Malborough Express, Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1888. THE GOVERNOR GRIEVANCE.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXIV, Issue 255, 16 November 1888, Page 2

Malborough Express, Published Every Evening. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1888. THE GOVERNOR GRIEVANCE.

•» The difference that has arisen between the Colony of Queensland and the Colonial Department of the Imperial Government, is observed with keen interest by all colonial communities. We shall, see how long, land with what issue, the Colony will protest and the Colonial Office persist. The Office proposes to. appoint a parvenu, Sir H. A. Blake, to be Governor of the Colony of Queensland ; the Colony of Queensland protests against the appointment. The protest has been made m vigorous terms by the Prime Minister of Queensland, Sir Thomas Mollwraith. The grounds of the, objection are not categorically stated, but it appears probable that the new nominee's career m Ireland, and liis mushroom social growth, render him an object of considerable aversion to the colonists. Be this as it may, the Queenslanders have taken it into their heads that they won't have him put over tiiem. Now we shall see whether the Colonial Office still wears that faded garb of tradition, and diadem of stupidity .which she used to wear, m the days of Bunker's Hill. It is to be hoped riot, for if i)own-ing-sti'set persists m making the appointment, and Sir H. Blake is fool enough or thick-skinned enough to accept the office, there will be an open rupture between the Colony and the Imperial Government, and colonial sympathy will be all enlisted on the side of Queensland. Besides, it is really monstrous that a constitutional colony should have thrust upon it a distasteful individual. Distasteful individuals arise of themselves often enough, and have to be put up with ; but there is no need for a free colony to put up with distasteful individuals who are forced upon it from without. We heartily approve the ■ maufultoneof the Queenslanders, and it. is to be hoped Lord Knutsf orA will exhibit common ' sense as well as dignity. IJis motto just now appears to bo fiat colonial office, mat cmlum: All our readers are not, perhaps, aware of the immense present I importance and prospective greatness of Queensland. It is destined to be, ws be- 1 lie\e the richest.of the Australias, Just now,' ill the dazzling light of Victoria, the other colonies "pale their ineffectual fires," but the fertility of soil, "the mineral resources," the extraordinary fruitfulness of all growth, that characterise Queensland m& are well known lo her own people, will ssojne day astonish the world. The- people #r<* lull of patriotism, ' spirit, and enterprise., aii4 they will not j brook unreasonable diciaiica, however j loyally they may submit to constiij^itfn&l law. The (jovemor question is dnijy iiccorair.i; a more important factor m the relation between England and the colonies. So ilepwatic live colonial institutions,

aid so smoothly do they work, that politically there is next to nothing for a Grovernor to do. It is as a representative jf the Imperial Government, of the majesty on , whose dominions the sun aever sets, and under whose banner we ire, that the Governor is primarily needed. Ec is the moderator and superior. But the Governor's ohief value iB m his capauity of social head of the community, [n the colonies, where heterogeneous element, are gradually settling down after the season of disturbance incidental to their early history, a regulating head is wantedj not an obtrusive meddling one, but a gentleman of unquestioned standing, whose example may win and educate, and whose house may be a centre of refine-, menti purity, and culture, — radiating light throughout the community. 'Your colonist, if he is an upstart himself, cannot tolerate an upstart above him. Nowhere is greater diference paid to worth and genius- than m democratic communities ; nowhere is individual superiority more readily admitted. But pretentiousness, and especially social ambitiousness, are absolutely intolerable to the average colonist. His governor must be a gentleman, jmr sang. He must have been "born m the purple^" It seems SirH. Blake has been something of a " favorite of fortune," and that is by no means a passport to colonial favor. And, after all, Sir ,H. Blake would be placed at a cruel disadvantage, if he were sent ! out here to hold his head up among persons of such distinction and popularity as Sir Henry Loch, Sir William Jervois and Lord - Carrington. He who would shine m such a galaxy of gubernatorial stars, must not have a mere nebulous lustre; and if Sir H. Blake is a wise man, he will accept some other post m which popular favor is not essential.