GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14359, 2 May 1910, Page 4

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

The sale of part of the furniture of Government House and ; the removal of the remainder to Wellington have provoked an outburst of indignation at what is properly regarded as an underhand attempt on the part of the Government to deprive Auckland of the distinction,, which , it- has enjoyed since the foundation of the colony of possessing a:" viceregals residence. There is no power vested in - the Government which enables them to do this without legislative enactment. - Auckland Government House cannot be i abolished without the direct sanction of Parliament. But without waiting for that sanction, the Government in a secret and surreptitious manner- have begun preparations for its abolition by dismantling the residence, -in order, presumably, , that they may more readily and easily obtain the authority - of Parliament to doing away with it (altogether. Quite apart from the main question : itself— whether ; the Dominion should - continue to maintain an establishment in) Auckland for the use of the Governor when he comes here—the action of the Government is reprehensible in the extreme. It is entirely unworthy of Ministers of the Crown; whose official acts, as the public have a right to demand, should be straightforward and above-board.- This question :of Government House .) is one (that concerns (the people of Auckland,'; and it is for ■ them to say how, it shall ■> be decided. Instead of taking the people into their ; confidence the -Government have deliberately kept them in the dark. «It is time (that Ministers were taught that conduct of this kind is . not to be' tolerated, ; and : that Auckland is determiried to submit no longer to such treatment. It has - a right to know what are the intentions of the Government regarding Government House and grounds, and to '< say. whether or not it approves of their intentions., It has.a right to know, before they are devoted to other (purposes, f what provision -the Government are making for the -adequate accommodation of the Governor whenever His Excellency visits I Auckland. The proposal . that the I grounds should be handed over to the University College Council is, no ; doubt, one that; has much to com- ' mend it to ; popular sympathy in; a democratic ; community. But we have had '■ no ; clear and candid 'statement .' from the Government even on this) proposal. The public meeting that) the 'Mayor has (intimated ) his intention lof calling will probably have the) effect) of forcing* the hands of the Government, and eliciting from the Prime Minister a full and frank declaration of Ministers' intentions. The Auckland . public will then-be in a better position to judge the whole matter, and to discuss it in all its bearings. Meanwhile we would; point out .that the available land forming Government House grounds is (sufficient- to meet (the growing requirements of University education, while still retaining the vice-regal residence and its sylvan environment for* the use of the Governor.. -- ;-. : ' )'-: ,; : :--. : -.-:-.-;-' ----:-';;;';.' .;:;-'<. .:"■;■'.;';