LORD LORNE AS GOVERNOR OF CANADA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5420, 10 August 1878, Page 2 (Supplement)

LORD LORNE AS GOVERNOR OF CANADA.

The appointment of the Marquis of Lome to the Governor-Generalship of Canada introduces (says an exchange) probably a new era in colonial relations with tho mother country. Hitherto, as a rule, these important positions have been given as a reward of political services of .a-rather ■'obsequious kind, or in order to enable decayed brandies of the aristocracy to be vivified by financial sap supplied by the pioneers of , colonisation. As a result there has been a growing tendency with the more advanced of colonials to regard the incumbents of such offices in rather a contemptuous fashion, and the known cheese-parings to which some of these high officials have been accustomed to resort, in order to carry off as much plunder ns possible, has not tended to allay the feeling. Anglo-Saxons, as a rule, have no particular objections to nobility of birth, provided it is ‘not mirred by ignobility of character or 1 action, however democratic the community or its institutions may bo. But for tho shoddy article, 01 the article that comes to wear out its old clothes, and the ill consequences of riotous living, the colonial form of Anglo-Saxouism has a great and growing distaste. Tho advent to Colonial Administration of a scion of the noble House of Argyle, and with him as a consort a princess of the blood, is a new-departure ; and though the great Dominion of. Canada is hardly on a level with ordinary colonies, it may be that this is the inauguration of a new state of things, that will tend to remove the prevalent feeling “that anything is good enough for the colonies.” But why may there not be an advance even on this, in the Princes of tho Royal family themselves assuming tho position of representatives of our Gracious Queen in the Government of her great and growing dependencies. Providence has been •pleased to bless the Royal House with gratifying and extraordinary prolificness—a blessing promising to descend apparently to the third and fourth generation. Why not utilise the numerous members; of the Royal family in cementing the bonds of loyalty by showing to . distant colonies that they are not regarded- as too remote to be the homes, though temporary, of her Majesty’s children, who themselves would be all the better fitted to grace their high station by a little of the rough-and-tumble of colonial life, and by getting an insight in*o the arcana of government and the grow th of popular institutions. If anything is sought to stay the progress of a desire in the colonies for elective Governors, and for virtually severing the connection with the Empire, it may be found in giving to ns Governors from the Queen’s 'own family, who, in addition to their official .and representative character, would bring the far more potent influence of the best beloved Queen that ever 'sat on royal throne, instead of palming off on the colonies penniless lords and worn-out political “ whips."