THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 101, 23 January 1920, Page 8

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Sir,—Tho most impoitant appointment for the consideration of the Government at the present time is that of the High Commissioner. In tho present state of disorganisation of tho commerce of the Dominion, it is essential that the country should bo represented in London by a man of large business experience and ability. ■ Prior to tho appointment of the present High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Mackenzie) it had been the custom to appoint some politician who had deserved well of his party or one whom the Government of the day looked upon as rather a thorn in their side, and advisable to get rid of, or as likely to he a credit to tho Dominion socially, and they have generally been devoid of commercial ability, aud the Dominion, has from a business point of view suffered accordingly. At the pnisent time it is necessary more than, ever in fact it is imperative, that the position should be filled by u man of undoubted commercial ability. Next year, we are told, there is going to be an Empire exhibition, and it is to be hoped that New Zealand will make 1 - a better showing than it did in tho Franco-British Exhibition in 1908, when our exhibit was a disgraco to the Dominion. I was thero and I know how our office in London was starved for want of money. As one instance out of many, they could not keep the New Zealand court open to the same time, by some hours, as the other courts for want of money to pay for- the lights. The court itself was an architectural disgrace, and the whole affair was petty in the extreme. It is said that the Imperial Government wish the Dominion to have a political Irepiiessntfitive rosidenl) in London. If so, let one 1)0 appointed, hut let it be separate from the High Comnr'ssioner'si office. Tt is imperative that whoever is appointed to that office should be one of tho highest commercial ability obtainable. Sir Thomas Mackenzie has filled the position of High Com-' miss'onor with considerable ability, in fact it is generally conceded that he has been quite a success, and ho is. I know, thought very highly of by all classes of the community, at Home. He had commercial experifnef before his appointment, and ho has had some eight years' experience in his present office. Would it not be well to induce him to continuo in tho office a few years loncT, and not swap horses while crossing the stream? If a better man is to bo found, well and good. Sccure him. But let mo cinphasiso the fact that it is imperative, in the present state of commercial disorganisation, that tho appointment should be given to a man of tho best commercial ability obtainable, irrespective of any political qualifications. —I am, etc., ' H. D. VAVASOUK, Ucbrooke, Blenheim. January 19, 1920.