HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1501, 25 July 1912, Page 6

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS'UNION. A SUGGESTION TO MR. MASSEY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Christchurch, July 24. At tho meeting to-day of tho executivo of tho North Canterbury Fanners* Union, the chairman (Mr. George Sheat) read the following letter from Mr. T. E. L. Roberts, a member of tho executive, who was unable to bo present at the mceting-'-^-"Seeing that Mr. Massey has succcedcd in forming a Cabinet of working strength, I think it would bo in the very best interests of New Zealand producers if wo could secure tho services of Mr. T. Mackenzie as High Commissioner. There can 1» little doubt that he is the best man from a farmers' point of view to fill tho post, as ho has tho intricacies of tho frozen meat trade at his finger ends. It would be a diplomatic triumph on Mr. Massor's part to appoint his fallen foo to the highest post at his command, and I would like if you would move in the matter at once. It is quito likely that Mr. Massey will ri.se to tho occasion without any prompting, but it would bo a pitv if we lost our chance for the want of a little pressure. You would be quito safe to act on the already-expressed feeling of the executive so that no time might be lost." The chairman moved. 'That, in tho opinion (f this executive the services of Mr. Thomas Mackenzie should be secured as-High Commissioner in London beeauso of his special knowledge of the requirements of tho Dominion." Ho said that a better man for the position could not be selected than Mr. Thomas Mackenzie, and if tho executivo would not bo outstepping the bounds of • prudenee_ he thought that an expression of its opinion would be in tho right direction Personally, he thought that Mr. Mackenzie, in taking tho Premiership, had been foolish, because it was a position impossible for him to hold, and because he had been made a cntspaw of. Mr. R. Evans: Is this a political address ?

Tho chairman: No. I am endeavouring not to trench on politics. As you know, I am a member ot the Opposition party. Mr. Wilfred Hall: What Opposition? Tlio chairman: The Opposition of tho past. (Laughter.) Contimiing, ho said that ho would be very sorry if as a politician he could not seo niorit in a man because ho could not see through his (the speaker's) political spectacles. Any words that fell from liiin had no political significance. Mr. Mackenzie was tho best man they could send Homo in their interests. Ho might bo alone in holding that opinion, but he possessed tho courage of his opinion. He held the opinion before he got Mr. Roberts's letter, and thought that perhaps it would help Mr. Jlassex in tho matter if an expression of opinion on the subject came from Canterbury. They wero largely interested in Canterbury in the frozen meat industry, and personally ho considered that Mr! Mackenzie's appointment would ,bp in tho interests of tho farmers, and. that there was no other man in the Dominion so well ablo to fill the position. He would bo pleased to think that Mr. Massey had anticipated them in the matter, and he thought it would bo a graceful act on Mr. Massey's part and would be carrying out tho wishes of a large number of men ho (the speaker) had spoken to, if Mr. Massey moved in tho direction indicated. It was for the executivo to discuss whether it would bo wiso for it to move in the matter, but when ho got Mr. .Roberts's letter it, struck a responsive chord in. himself. Ho recognised, however, that .the matter was one in which'lie,' as president of the executive, could riot undertake •to voice tho opinions of the other members of tho executive. His own opinion was that Mr. Mackenzie, having been in London previously, and being in touch with matters connected with the frozen meat trade, would be an invaluable man to represent th& producers of the Dominion at Home. Mr. W. T. Lill seconded, and said that ho was not a strong party man, and believed that tho best men should be in the best places. Tho present Government might adopt the idea of appointing aman belonging to their party, but ho hoped that the leader of the Government would bo above adopting such a principle. If the party did adopt it, and could not rise above it, it would soon have him above it, as ho was not tied to anyone who would play the fool, and he had a vote. Mr. Evaus: Yes, one vote, the samo as I have got. 'Mr. Lill: Mo and my wifo and my boys number about twenty. If Mr. Massey gets his back up because wo make this rccommendntion he will find us on his back.. He added that Mr. Mackenzie had learned his job, and would, if appointed, go Homo with a knowledge of all the details.

Mr. G. Gardner expressed tho opinion that the duties of High Commissioner were too big for 0113 man, and lie wouiil like to see a man appointed to look after the Dominion's frozer. moat and butter trades, and the question of immigration. Mr. G. \V. Leadloy said that it was to bo regretted that the question could not be discussed without bringing in the question of political parties. He did not look upon the question as a party one, but as one that concerncd the interests of the whole Dominion, and of vital importance of those interest?. Tho time had arrived, and more than arrived, when they should have in London ft gentleman representing the Dominion who was thoroughly 'in touch with tho producers of the Dominion and their requirements. It had been unfortunate for the Dominion that it had been represented by a gentleman who. on account of ill-health, liiul been unable to give that attention to his duties that their importance 'demanded. Mr. Mackenzie knew the Dominion's requirements as 110 other man ctrakl 110ssiibly know them, having had experience at. T.he London end for three or four years as representative of tile associated cooperative societies cf New Zealand. He thought that it was of tho very first importance that they should seize the opportunity with both hands and secure tiio services of a gentleman emir.ept.ly fitted to fill the position. He predicted for Ncw Zealand in the next few years sucli a period ol' prosperity and advancement as had nover been seen before. Their trade was only just beginning to open up, and the Dominion's produce was only beginning to bo popular among •■omnninities that appreciated a hieli standard of quality. The development of the Dominion's trade was going to create such a strong demand for articles that tho New Zealand farmer could sunply «uch o.s had never been experienced before. He referred to the possibilities, of trade with Germany and with tho Eastern States of America when the Panama Canal was opened in two or threa years' time. In consequence of thes-3 developments, lie predicted that the Dominion's exportable wealth would increase bv leaps ■ and bounds, and added that with a safe and secure land system and the settlement of the North Island native lands, the Dominion's exports were goin.7 to extend to a degree "that we wot not of." They did not want as High Commissioner a figure-head, iv man strutting about in a Windsor uniform attending Court levees, but a man capable of keeping his hand on the pulse of trade, and who knew what the Dominion's capabilities were. He heartily endorsed the proposition of the chairman. (Applause.)

Mr. It. Evans said that he would be very glad to ?eo Mr. Mackenzie, who had been an cxccllcnt Minister for Agriculture, appointed High Commissioner, but nt the Mine time he feared that' they might hamper the Government by l'orwardins tho recommendation. Mr. Leudloy: But we are not. dictating to tlio Government; we arc only making a suggestion. Mr. Wilfred Hall said that he agreed to a certain extent with Mr. Evans, but he did -not suppose that Mr. Masney would attach much importance to tlio executive's opinion if lis found it inconvenient to fall in with its -.-econ) in en elation, and to thatextent the executivo would not be hampering Mr. Massev, but would be simply expressing. its opinion, which lie thought was a vw.r good one. Thu motion was unanimously agreed to. and the chairman staled that lie would telegraph the executive's resolution to Mr. Mosfcy forthwith.