Round The World.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, 1 July 1904, Page 318

Round The World.

OUR GOVERNORS

Ihe past month has seen the departure of Lord Ranfurly from our shores, and the arrival of Lord Plunket to take his place as King' Edward's representative in these Islands. ]N"o Governor has ever been more popular than the one whose term of office has now expired, and it is not too much to say that no Governor has ever acquired during his residence here in that capacity a more thorough knowledge of his people, their requirements and the resources of the country. There is scarcely a corner into which he did not penetrate, there is certainly not an industry of any consequence with which he did not make himself thoroughly familiar, and it would be hard indeed to mention a good cause which he did not further to the best of his power and ability. No work was too hard for him, no back-blocks road too rough for him to tackle in his determination to acquire a thorough knowledge of the country and its requirements. We did not need Lord Ranfurly' r assurance to that effect, to know that the genuine interest he has taken in New Zealand during his term of office will continue, and that he will let slip no opportunity of furthering our interests after his return home. His efforts in fostering Imperialistic sentiment will never be forgotten, and will undoubtedly bear much fruit in the future. With men of his stamp— men that are loved for

themselves as well as for the manner in which they carry out the high duties imposed on them — to represent royalty in our Colonies, it is small wonder that we swear by a monarchial form of Government. The President of a Republic, he he ever so able, and his administration of the highest order, is never regarded in anything approaching the same light as the man who fitly represents royalty in a British Colony. The President is elected by the people. His particular political qualifications bear as much, if not more, weight than his general administrative abilities. The very contest with other candidates which he so often has to undergo, and the fact that his subjects feel that unless he pleases them in every respect they can elect another in his place, are an effectual bar to the feelings of veneration and esteem in which the Sovereign or his representative is held. The representative of monarchy is above all politics : this parliamentary party may be turned out and the other get in, but all esteem him equally as the supreme head of the national life. The knowledge that he has not absolute power, that he guides rather than rules, is the foundation stone which upholds the Britisher's profound admiration and reverence for the Throne. Our new Governor, Lord Plunket, comes to a colony wherein he has already met with a hearty welcome. He comes with a reputation which

leads us to believe he will prove a worthy successor to Lord Ranfurly. That he has no easy task to follow such a lead will be freely admitted on all sides ; but it will be equally certain that he comes to a loyal people, who will do all in their power to render his term of office amongst them as pleasant a one as his predecessor so often and so heartily assured us his own had been.