The Queensland Question.

Thames Star, Volume XX, Issue 6131, 29 November 1888, Page 2

The Queensland Question.

Queensland seems determined not to play a secondary part in Australian national progress. She can now, and does, speak with the assurance of being beard, and to some purpose. Sir Thomas M'llwraith, during the short time which has elapsed since his return to office at the head of the national party io Queensland, has had Borne curious experiences. His memorable conflict with the late Sir Anthony Musgrave, in what has been described as the " battle of the boots," did much to establish on a sounder basis the relation between the responsible Ministers of the day and the Governor for the time being. In that trial of strength Sir Thomas Mcllwraith took up his proper position as head of tbo Executive of a self governing colony, and clearly'showed that in that capacity, apart from, and irrespective of, Imperial claims, there could be no superior, or even divided authority. His action may be said to have determined, though it is not »o admitted, when and how the prerogative of mercy shall be extended—in effect, that such exercise rests with the Executive, and not with the Governor alone. That was another and important step toward tbe attainment of the unconditional conj trol of internal affairs by the local Government.

But tbe important step then taken and successfully retained has been followed by another, and perhaps one fraught with even greater consequences. After the death of Sir Anthony Musgrave, Sir Thomas Mcllwraith asked through the Agent-General that the Executive Government might be promptly informed of the new appointment to be made. To this very reasonable request Lord Knutsford returned a point blank refusal, and acccompanied it with a snubbing lecture. At tbe same time it transpired that Sir Henry Arthur Blake, then an in* gpector of police, and subsequently a police magistrate in Ireland, bad been appointed to the important position. The Queensland Premier is not the kind of man to receive with grace a slap in the face, official or otherwise. He at once resented the insult; and he made his position doubly Eure by obtaining the Opposition leader's consent to his course of action. The result of the united counsels was a vigorous protest against tbe appointment of the whilom inspector of police. Though scrupulously polite, there is no difficulty in reading between the lines of his brief dispatch. It means that if Sir H. A. Blake is sent out as Governor, the Imperial authorities will have to pay his salary; for Queensland won't. It is even on the cards that the unwelcome Governor may be shipped back again to the place where he came from. It is improbable, however, that the trouble will reach such an accentuated stage. Lord Knntsford has committed a grave mistake ; and the press of Great Britain has not been slow to point it out to him. Queensland is right.in the reasonable course she is pursuing ; and the Secretary for the Colonies is wrong. An unobjectionable appointment will be made ; and thus another step towards the coming indepandence of Australia has been successfully accomplished.—Town and Country Journal.