THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 14, 11 October 1919, Page 8

THE HIGH COMMISSIONERSHIP

AND our COMMANDEERED PRODUCE. Sir,—The following is the concluding portion of n very important speech delivered in London, by Sir Thomas Mackenzie at a meeting of the Cold Storage and lee Association, of which he is a. past-president and now vice-president:— ".May I just say a word in reference to the remarks made by the president regarding my services in this country? I appreciate* them very much indeed, and'as to the brief renewals, notice of which appear in the Press here, I can assure tin is gathering that tliev are not made at my request, fin the aontmrj. an assured (enure greatly assists the interests that 1 represent in this country. There is important work ahead to be done, and my services here are at- the disposal of the Government if they wish to retain them; if not, then I hope l there may be an opportunity for utilising them for the benefit of ilio Dominion o! New Zealand." I cannot claim a personal friendship with Sir Thomas Mackenzie, nor am T his apologist, but we are dealing with a question at variance with official information so frequently published here in tlio absence of tlio Prime Minister, and as the retention of Sir Thomas Mackenzie's service as High Commissioner is of such vital moinwit, the. various branches of the Farmers' Union should demand an extension of his term of office for a reasonable period now that

we know liis services are at t'he disposal of tlm Dominion, Ills spcecli at the meeting alluded to, which is fully reported in "The Financier," is worthy of perusal by wry producer, as be deals trenchantly uml fully with a subject which is cxercising their minds at the moment and from the practical point of view. He stresses ono mint which is of the greatest importance: that it lias been costing tlio rtoitb Government from 2d. to sd. per lb. to distribute our frozen meat, which in pre-war days was done by privatu traders 'appointed by ourselves for onesixteenth of a. penny to a farthing jW lb. If 1 can read between the lines of Ins speech, he is' not favourable to a renewal of the commandeo'', and believe* (ihat if the producers of the past managed, unaided l»y Government, or any oilier.control, to inaugurate such an important industry, their successor.* can be trusted, ami are o.ijite capable to manage their own affairs' in the future. Risks were undertaken and overcome successfully in the past, and can and will be done so again. In saying this much I am not belittling the services of Mr. Massey, as we. are all indebted to him for liis conscientious labours on our behalf, which we will not forget, but the war is fortunately over, and we feel perfectly able to handle tlio ribbons ourselves, and we don't want fo swop horses li-ben crossing the stream.—l am, etc., PRIMARY PRODUCER.