DOMINION REPRESENTATION AT THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 533, 14 June 1909, Page 8

DOMINION REPRESENTATION AT THE NAVAL CONFERENCE.

Sir,—Amongst the names of gentlemen suggested by your numerous" correspondents 'as being qualified to represent the Dominion at; the forthcoming. Naval Conference, it seems to me passing strange that no ono has suggested that of Mr. T. E. Donne, the newryappomtcd Commissioner of Commoroo in London. Five years ago, Mr. Donne 'was appointed the Dominion's ambassador to the great American Exhibition, and later, as a Government Commissioner to the New Zealand/Exhibition, held-in Christchurch. -For many years, probably no Government official has been given a freer hand in expending' enormous sums of money on his Department as was Mr.' Donne on the Touriet Department, which, by the way, was recently described in The Dominion as having been "a -regular sink for money." As tho Primo Minister's favourite official, and close personal friend, for a quartor of a century, it is noteworthy that Sir Joseph' Ward could not entrust him as tho Dominion's representative to the conference, and thus save the great expense of his visit to England, and also avoid tho delay of conducting the 1 arhamentary business of the country Tho Premier is probably well aware of Mr JJonne s penchant for big game in the genua homo. So long, howevor, as such does not interfere with bis duties ,as Commercial Ambassador to tho British Court of Commerce, good and well. I foar, nevertheless, that it will require some considerable time ior Mr. Donno to rid himself of happy recollections of stage' heads and Maori curios before adapting himself to the study of the 1/nghsh market valno of New' Zealand farm products. A 1'?- 1 '! T ?f y candid j lam of opinion that the Hignt Hon. tho Primo Minister has mado a serious blunder in his appointment. Thero are several gentlemen now, 'on both sides of the House, having had long and practical experience 'of British and colonial commerce, one of which should unquestionably havo been appointed to tho important office. Howover, as Sir Joseph Ward and his new scion of colonial commerce bavo been championing each other for all they are -worth for many years, it is easy/ to comprehend tho object of the appointment, irrespective of ability or possible success. I had fully expected to seo thisi matter brought,np in the Houso, hut that, of course, cannot be for some time to come.—l am, ote., I W. W. SMITH. New Plymouth,' Jnne 10, 1909.