We do not intend to go into the details of
the disagreement between Lord Hopetoun and the Parliament and Government of the Australian Commonwealth, but we must express our opinion that the lavish expenditure required, or alleged to he required, from Colonial Governors is very much out of place. We refuse to admit that the Governor of a Colony is really more respected or more able to exercise a sound and healthy influence on the political and social life of the com- munity over which he presides because he indulges in large expenditure. The Governor should be well housed and in a dignified building, and should on great public occasions be surrounded with a seemly, nay stately, ceremonial. But this is not what costs the money and produces disagreeable claims for high salaries, but rather the huge dinners and balls at which hundreds of pounds have to be spent on decorations and cham- pagne. Such extravagant ostentation is never, it is safe to say, relished by the Governors, and is only appreciated by the small section of the community affected. But though we think the Commonwealth is perfectly right to set itself against burdening its Treasury with a high salary for the Governor- General, it must remember also to set itself against the expectation of lavish hospitality from the King's repre- sentative.
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