VICE-REGAL OFFICE

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 18

VICE-REGAL OFFICE

LONDON, January 12. Lord Milner, speaking at a farewell lunfeneon to Lord Stradbrooke, Governor-elect of Victoria, stated that he sometimes heard it said that the position of Governor was of less importance than in the old days. He personally did not take that view. He believed that it was generally recognised that a Governor’s position was no wait less important or influential than hitherto. On the contrary, in the great democratic States there was increasing work lor Governors to do outside of executive work and party polities. There had been discussions in late days, he said, on the question of whether the Governor of a State should be sent from England. It had to some extent fallen to him to decide the matter, yet it was a case for the Australians themselves to decide. Any moment they made up their fninds that they desired a change in the Bystem nobody was going to make the slightest effort to force upon them a Governor from Home ; but so long as they desired them it was the British Government’s duty to find the best men avail able. It was not an easy job to satisfy their needs. These great growing communities demanded men of high position, (character, and ability, and the supply of Rich was not unlimited.