The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1892.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9647, 12 February 1892, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1892.

The approaching departure o£ Lord Onslow has evoked expressions of extreme regret in both Dunedin and Christchurch, and these will doubtless be repeated in the various cities of the Colony through which his Excellency will pass before reaching his final port of embarkation. In this city yesterday Lord and Lady Onslow were greeted with expressions of public esteem which were of the warmest description. About the luncheon and public demonstration there was no meretricious display, or straining after effect. The hall in which the luncheon was held had been decorated by the willing hands of those to whom the work was a labour of love, and the luneheonitself was a sincere expression of kindly fueling. The puhlic demonstration was an ovation which will doubtless long dwell in the memories of the distinguished guests it was intended to honour. Eclat was given to the proceedings by the spontaneous offer of the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry to provide an escort, and the martial strains of the Garrison Band; but the real feature of the function was the vast assemblage that attended to express regret at the departure of the Governor and his family, and to wish them God-speed. The proceedings were enthusiastic, and proved to Lord Onslowthat the people highly appreciate the qualities he has displayed both as a Governor and as a gentleman. But the events of yesterday mean a great deal more than this. They are an evidence that the hearts of the people of New Zealand are loyal to the Throne and Empire. In his address at the luncheon his Excellency drew pointed attention to the fact that recent critics of Australasia have made a great difference between this-Colony and the sister Colonies in Australia. In every case comparisons have been made to the advantage of New Zealand, and, without any special self-gratulation, New Zealand may claim, wo think, to be more closely attached than any of her Australian sisters to the Mother Country. Across _ the Tasmau Sea the cry has been raised, Australia for the Australians,” in the sense of the establishment of a separated Bower. That cry is echoed very much more widely in New South Wales and Victoria than many people think or believe. Here it meets with no response. New Zealand is proud of the Imperial connection. She regards with keen satisfaction her share in that heritage of noble deeds and great sacrifices and material and moral progress which have extended the power of the British Empire over the wide world.

Tho old nursing mother's not hoary yet. There ia sap in her Saxon tree. That is the feeling which animated the people of Canterbury yesterday. They love the Old Land, and they esteem and respect Lord Onslow and his Countess because they have right worthily represented all that is best and noblest in her time-honoured social customs and usages and her governmental institutions. Lord Onslow is always at home when addressing an audience; but his remarks yesterday were especially well chosen. His tribute to the founders of Canterbury was a gracious one. But his broad view of duties and responsibilities caused him to claim a departing Governor’s privilege to touch upon something narrowly approaching practical politics. This he did with consummate skill and tact. His indignant repudiation of the suggestion that any party in the Colony desires to drive away capital was most timely; and his remarks as to the manner in which public opinion regarding the prospects of the Colony is manufactured by persons who are “something less than patriots” conveyed a rebuke which may well be laid to heart by the people for whom it was intended. Indeed, the general tone of his Excellency’s political references was broad and liberal. Clearly bis Home training, and the judicial east of mind he possesses, have enabled him to look beneath the surface of New Zealand politics. He can see that conditions are rapidly changing, and that the Liberal policy which the Colony has embarked upon, under Mr Ballance and his colleagues, is not revolutionary, or intended to interfere with just rights, but ia intended rather to readjust those rights with a view to the general good. As a Governor, committed to the care of Imperial interests, Lord Onslow allowed his vision to take a wider scope thau the horizon of New Zealand affairs. His references to the Colonial Conference in _ 1887 were extremely well made. His discussion of Mr Hoffmeyer’s proposals at that conference were highly instructive, and his suggestion that another conference should, be held at an early date will doubtless have considerable weight with tho Home Government. Lord Onslow will leave his imprint upon the history of New Zealand. The example he has set to his successors, by holding with strict impartiality the balance between parties, mixing freely with the people, identifying himself with the great producing industries of the Colony, and exercising generous hospitality, cannot fail to bear fruit. It must powerfully affect those who follow him in his high office. But the passive influence of bis example will be only one portion of the benefit we may hope to derive from his sojourn in the* Colony. In the ordinary course his Excellency will reach.

the Mother Country, and will again \ take an active part in public affaire. \ His ability, his experience and S his past career all stamp him as a man who is certain to make his mark! in Imperial politics. It is therefore gratifying to know that he and his wife will remember the Colony with feelings of admiration and ■ affection. In the larger sphere opened to him at Home, Lord Onslow will use big, knowledge and his influence to silence the detractors of the Colony, and to direct attention to the splendid field this country presents for the employ* ment of capital, skill and labour: More than this, we trust that the observations Lord Onslow has made in New Zealand will be of benefit to him and through him to the people at Home. It is one of the favourite theories o£ Sir George Grey that one of the missions of these Colonies is to work out social and economic problems for the benefit of the Mother Country. There is something inspiring in the thought,' and doubtless it has occurred to Lord: Onslo w. He has seen here a democratic community, loyal to the Throne and Empire. He has seen a Labour Party arise, strong and yet He has seen that an educated people may be trusted not to use their power vindictively or even rashly. He has seen that, by our system of land settlement, population may be rooted to the soil, and that thus one of the most pressing problems of the Old World may be solved. These are lessons which so shrewd an observer as Lord Onslow will not fail to apply to Home politics; and, as the great historic party with which he has been associated is changing front and beginning to recognise the duty it owes to the masses, we can confidently look forward to his Excellency’s New Zealand experience largely helping to mould a policy in the direction we in New Zealand have already taken.