LORD ISLINGTON AND INDIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15056, 27 July 1912, Page 6

LORD ISLINGTON AND INDIA.

The Imperial 1 demand for Lord Islington's services in the wider field of an inquiry* into the Indian Public Services necessitates his retirement from the Governorship of this Dominion,' The announcement will give rise to both approval and regret. During his residence among us His Excellency has more than justified the high hopes that preceded his coming—based as they were upon his well-earned reputation in English public life. He has displayed such an intelligent appreciation of the peculiar needs of the community and such sterling commonsense in advising the steps calculated to foster both our primary industries and our national wellbeing that he has easily acquired the trust and confidence of our citizens. To some very excellent representatives of Imperial authority the duty of holding an impartial and unpretentious course amid the intricacies and jealousies of colonial politics appears to present considerable difficulty Lord Islington has been with us during the most unsettled period known to the modern political history of New Zealand and has held I himself serenely above criticism in I the loyal discharge of his functions jas constitutional Governor- Fortunately for the Empire, such qualities as he possesses to a marked degree— of steadiness, of -careful consideration,' ,of shrewd insight and of unfaltering integrity—are not infrequently recognised. The proposed Royal Commission to inquire into the Indian Public Services affects so many interests and involves such ; arduous investigation that the Imperial Government naturally seeks to have as its president one upon whose competency it can rely. Much as New Zealanders must regret the loss of an able Governor they have the great satisfaction of knowing that the Empire will benefit by his change of sphere. . It is safe to prophesy that if Lord Islington has con-* tinued health and strength he will take a leading part in the future political life of the United Kingdom and of the Empire and it may well be hoped that he will always retain a kindly feeling for this remote Dominion, and will be able to do better work at Home through the experience he must have gained among us. In fact, Lord Islington's life seems to be devoted to the gathering of Imperial experience. The Empire needs statesmen to whom Greater Britain is an open book, and it cannot be doubted that in future years the high councils of. the Empire will be the wiser for his reading.