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Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1926, Page 2

The appointment of Sir James Panto the High Comissioner.sliip is not being acclaimed with any chorus of general approbation. In most, instances the appointment is being damne dwitli faint praise—even by Government organs. Sir James lias proved a. very loquacious Minister and strange to say lias not been popular with bis party, according to report. However, Sir Janies lias ‘‘got there.” and must have some merit and ability. or surely the Prime Minister would not, entrust him with the important position lie is now to fill. The post is one which is growing more and more important as .New Zealand grows in .stature. Sir James Allen has been a. busy mail with many added duties to the office, since the Great War. The relations of all the Dominions with the Motherland have been of marked importance of late, and the tendency is to increase the duties of the High Commissioner, who was once known as an agent-general. Tine latter name perhaps best describes the office, for the official is in greater sense an agent rather than a commissioner. Sir James Parr has qualifies which may appear to bettor advantage as the repiv.-seillative of New Zealand at Home than as Minister of the Crown here. He ; s ambitions certainly, and with the amount of ballast acquired while a Minister should comport himself with not a. little .satisfaction. Sir Janies ,is perhaps diUpo'sod /to 'talk rather much for talking* sake, and .supply quantity before quality. The position at Home calls for much discretion. and il Sir James cun school himself to that end he should go far. There are of course limitations to that position in that he is under direct orders, hut going direct from the Ca-binet-room he lias acquired personal knowledge of (many Imperial questions which have been debated in his presence*, and should know the n,i"*l of the Government very elei.-'y. On the whole vy feel that Sir Janies 1 ail will he able to fill the hill mil ai all discreditably, and with his enthusiasm and ambit ion. may go farther than his predecessors in the use he makes of tin:' opportunities afforded by his high office. New Zealand can do with all the advertising at Home it can receive, and if Sir James becomes a good public ity agent lie will ha well on the road to success. His departure will leave a vacancy which must, lie filled. Indeed there are two Cabinet vacancies to till, and it. is expected that Mr Williams (North Isaiid) and Jones (South Island) will ho the chosen. It is not improbable when Sir Jnnio.s Allen returns he may he the leader of the Upper House.