SIR T. MACKENZIE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1920, Page 4

SIR T. MACKENZIE.

AN INTERESTING LETTER. WELLINGTON, Sept. 15. In a private letter which lie lias written to friends in New Zealand, Sir Thomas Mackenzie refers to the relinquishment of liis office as High Commissioner. The office, lie says, went through strenuous times, and dealt with very weighty problems during the war. The amount of money that passed through the Department during his term must, he says, have run into between two and three hundred millions

sterling. Difficult and delicate negotiations bad to be conducted, our soldiers cared for, and many matters of Imperial and New Zealand concern attendee! to. In all bis work he was loyally supported by bis staff. He refers with gratification to the generous manner in which he has been treated by tho people) of the "United Kingdom during bis stay, and more especially on tiie eve of his departure. While appreciating the splendid qualities of the British race, he expresses the opinion that they still take matters too lightly in some respects. The Germans are getting access to the country again, and lie fears that their methods of the past may ho again adopted in the future. Referring to the possibility of bis returning via .America, Sir'Thomas mentions that'ho had an interview with two very able Americans, who desired him to go to New York, in order that be might be shown something of tho methods of the Meat Trust there. They were connected with a paper called the “Globe,” that was struggling to place foodstuffs within the reach of the people at a minimum cost, and they said they were connected wth firms that could purchase the meat from our farmers at a slightly higher price than was now being paid by the British Government. They spoke of tho enormous prices now being paid for meat in America. “If,” Sir Thomas adds, “I go to America, I hope to learn a good deal about the prospects of trade between the United States and our country. We require markets, and the more markets we have the greater will he the prospects for the profitable occupation of our country. “Recent consignments of New Zealand apples opened out in England in' excellent condition, and the fruit was much admired. He believes there is a great future for our fruit trade in the Mother Country. Ho mentions that the King was very grateful for New Zealand’s reception of the Prince of Wales.