TASMANIAN GOVERNORSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19228, 19 July 1924, Page 11

TASMANIAN GOVERNORSHIP.

AMUSING STORIES. Interesting stories are being told about the Governorship of Tasmania. According to one of them (says tho Melbourne Age) tho Labour Government of that State decided not to ask the Home Office to make an appointment This decision was in keeping with the general policy of the party, which holds, very sensibly, that when it is necessary to fill Australian sinecures there is no necessity to import w l lli ceitain exceptions—mcdicroo British politicians. Among the somewhat amusing society folk of Hobart there was a feeling of consternation. The thought of a mere Australian holding the highest social office within tho gift of his own State waa disturbing to them. Steps were taken, it is related, to acquaint the Home Office with the desire of the Tasmanian people tor another importation. Any absurd, pretentious, little set to bo found anywhere always believes, of coarse, that it is tho people, and the solo repository of popular wisdom. The petitioners seem to havo forgotten that there was a British Labour Government in power in England, and that, as with most politicians in all countries, its Ministers would have a tendency to keeping tho good things for its own circle. To the dismay ol ii sociftl dignitaries tho British Government nominated a respected and well-to-do Labour member. Unfortunately, this gentleman died suddenly on tho eve of his appointment. Notv tho British Government has nominated another Labour member Mr James O’Grady—who, a few years ago, was entrusted bv his country with a mission to Russia. Mr o‘Grady has teen a Bristol town councillor, and has therefore, probably, sought to acquire some of tho social "■races that are tho ambition of those who expect to sit in a mayoral chair under a grotesque cocked hat and a rabbitskin shawl. Whether his impressive accoutrements include on of the Windsor uniforms with which British Labour Ministers emblazoned themselves during their first week of giddy eminence is not noted. Doubth’ss should Hobart society, dissembling aversion from his politics, come along gaily in imported bargain lines to address him as “your Excellency,” the ex-Bristol furniture maker will acquit himself with ns mud) credit as might bo claimed by one who has never worked hard enough to mako furniture or anything else.