High Commissioner.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1922, Page 4

High Commissioner.

AN EXPENSIVE OFFICE. WELLINGTON, Jan. 19 Tlie High jCoimnissioner for New Zealand in London, who is an oflieer undei contract, is one of the few persons excluded from the operation of retrenchment. Air Massey explained this to the House to-night, and was promptly informed by Dr Thacker that the High Commissioner’S office was tremendously expensive. It used to cost 916,000 per annum, but had gone up £45,000. Mr Massey: You are inaccurate, because you are quoting the “Lyttelton Times.” The expenditure six or eight years ago was £16,000, he continued, but there was a big increase m duties owing to the war. He had looked into the position when he was in London, and was surprised at the large amount the High Commissioner had to spend for living. His private expenditure f or a flat for his family was £7OOO per annum. He had indicated to Sir James Allen what was going on in New Zealand, and there would he considerable reduction in bis estimates next year. There was 131 officers employed on the Commissioner’s staff. Hr Thacker: Now you have admitted 1 am right, and you are going to re-

duce. i ~ ~ Mr Massey: No. You said the increases had all taken place in the last

year or two. l)r Thacker: No, 1 said what 1 want

ed to say. Mr Massey: T know the cost has gone up too much. The Prime Minister added, in reply to interjections, that arrangements were being made to increase" the proportion pf New Zealanders ,on the liigh .Compiissioner’s staff.