THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1054, 18 February 1911, Page 4

THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP.

■ The comments of Dh. Levinoe on tho Sigh Commissioner's office pub-lished-ft few dayß ago warrant a little attention. • Dit. Levinoe, who has just returned from a visit to England, stated to an interviewer that tho High Commissioner's officc wag in no . respect a/centre of New Zealand -.'life and interests; in. London. The impression- ho got was that tho Dominion-was; being left behind in tho raco for public favour by the more pushing and energetic representatives of other parts of the Empire. Ho appears, like others, to havo been particularly struck with, tho .enterprise, of Canada in placing attractions it holds out to farmers and capitalists before the people' of' England; while Sin George lleid and the AgentsGeneral of tho different Australian States were also extremely active in forwarding the interests, of the Commonwealth. Even at this distance it has been apparent to most people for a considerable time that New Zealand'is lagging behind its sister dominions in tho competition for thoso things which mean so much to tho development and progress of ,~a voung country. To quote Dn. Levinoe: "The Now Zealand office was completely away from the busy life of the city. The Dominion was not, advertised cither as energetically or as well as it might be. People calling at tho oflico found little "return for their trouble. Thero was a distinct lack of tho push and cn-. terprisc which was characteristic of some of the other colonial offices." This, wc bolievc,>sums up the position very woll. ' Who, then, ir responsible J .Wo know that~the High

Commissioner's staff was supposed to be considerably strengthened some little time ago when certain ofliccrs wont home from New Zealand for the purpose, of stimulating matters in London. Have their cffortß proved unsuccessful or have their hands been tied?

Siii William Hall-Joxf.s, when appointed to the office of High' Commissioner, was known to have been in anything but robust health, and although lie has the reputation of boing a very hard-working and painstaking administrator, it is (]uitc_ possible that ho has been handicapped by ill-health to a greater extent than we have been told. Roports which from' time to time have reached us seem to indicate something of tho kind, and it has even been suggested that he would have been glad to relinquish the office and retire from active work. 'Bo that as it may, it is very clear that there is room for a good deal of improvement in the office in London, and the Government, will shortly bo in a position to provide it. The term of appointment of Sir William Hall-Jones expires in Juno next, and it will bo necessary to appoint a successor very shortly. It is impossible to believe that the Government has not given the matter consideration, and there can be no good reason why the public should bo kept in ignorance of who is to be appointed. Tho suggestion has been made that, Sir Joseph Ward'himself has had an oye on the position, and Mr. T. Mackenzie's and Dr. Findlay's names have also been montioncd. Mr. Mackenzie is reported to bo po very anxious about sccuring a safe scat in the North Island, in view of the possible extinction of the electorate ho now represents, that it would seem that he is out of tho running for the High Commissionership. DE. Findlay, no doubt, would like to vio with Sir George Reid as an after-dinner speaker and phrase-maker, and in certain circumstances the position might, appeal,to.him, but his real ambitions probably lie nearer home. It. might please, him better ,if > his political chief could be. induced to tako tho High Commissionership. Sir Joseph Ward, however, would 1m unlikely to nominate himself under _existing conditions. Should tho Imperial Conference decide in favour of .the creation of an Imperial Council, thb position would probably bo made more attractive to him. However, what wo would like to know, and what the country is entitled to,know; is what the Government have done or- intend to do about the appointment of a successor to Sir William Hall-Jones.