VAGABOND IMPRESSIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2657, 12 November 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

VAGABOND IMPRESSIONS.

THE ENGLISHMAN AS A GOVERNOR. By FRANK FOX, the well-known Australian Journalist, in tiro “Daily Mail.” / The- eager, kindly interest, which exAustralian Governor’s in London continue to take in the affairs of the land in which they have represented, the King is a "'■roof of the Englishman’s absorbing interest in public work entrusted to him. (It is also proof of the .good qualities of Australia which can inspire affectionate memories after a lapse of many years. I have been seeing in London several ex-Australian Governors and, relatives of present Governors; and there is always the warmest interest shown in Australia. “How is Lord Dudley getting on? Do Australians like'him? He says Australia is great." That was the greeting of one gentleman on a first introduction in London. Then, for an ex-Governor’s benefit, I had to answer a whole catechism of questions about people and affairs in the State over which lie once ruled. The sister of another ex-Governor was anxious to know how her brother and his work had been regarded. All this showed how keen the Englishman is to do his work well as a Governor. British Governors appointed to the self-goveruing nations of the Empire have a diplomatic, rather than an executive function. The Governor-General of Australia., for example, does not rule in any real sense. The utmost possible extent of his interference with the Parliament is to reserve for the King's consideration a measure, such as a Shipping Bill, which affects imperial as wed as Australian interests. The most serious decision he has ever to make ‘is when a Prime Minister, defeated by the House, asks for a dissolution, sometimes praying to Heaven that he will not get his request. HELMSMAN. The diplomatic work is, however, of great consequence. The Governor-Gen-eral has to keep the British Power well informed as to the trend of Australian sentiment; lie has, by wise caunsel, to keep Australian politicians from blundering into positions which would put British and Austra.ian interests at variance. The mutual good-will between Great Britain and Australia is. without limit, but in spite of that, the opportunities for friction are many. A wise Govenior-Gencral.steers the ship clear of them. He is thus truly the “gubernator,” the helmsman. Lord Northcote, who is hack in England after a term of office as GovernorGeneral of Australia, was, with his wife, notably successful. Not only did he show steady wisdom as Governor, but both he and his wife identified themselves completely with Australian life and industry. Coming back to London now lie speaks glowingly of Australia. But I have heard one heresy from Lord Northcote. He remarked, the other day, in London, that the Australian child “does not know how to play." For a child who does not know how to play the Australian grows to be a curiously good cricketer, footballer, swimmer, boxer, runner, oarsman. Probably Lord Northcote , in spite of his great success with the adults, never got into real touch with the children. ■ Earl Jersey, who, as Governor of New South Wales, entertained the Sydney newsboys once a year at picnic, could have told differently. Even the ex-Australian Governor who has had to put up with some harsh criticism does not seem thereby to lose his love of Australia. Earl Beauchamp, for instance, is always showing a ‘kindly remembrance of the community he governed some ten years ago. But the papers there did not give him an altogether happy time. He had an ambition to reform Government House. Ho set his face against the tradition that it was intended to be a hotel for the rich and “smart" of tlio community, and tried to “democratise” its scope. His reward was a certain amount of unpopularity in some fashionable quarters, where the idea of artists, writers, musicians, school-teachers, and sucli like “being asked to Government House" was bailed with derision. But, on the whole, Earl Beauchamp was a reformer before liis time. Lord Northcote came after the Federation, when the national feeding had swamped out a good deal of the old snobbery' arid the idea of a mere Labor member or a common writing person with his feet on Government House carpets was less tragical. THE SUPERBLY ARROGANT ENGLISHMAN. More really rulers and less distinctive diplomats are the Governors of Crown Colonics and of savage communities, such as Sir William MacGregor and Sir Ralph Williams (both of whom are now, however, promoted to selfgoverning communities). These men, with their quiet,' calm strength, firm without bluster, heroic without tlieatidealism, are. the best proofs of the British race’s capacity for rule. I do not think London really knows how fine they are. Here they seem to fall into the smooth current- of unimportant liio. Note them in their far-away Governments upholding the British power among savage races by sheer courage of soul and sanity of mind, and you recognise their greatness. Something more than a year ago 1 wrote, “The Englishman —the superbly arrogant Englishman — . . - desires none of the accidental and external signs of greatness. It for him suffices if lie has the real power. And he worships the work rather than tlie glory 7 of the work. In ruling the blind heathen., more fussy people fail because they wish ‘to set him right,' to induce the barbarian, to become as they are. The Englishman does not wish to set people right. He is right: that/ suffices. It is not possible for inferior races to be like him : it is better to let them wallow ... . The imperturable Englishman is thus willing to let you have your own' way on all non-essentials. His attitude towards your follies and ideals, alike, is one of tolerant contempt. So long as you are doing satisfactorily 7 the one thing he wants you to, the rest or your life is your own, and you may fill it with caste divisions, religious rows, national aspirations, societies for being very proud of the fact that you are not English, or Ogre-worship. He will not wory. Indeed, he will, if that eoem suitable to his purpose, subsidise your Chief Priest of Ogre-worship." Now, after meeting the governing Englishmen in "his native city 7, I can only confirm toe same judgment, though I wish to say .it more politely. It is tlio curious impersonal tolerance, tlio profound self-complacency of the Englishman, that makes him so great as a Governor. Playing the- governing game lie goes to the wicket without nerves.