THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1934 VICE-REGAL APPOINTMENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21921, 3 October 1934, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1934 VICE-REGAL APPOINTMENTS

The appointment of Viscount Galway as New Zealand's next Govern or-General is in an order of events pertaining to its status as a British Dominion. It betokens both the Imperial unity that persists as a potent fact in modern history and the self-governing privilege that is enjoyed within the unity; it speaks of a bond and a freedom equally vital in the relationship. The British Empire has a constitution without precedent. In the elastic word "nation," used to connote the whole fabric of the far-spreading realm and each q>f the constituent parts endowed with conscious liberty of action, is evidence of an unexampled anomaly. This had decisive acknowledgment when the League of Nations was formed, the several Dominions being given separate voice and vote among the peoples composing it. On occasion there have been protests by the representatives of foreign peoples, but the reasons that led to the arrangement remain decisive ; any reduction in Dominion ranking to that of an included and subject fraction is seen to be impracticable, made so by organic developments within the Empire. Enunciations of principle by Imperial Conferences have since added to the avowal of the unity and the liberty, emphasising the importance of the Crown as a real link of law and loyalty, and at the same time announcing the equality of status enjoyed by each autonomous community under the Crown. In strict keeping with this practical doctrine. Governors-General were declared to hold in all essential respects the same position in relation to the administration of public affairs in the Dominions as is held by His Majesty in Great Britain: further., since they are not representatives or agents of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain or of any'departm ent of that Government, they are no longer channels of official communication between that Government and Dominion Governments, and their appointment concerns His Majesty and the respective Dominion Governments, without any right of intervention by the Government of Great Britain. These explicit statements connect Crown and Dominion directly by the Governor-General; by virtue of them the new understaridine makes vice-royalty an immediate Imperial link and a sign and seal of autonomy. In accordance with this express principle, the announcement made of Lord Galway's appointment is to be received as indicative of something other and greater than was embodied in the selections made when the Governor-General was recommended and virtually appointed by the British Government, was responsible! to it. and was the channel of communication between it and the Government of the Dominion to which he was appointed. However, this elevation of gubernatorial dignity is of less intimate interest to the people of this country than the fact that, in due time, New Zealand's present Governor-General is to give place to another. Constitutional facts naturally appeal to them less than the personality of the viceregal representative, by whatever procedure he comes to the office and of whatever prerogative he is possessed. In this respect, Lord Bledisloe has • eminently fulfilled every high expectation of him, and with his record of splendid service that of Lady Bledisloe is as gratefully associated. All offices, no matter how established and buttressed by law, are very largely what their occupants make them. Their Excellencies have graced their positions in a way not likely to be forgotten. With the acceptable performance of duty—more onerous than casual thought may have deemed it to be—has been a constant care of all human interests vital to the welfare of the people of this country. It has been remarked that Lord Bledisloe, in his frequent public utterances, has with surprising case and great ability taken the New Zealand point of view. He has never forgotten his responsibility to the Empire as a whole ; the note of Imperial loyalty has ever been consistently struck: but in other things, as in this, he has proved himself a New Zealander of New Zealanders. At this first official intimation of the approaching end of his term —an end that both races in the Dominion have

been eager to see postponed—expression of appreciation of this helpfully intimate touch is to be sincerely made. Nothing of value to this Dominion has been alien to him. Thus Their Excellencies will leave a place difficult to fill. It is reassuring, in these circumstances, to know that Lord Galway will bring to the office certain qualities of character and aptitude entitling him to a cordial welcome for his own worth ais well as for his position. A soldier by profession, and giving proof of a zealous devotion to that service, he has also evidenced a breadth of interest in national affairs. General politics and local government have attracted him. The present National Government in the Homeland has had his ardent support, and as vice-chairman of the Nottinghamshire County Council he has been an able and hard worker. A love of the open in sport and recreation is to be reckoned among qualifications for appointment to a country such as this. That he has, like Lord Bledisloe, an enthusiasm for agriculture will make him an appropriate successor. His career as a whole indicates a gift for manysided activities. Perhaps Lord Bledisloe's remarkable versatility has encouraged New Zealanders to expect overmuch from His Majesty's representative, but Lord Galway, in his way, may render service as notable" One thing is very sure—he will be greeted with the utmost cordiality as that representative and find the whole people of this Dominion eager to prove their loyalty to the Throne.