HIGH COMMISSIONER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1507, 1 August 1912, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER.

hon: t. Mackenzie appointed, THREE. YEAR TERM. ACCESS TO NKW MARKETS. The nppoinltnput of a High C'ommta .sidfier (o succeed Sir Win, Hal]-,fours was announced by (ho Prime Minister in the Hunse of liepre.seiitatives at J.M p.m. yesterday. "Tlio Gnvernnirat have offered the post 0 111211 Cmnmi-sioner (:> the Hon. Thus. JiaekensiiV," said Mr. Slassey, "and (hat gentleman has intimated to us liis intention <j1 accepting it. ■ I need hardly re--'inmd* hon:' members' that Mr.' Mackenzie' has hail-a very inn;,' eiiiumercial oxjieriejieo iii (his counh-y, lie iias had considerable experience in Loudon, and., ho has had a long political career.' 1 fool curtain (hat, with his qitaiilipalHins and experience. lio> will lie able, in (.ho pa-ition of High Commissioner, In carry out its <ln(i<>.s with credit to himself and benefit to flic Dominion. I. intend, within the next, few (lays, to ask his Jixcollenoy the Governor (o.iuake the appointment, and. I may saythat the Government have made arrangements with Sir.. Pnlli.-er, in London, to carry 011 tho duties of the oHico .until (ho new Commissioner reaches London, JJr, .l'alliser has giv-aii every satisfaction in the discharge of his duties up to the present (imp, and X have not the very slightest doubt that lie will continue to do so. Sir Joseph Ward: How long is the appointment tor? Tho I'rimo Minister: Three years. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated Mr. Mackenzie upon his appointment, and . endorsed what flip Prime Minister had said in regard to Sir. Mackenzie's qualification*. Jli) hoped 1 hat .(lie new! High Commissioner, would be very successful, and would have a very useful career in London. Sir Joseph AVard endorsed tlio - enccmhims pronounced by tlio l'rime Minister upon Mr. Pnlliser. Tho latter was a very capable man, who would do his duty, and do it welt to (ho Governuipiit; of tho'day a,nil to tlio High Commissioner, whoever he mi|;ht tic. Mr. G. W. Husscll congratulated Mr, ' Mackenzie upon obtaining Clip blue ribbon of tho public service in New Zealand. Mr. Mackenzie was a limn of untiring energy, intrepid, courage, and very considerable ability. Mr. T. M. Wilford also congratulated Mr. Mackenzie. At (lie same time, he said, they should not forget (ho good work done by Sir. William Hall-,tones, He condcinne.l (ho locale of (lie High Commissioner's ollicss 111 London. The position was a disgrace, lie also (houg)it (fie salary paid (o.lho.Xew Zealand Uiglu Com-. . missioned whs inadequate.- Xew Zealand- 1 ■■ oNo required Representation in America, wlipro very little wa« known about. Xew ZoalAnd. We were very much in tho background iu regard to advertising our country. Mr.' Jiuddb added his congtaliilations,. The position was o>senlially one to be filled by.a farmers' representative. 'The Hon.-'Thomas SUiekenzie faid he was very deeply conscious of (he great honour, .(hot had been conferred upon him,. by the Government. He could all (Ik more do sb beeause it was ail act 011 (heii part promoted in the best interests ol'tlie Homiuion. lie wished at the same time to thank these who had spoken so kindly of his qualifications fur (lie office. Ho knmv - (hat tho work would lx> work of an arduous and responsible nature, and that tliero •.voto matters connected with hude andfinnnco that required able work., AVh«: (her he could fulfil the requirement, l ! remained to lie seen. He w'ould do his best. ' 0110 of the most important matters that, would require attention in the future would bo access for our trade into some of (he Knropean ■countries. (Hear, hear.) 110 .. hoped to ,liave an opportunity of confer- , ring with flip Leader of (he llouyo 011 this matter, and to' put before hiiu some ideas (hot he had' in Ithat respect. He would endeavour to uphold the honour and reputation of cur country in tho Old Land. (Hear, hear.) Ho wished also (0 express his agreement with the remarks that had been mude 111 regard to Mr. l'alliser's service--.. In conclusion, he-wished (o say that he wad (trendy encourngod by tho 'many letters hp hod received from, all over' New Zealand in regard (0 his'suitability for the 'appointment., Jlc was also encouraged by (he many friendly prow notices that had fcjon published. ..lie had not by any act directly or indirectly communicated with tho Government regarding any of these recommendations, so . (hat tlio Govcrmno'ut were quite free lo act os (hev liked. • • •>>;..<»> Jfr. lAfackeitzie resumed'his scat a'nilils't''" ' hearty applause.