacancies? That is an Opposition conundrum. This bir Robert passes. Beyond his comprehension. Then he went on precedents, showing how on another occasion the present Opposition did what they now so strongly oppose. " I consider the Government deserve every credit for the gain that has been achieved in the self-govern-ment of the colony. The Governor's power has been lessened, and consequently the people's power has been increased." So says Sir Bobert Stout.

The Wellington Press "from wellinformed circles " says it is understood "the despatch from Lord Kipon has had the effect of hardening up the Legislative Council to resist the revolutionary measures of the Government. If this be so, the hand of the Government will be forced. Throughout the whole business Lord Glasgow has shown himself to be a man of capacity and common-sense. He stood out for what he deemed to be the right, until the advice of his superior had been obtained, and when that advice was against him, he gracefully yielded without further ado." The "Wellington Poßt is in a sad way over the despatch. " The Crown, through one of its Principal Secretaries of State, has intimated its intention of renouncing the power it has hitherto claimed and exercised in regard to the appointment of members of the Legislative Council of New Zealand. His Excellency the Governor acted in Btrict accordance with the constitutional and historical precedent in maintaining the rights of the Crown. He would not have been justified in abating them a single iota. Placed in a position of responsibility as the representative of the Crown in the colony and the possessor of delegated powers in this as in other respects from it, he had no option but to exercise those powers so as to conserve them in their fnllest and most complete form." This he tried to do. His efforts have proved unavailing. The colony has been cut adrift by the Crown. In this the Post sees f ponstitutiondl consequences of the most momentous and disastrous character." The status of the G-overnor is reduced to that of a mere figure-head or dummy. "The Prown, in fact, has ostentatiously washed its bands of all concern for the colony or its people in regard to its own affairs." No Crown authorities left to chastise or whip it. This is sad : " Gone, gone are the days of my youth." Then the independence of Parliament is gone. " The change amountß to revolution." So the Post continues its wail. " The Council is now a nonentity, a shadow.'' The Post " looks with dread on the possible and indeed probable results of Lord Eipon's ill-advised decision."

Newspaper correspondents too have been putting their feet into it A A collection of "cor's" made a party to interview the Governor. He would not officially see them. Left his Secretary to prime the " cor's." Then, of course, they flashed the results by telegraph throughout the colony. Sir Uobert Stout, at Invercargiil, could scarcely credit that the Governor had allowed himself to ba interviewed. "If he i had been experienced in his duties he would not have permitted it. If the G-overnor is going to allow himself to be interviewed on political questions, then there will be an end of Ministerial responsibility. . . . I think it better not to discuss Mb views, and I also think it wrong for an interviower £o have approached him on the subject.'' Moet peopje willbe inclined to agree with Sir Robert that it waa wrong for an interviewer to have approached the Governor, but we think it a greater wrong after the Governor had gone such lengths

to gratify their insatiable curiosity that they should have turned round

on him in the way shown by letter which appeared in last night's telegrams. They should have peen content to rest a little under a cloud, give the Governor the benefit of the denial which by the strict mterpretion of his action he had a right to | give ; and thus have saved him from the more particular explanation which he has since been almost forced to give. This announcement in the New Zealand Times is what led to the hubbub : "We are requested by the Assistant Private Secretary of the Governor to state that since his arrival in the Colony His Excellency has never accorded an interview to any newspaper correspondent whatever." It waß bad enough for Mr. Holleston, as leader of the Opposition, to try to extort details in the way of confession from the Governor. The actioD of the special reporters is worse. It Bavours of ingratitude. The Governor fills the week, and we fear will, from a too ready willingness to make amends for a previous error of judgment, be made to feel uncomfortable for some time to come. He is getting colonial experience roughly.