AUSTRALIAN GOVERNORS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19124, 16 September 1925, Page 15

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNORS.

MEMORIAL FROM STATES.

REASONS FOR DESIRED CHANGE

The New South Waies Premier (Mr. Lang) tabled in the Legislative Assembly last week tho details of the memorial to be despatched to the Secretary of State for the Dominions urging the appointment of citizen? of the Commonwealth to the positions of State Governor. lhe memorial has already been signed by the Premiers of New South Wales and Queensland, and is now awaiting the signatures of the Premiers of South Australia. Western Australia, and Tasmania. The memorial, which is on behalf of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and ■tasmania, points out that several of the Governments of the Australian States had from time to time approached the British Government with the object of securing the appointment of citizens of the Commonwealth to State Governorships, and that resolutions to the same effect had been passed by other responsible public bodies in Australia. With one exception. tho Governments of the Australian States regarded the present time as opportune for the change. The petition was to the effect that on the expiration of the term of office of each of the present State Governors, Australian citizeps might be appointed as their successors. The memorial also added that it could _ not be too strongly emphasised that their stand in this matter was entirely consistent with the feelincr of the greatest loyalty-to His Majesty's throne and person, and with a desire to strengthen to the utmost extent within their power the bonds of Em ; pire unity. ... The extension of tho scope of public service to include the representation of His Majesty the King in the office of Governor of a State would be regarded by the citizens with gratification and pride. It could not be questioned that in Australia"Yhe King was fully represented Imperially by tho appointment of the Governor-General. r There were men eminent in public and civic life who had given proof of their great ability and aaministrative~ skill on many occasions during the absence of the Governor, and had discharged the vice-regal duties with conspicuous success. It was submitted that they had the first claim on what was regardei at a purely State dignity. It might be contended that as local Governors would be nominated by the Government of the day, such appointees probably won'a be identified to some extent with party politics. While this was true, it must be remembered that at times every State in the Commonwealth had had men, as appointed, acting as lieutenantgovernor or deputy governors with eminent success, and that their impartiality had never bee questioned. Moreover, at the present time the men appointed were the nominees of the party in power for the time being in the Imperial Parliament.